Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | August 10, 2024
Friday’s victory included a number of historical accomplishments for several Rockies players.
Game Story
Atlanta announced their arrival to Denver with a bang, using a first-inning homer from Marcell Ozuna to jump out to a 1-0 lead.
The Rockies didn’t break through on the scoreboard until the third, when they scored three times. Charlie Blackmon started the rally with a single and scored two batters later on a Brenton Doyle two-run homer. Doyle’s big fly was his 20th of the season, making him the 10th player in franchise history to record a season with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases (20/20 club).
Following Doyle, Ryan McMahon worked a walk and stole second, then scored on a Brendan Rodgers RBI single, extending the Colorado lead to 3-1.
The Rockies bolstered their lead in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs. Michael Toglia began the inning with a four-pitch walk and scored on an Elias Díaz RBI double. Later, Charlie Blackmon ripped a base hit, driving in Díaz, lifting the Rockies to a 5-1 advantage.
In the fifth inning, Colorado starter Tanner Gordon was a victim of some bad luck. After striking out Ramón Laureano to start the frame, Jarred Kelenic doubled on a sinking liner that deflected off the glove of a diving Kris Bryant in right field. Then, Whit Merrifield lofted a softly-hit single into the expansive Coors Field outfield, allowing Kelenic to score and close the gap to 5-2.
Fortunately, Tanner Gordon was able to escape the fifth without allowing another earned run, in what ended up being his last inning of work. In total, Gordon pitched five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits while stiking out a career-high seven hitters.
The Braves rallied to tie the game in the seventh against the Colorado bullpen. Ramón Laureano started the rally with a solo homer against Justin Lawrence, who had pitched a scoreless sixth inning prior. After giving up a single to Jarred Kelenic and striking out Whit Merrifield, Rockies manager Bud Black elected to replace Lawrence with Angel Chivilli to face slugger Jorge Soler.
In the ensuing at-bat, Soler launched a towering two run homer to left field, tying the game, 5-5.
In the bottom of the inning, the Rockies reclaimed the lead against Atlanta reliever A.J. Minter. Brenton Doyle started the inning with a double, and Ryan McMahon followed suit with his own two-bagger, pushing across the go-ahead run.
After a scoreless eighth inning from both sides, the Rockies entered the ninth clinging to a one-run lead, and Bud Black called on rookie Victor Vodnik to secure the save. After surrenduring a leadoff single to Jarred Kelenic, Vodnik settled in, retiring Merrifield, Soler, and Austin Riley in order to end the game. Vodnik closed the game out by striking out Riley on a 100.5mph fastball, earning his seventh save.
Quotes
Rockies manager Bud Black on Tanner Gordon’s start: “He threw the ball well. I thought his combination of pitches worked today. His fastball was sneaky… The slider played tonight, he threw some good changeups. He made some pitches when he needed to… He pitched well.”
Tanner Gordon on facing his former organization: “It feels really good… There’s no bad blood with me and the Braves. They treated me well just like the Rockies are treating me well. I think more than anything it was just a cool experience.”
Brenton Doyle on joining the 20-20 club: “Huge personal goal of mine. Pretty exclusive club. I’m glad I’m able to display both power and speed in my game and contribute to some wins.”
Notes
Tanner Gordon’s performance made him the first Rockies rookie to log least seven strikeouts while issuing no walks since Germán Márquez in 2017.
Victor Vodnik recorded his seventh save of the season, converting his seventh-straight successful save opportunity, becoming the first Rockie to convert at least seven-straight save opportunities in a season since Pierce Johnson in 2021.
Celebrating his birthday on Friday, Brendan Rodgers went 2-for-3 and has hit safely in 36 of his last 37 games at Coors Field, batting .371 over that span.
What’s Next for the Colorado Rockies?
On Saturday, the Braves and Rockies will play the middle game of the three-game weekend series. Probable starters are LHP Max Fried (7-6, 3.40 ERA) for Atlanta and RHP Dakota Hudson (2-12, 5.84 ERA) for Colorado. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 MT.
Story by Noah Spirek.
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