TAMPA, Fla. — Rockies Report, Game 1:
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies squandered a Kyle Freeland gem, losing a 2-0 lead to fall 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays on a walk-off Kameron Misner blast.
Freeland delivered six scoreless innings but was pulled after just 67 pitches.
Reliever Tyler Kinley was ineffective in the seventh inning, immediately allowing a Brandon Lowe single, a Junior Caminero double, a Jonathan Aranda sacrifice fly and a walk before Black pulled him in favor of Angel Chivilli, who surrendered an RBI single to Jonny DeLuca before limiting the damage, leaving the game tied after seven.
Victor Vodnik then delivered a perfect eighth inning, leaving the game deadlocked, but Misner crushed his 97-MPH fastball over the right-field fence to decide matters.
STARTER’S REPORT: Freeland was brilliant, but left with no decision as he was pulled after six scoreless innings and just 67 pitches.
Freeland opened the afternoon with 3 1/3 perfect innings before a Yandy Diaz dribbler barely eluded the grasp of third baseman Ryan McMahon. But two pitches later, Brandon Lowe lined to Michael Toglia, leading to an unassisted double play.
Before giving way to reliever Tyler Kinley, Freeland allowed just two hits and no walks while striking out seven.
There must be something about the Sunshine State that brings out the best in the pride of Thomas Jefferson H.S., because this was his finest season-opening start since 2019, when he opened the campaign at Miami by allowing the Marlins just 2 hits over 7 innings.
Freeland outdueled Rays ace Ryan Pepiot, who was strong in his own right, scattering six hits and a walk over six innings, surrendering two runs, one earned.
IT WAS DECIDED WHEN: Misner crushed Vodnik’s first pitch of the ninth inning over the right-field fence.
NUMBER TO NOTE: 67 — The number of pitches required for Freeland to complete his six innings of scoreless ball. He faced just two batters above the minimum in his workday.
UNIFORM: Black hat with purple bill, purple jersey, gray pants.
WHAT’S NEXT: Game 2 of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday at 2:10 p.m. MDT. Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, who returned from Tommy John surgery last September, is scheduled to start. He made three starts in his return last season, posting a 1.865 WHIP and a 6.57 ERA, but was promising in six Cactus League appearance, notching a 0.896 WHIP and a 1.21 ERA while scatting 16 hits and 4 walks over 22 1/3 innings.
