September 17th 2024.
Monday night's main event featured the highly anticipated return of right-hander Antonio Senzatela, who was making his comeback after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. However, it was the Rockies' impressive ninth-inning comeback and solid performance from their bullpen that stole the show and brought the crowd to their feet.
In a close game at Coors Field, the Rockies edged out the Diamondbacks with a 3-2 victory thanks to a costly throwing error by shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. The game-winning run was scored by Brenton Doyle, who led off the inning with a single and then stole second base, his second stolen base of the night. Arizona intentionally walked Ryan McMahon, hoping to induce a double play, but their plan backfired when Brendan Rodgers grounded out to second baseman Ketel Marte. Marte made a good play to get the ball to Perdomo at second base, but Perdomo's throw to first base sailed wide, allowing Doyle to score the winning run.
Doyle's speed on the bases was a crucial factor in the Rockies' victory, with manager Bud Black commenting on how it can make a difference in close games against experienced relief pitchers. Black also praised the team's overall performance, acknowledging that both the Rockies and the Diamondbacks played well throughout the game.
For the D-Backs, it was a costly loss as they continue to fight for a wild-card playoff spot. They had been dominating the Rockies in recent matchups, but this time they were unable to hold onto their early 2-0 lead. Arizona's offense, which had been averaging 8.1 runs per game in their last seven games, was limited to just two runs by Colorado's revamped and rejuvenated bullpen.
Black had high praise for his bullpen, particularly the six innings pitched by rookie pitchers who kept the Diamondbacks scoreless. Lefty Luis Peralta, in particular, recorded his 10th consecutive scoreless outing, just one shy of tying the record for most consecutive scoreless appearances to start a career as a Rockie. The bullpen's solid performance allowed the Rockies to stay in the game despite only having three hits through the first eight innings.
The Rockies' offense came alive in the late innings, with Ezequiel Tovar hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning and rookie catcher Hunter Goodman adding another solo homer in the seventh. Tovar, who had struck out twice against Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly, was determined to make good contact and hit the ball hard, and he did just that, tying Michael Toglia for the team lead in home runs.
For Senzatela, it had been 495 days since his last start in a major league game, and he was understandably nervous but excited to be back on the mound. Despite a shaky start, he settled in and gave a decent performance, pitching three-plus innings and allowing two runs on four hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. His fastball, which reached 98.0 mph, was the fastest he had thrown since 2022.
Senzatela was happy with his outing and felt confident and ready for his next start. He also acknowledged the support of his teammates and the importance of finishing the season strong. The D-Backs got off to a quick start, with Corbin Carroll hitting a leadoff triple and Marte following it up with a two-run homer. However, Senzatela was able to shut them down for the rest of his start, and the bullpen took care of the rest.
Overall, Black was pleased with Senzatela's performance, especially considering it was his first start in over a year. He noted that the right-hander's fastball had some extra life to it and was impressed with his use of off-speed pitches, including a curveball that struck out Joc Pederson. Kelly also pitched well for the D-Backs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rockies' late-game surge.
The win was a much-needed boost for the Rockies, who have been struggling in the second half of the season. It was also a reminder that anything can happen in a close game, especially when speed is a factor. As the Rockies continue to rebuild and improve, their bullpen will continue to play a crucial role in their success. Want to stay up to date on all things Rockies? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all the latest MLB analysis.
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