July 5th 2024.
Jake Cave has been an integral part of the Rockies' success this season, making impressive plays in the outfield, taking advantage of opportunities on the basepaths, and uplifting his teammates with his energy and enthusiasm. And on Thursday night, he truly lit up the field.
In the sixth inning, Cave blasted a solo home run straight to dead center, propelling Colorado to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in front of a lively crowd of 48,705 at Coors Field. It was his first homer of the season, a powerful shot that traveled an impressive 430 feet. The last time Cave hit a home run was back on August 20th of last year when he played for the Phillies, so this was a long-awaited and well-deserved moment for him. And it also broke his streak of 208 at-bats without a home run.
When he returned to the dugout, Cave was greeted with the classic silent treatment, a prank usually reserved for rookies who hit their first career homer. The one behind this joke was none other than third baseman Ryan McMahon, and Cave couldn't help but laugh and enjoy the moment.
"I've done it to guys before, too. I was so pumped up I didn't know what was happening at first as I came down the stairs," Cave said, reflecting on the playful prank. "Then I realized they were doing the silent treatment. It was cool. It was fun."
Manager Bud Black was ecstatic for Cave, a player who embodies the kind of passion and grit that Black admires. "He's been playing a fantastic all-around game for the past couple of months," Black praised. "He knows how to play the game and brings unbelievable energy every day, in the dugout and in the clubhouse. He's a gritty player, and I believe there's more to come from him."
Pitcher Cal Quantrill also played a huge role in the Rockies' victory, battling through a tough game and giving his team a chance to win. "I see my job as giving my team a chance to win every fifth day," Quantrill explained. "Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard. Tonight it was exceptionally hard. I really didn't have very good stuff. But the way I look at it, if it's a 'C' game and the team gets a win, it's hard not to be excited about that."
Quantrill pitched five innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out two and walking four. Although he wasn't at his best, he still managed to set the Rockies up for success and maintain a solid 3.03 ERA in his last 12 starts dating back to May 3rd.
The game was not without some tense moments, as Quantrill briefly left the field in the third inning after tweaking his hamstring while making a play at first base. But he returned and continued to fight through the game, despite facing some challenges in the fourth inning when he walked three batters, allowing the Brewers to score two runs and tie the game. Quantrill later revealed that his hamstring was not the cause of his struggles, rather he was trying too hard to be too precise with his pitches.
The Rockies' offense came through with timely hits, giving them an early 3-0 lead. Charlie Blackmon's hustle and determination were on full display as he hit a single in the first inning, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on McMahon's double to left. In the second inning, Blackmon hit a two-run double that was a bit of a fluke, but his hustle paid off as he reached second base, allowing two runs to score.
The bullpen, which has been a bit shaky for the Rockies this season, came through in the clutch, with Tyler Kinley pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Jalen Beeks earning his seventh save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of his own. Beeks' biggest moment came in the eighth inning when he struck out Brewers' pinch-hitter Garrett Mitchell with a blazing 96 mph fastball with two men on base. He then sealed the deal in the ninth inning, getting All-Star Christian Yelich to ground out for the final out.
The Rockies will look to continue their winning streak in their upcoming games against the Kansas City Royals, with Kyle Freeland taking the mound on Friday and looking to build on his impressive performances since coming off the injured list. Freeland has a 1.42 ERA in his last two starts, despite not getting a win.
The matchup on Saturday will feature a battle between Seth Lugo and Austin Gomber, while on Sunday, Brady Singer will face off against Ryan Feltner. With the Rockies finally finding some consistency and momentum, it will be an exciting series to watch. And if they keep playing with the same passion and determination, there's no doubt that more victories are on the horizon.
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