It was a s’ocat kind of game.
Kyle Freeland’s excellent start to 2025 took a hit tonight as the Rockies lost to the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-1.
The Brewers arrived at Coors Field with a decimated pitching staff. Still, they had their ace, Freddy Peralta, who kept the Colorado Rockies on their heels for the first half of the game with the Brew Crew’s bullpen — including old friend Nick Mears — locking down the win.
Freeland’s sweeper continues to work — but it’s not enough
Freeland started out strong, retiring the first six batters he faced. That all changed in the third when the Brewers tagged Freeland for five hits and four runs.
Another miracle stop by Gold Glove shortstop Ezequiel Tovar ended the inning.
In the fourth, Freeland settled in, pitched through the fifth and sixth, and came back to start the seventh.
At first, he seemed strong as his pitch count approached 100. However, he gave up a 444-ft. home run to Brice Turang, and his evening was over.
Freeland finished with 6.1 IP, including eight hits, five runs (all earned). He struck out five, and gave up one home run and zero walks.
He left the game with the Brewers leading, 5-1.
The bullpen was not helpful
Jimmy Herget entered the game in relief of Freeland and promptly gave up home runs to Christian Yelich and William Contreras. Tyler Kinley was effective in the seventh, retiring the Brewers in order, as was Angel Chivilli.
The pitching staff combined for seven strikeouts.
The Rockies offense falters (again)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Rockies offense was ineffective.
When Peralta struggled early to establish the fastball, the Rockies failed to capitalize. Brenton Doyle would get the Rockies on the board at the bottom of third, hitting a home run, his second of the season, off a hanging curveball. It was followed by a rare Tovar walk and another by Ryan McMahon. However, the Rockies were unable to score runners after a Kris Bryant strikeout and a Kyle Farmer groundout.
By the fourth inning, however, Peralta’s fastball was up in the zone and working. The Rockies strikeouts followed with the bullpen picking up where Peralta left off after the fifth inning. Peralta finished with 5.0 IP, three hits, one run (earned), three walks, six strike outs, and one home run.
Not everything was awful, however.
In the sixth, Zac Veen brought his patented chaos to Coors Field, getting his first MLB hit on a bunt. A throwing error by Abner Uribe saw Veen landing on second base and advancing Kyle Farmer to third. It was an unconventional first hit, but it worked.
However, Jacob Stallings struck out (his third of four) to end the rally.
After that, it was mostly strikeouts and missed opportunities. The Rockies finished with 14 Ks. (Peralta accounting for six and the bullpen eight.) The Rockies were 0-8 with runners in scoring position.
Whether Freeland could have fared better with some run support is a question is a question worth debating.
Other notes
Michael Toglia continues as the Rockies’ First Base Ironman. Tonight marked his 100th consecutive start, meaning he passed Andres Galarraga (99) for most consecutive games started at first base in franchise history.
It is also the second-longest stretch of consecutive starts at any defensive position in franchise history, trailing Vinny Castilla’s franchise record of 222 consecutive team games at third base. So he has a ways to go before breaking that record.
Also worth noting is that Mickey Moniak had some defensive gems tonight, including an impressive catch of a Joey Ortiz line drive in the ninth inning.
The Rockies will try to win Game 2 tomorrow night behind the pitching of Antonio Senzatela.
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