CLEVELAND — By winning two of three games here from the Guardians, the Rockies provided a flicker of hope that things will get better.
Specifically, they received solid starts from right-hander Ryan Feltner (six innings, one run, five hits, six strikeouts, no walks) and left-hander Austin Gomber (five innings, no runs, three hits, three strikeouts, three walks). They also received solid work from their bullpen. Plus, they got an enticing glimpse of centerfielder Brenton Doyle’s potential. He made his major league debut in the first game of the Cleveland series and went 3-for-11 with a double and two steals over his first three games. He showed plus-speed on the bases and in the outfield.
“To have that element of speed — he brings the power element, too — that’s a different type of addition to an offense,” manager Bud Black said. “We needed a little spark, and he was able to provide that with the stolen base. One guy can put pressure on the opponent … it would be nice to have a couple more, but that’s not our roster.”
The Rockies (8-18) open a six-game homestand Friday night against Arizona (14-12) at Coors Field. The young and athletic Diamondbacks are the early leaders in the National League West.
The season is not quite a month old but some numbers spell out the type of club the Rockies have been:
Ugly start: The Rockies have opened the season with their worst record since 2005. The ’05 team was 6-20 after its first 26 games and finished 67-95. By the way, Colorado’s average home attendance was 23,634 in 2005, the lowest in franchise history.
Slow footed: The Rockies have stolen five bases. Only Minnesota, with two, has fewer. Pittsburgh, 17-8 entering Thursday’s home game against the Dodgers, leads the majors with 34 steals.
Power outage: The Rockies enter the Diamondbacks series having hit 25 home runs, tied for 24th. Their .677 OPS ranks 22nd.
Cron conundrum: First baseman C.J. Cron, the club’s only All-Star last season, leads the team with five home runs, but he’s hitting just .221, with an on-base percentage of .256. He returns home carrying a 2-for-21 slump.
Rotation worries: The extent of right-hander German Marquez‘s triceps injury will be determined by the MRI he was scheduled to undergo on Thursday. If Marquez goes back on the injured list for the second time this season, that will exacerbate an already difficult situation.
Rockies starters enter the weekend with a 5.92 ERA, the fourth-highest in the majors. There have been some bright spots, namely Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28 ERA) and rookie Noah Davis (0-0, 0.93 ERA after two starts), but the overall numbers are ominous. Colorado’s strikeout rate (7.10 per nine innings) ranks 29th and its 3.92 walks per nine is the sixth-highest. The 26 homers surrendered are the third most in the majors.
The Rockies designated struggling right-hander Jose Urena for assignment on Thursday, leaving the rotation thin, but Antonio Senzatela is getting close to returning from knee surgery. The right-hander is slated to make a second rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday and throw 75-90 pitches.
Friday’s Pitching Matchup
Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (1-3, 3.42 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (2-2, 4.28)
6:40 p.m. Friday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Freeland has been relatively solid in the early going, but home runs have hurt him. He gave up three homers in Colorado’s 4-3 loss at Philadelphia last weekend and has served up six long balls in his five starts. He’s made 17 career starts against Arizona, going 3-6 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.462 WHIP. The D-Backs have launched 17 homers off the left-hander.
Kelly is coming off a poor showing against the Padres. Over five innings, he gave up four runs and three hits, and most disconcerting, he walked five. Kelly threw only 54 of 94 pitches for strikes. He walked four batters in each of his first three starts. In four career starts at Coors Field, Kelly is 2-2 with a 6.20 ERA with five homers served up.
Pitching probables
Saturday: Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (0-0, 6.23) at Rockies RHP Noah Davis (0-0, 0.93), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-1, 5.33) at Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (1-4, 9.28), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Off day
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