Quality start doesn’t begin to describe Austin Gomber’s performance.
How about dominating? Or commanding? Or just plain terrific?
Whatever the adjective, Gomber sparkled in the Rockies’ 3-1 win over the Nationals on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C.
“He’s a pitcher,” Rockies manager Bud Black told reporters. “He’s a guy who relies on all of his stuff and knows how to use it.”
The left-hander, throwing a confounding curveball, was in command for all seven innings. His one mistake was giving up a leadoff homer to CJ Abrams in the sixth on a 1-1 fastball.
Gomber yielded just three hits, struck out five and walked two. He was efficient, too, throwing 96 pitches, 63 for strikes. It marked the second time in his career that he pitched seven innings and allowed three hits or fewer.
“The whole mix of pitches was outstanding,” Black said. “The fastball had good location, the slider was good, and he had a good hook tonight. They had a lot of lefties, so the slider and the hook came into play tonight.
“Against the righties, Austin had a good fastball on both sides (of the plate), and had a good changeup and a good curve, too. ‘Gomby’ has done a pretty good job all year. There have been a couple of hiccups here and there, but for the most part, he’s done well.”
Gomber, who made his 24th start, is 4-8 with a 4.64 ERA and nine quality starts.
Colorado’s bullpen backed up Gomber. Tyler Kinley, who’s been on a roll, pitched a scoreless eighth, despite giving up a two-out double to Alex Call. Kinley is unscored upon in 17 of his last 19 outings since July 11, posting a 1.37 ERA with 22 strikeouts and five walks.
Rookie right-hander Angel Chivilli was called on to close out the game because usual ninth-inning reliever Victor Vodnik was out with discomfort in his right shoulder.
Chivilli, who picked up his first career win on Sunday against the Padres, notched his first career save. Utilizing his effective changeup, he dodged some trouble in the ninth — giving up a walk and a bloop single — but he never lost his poise.
The Rockies received offensive boosts from two players who were way past due. Ryan McMahon (2 for 4) delivered in the first with an RBI single, driving in Ezequiel Tovar, who had reached on a one-out double vs. rookie left-hander DJ Herz. McMahon entered the game slashing .115/.271/.231 in 24 games since the All-Star break
Nolan Jones, who came off the injured list on Sunday, delivered an RBI single to score Brenton Doyle in Colorado’s two-run sixth. A throwing error charged to Nationals third baseman Jose Tena — first baseman Andres Chaparro should have scooped the ball — led to the Rockies’ other run when Brendan Rodgers came around to score.
Regarding Vodnik’s shoulder soreness, Black said, “Victor will be evaluated by (head trainer Keith Dugger) and the staff, and we’ll see where that is.
“But Victor has been going hard. He’s a rookie, and we have talked about the dog days of August. This is the first full season for Victor, so it’s not totally unexpected that he might have an arm issue, so we are going to be cautious.”
Feltner progressing. Right-hander Ryan Feltner, placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 8 with a right shoulder strain, is scheduled to start for Triple-A Albuquerque at Round Rock on Wednesday. Manager Bud Black told MLB.com that Feltner would throw three to four innings (50-60 pitches), and then the club would discuss Feltner’s next step.
Wednesday’s pitching matchup
Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (0-4, 7.00 ERA) at Nationals LHP Mitchell Parker (6-7, 4.44)
4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nationals Park
TV: Rockies.TV (streaming); Comcast/Xfinity (channel 1262); DirecTV (683); Spectrum (130, 445, 305, 435 or 445, depending on region).
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Pitching probables
Gordon is still trying to find his big-league footing, especially after his tough start at Arizona last Wednesday, when he was ripped for four runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. He has pitched deep into several games, going six innings or more in three of his six major league starts. The rookie has never faced the Nationals.
The Phillies rocked Parker in his last start. He allowed nine runs on 10 hits and two walks over three innings. Still, he managed to strike out six. Philly pounded Parker in the first inning when six consecutive batters reached base, and he gave up two homers. Parker had pitched six scoreless innings in each of his previous two starts coming in, but he’s now failed to make it through four innings in three of his last six outings. The rookie started against the Rockie on June 22 at Coors Field and lasted six innings in a no-decision. Colorado tagged him for four runs on four hits, including a homer. He struck out eight and walked two. The Rockies won the game 8-7.
Thursday: RHP Cal Quantrill (8-8, 4.59) at Nationals LHP Patrick Corbin (2-12, 5.92), 11:15 a.m.
Friday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (3-5, 5.97) at Yankees LHP Carlos Rodon (13-8, 4.34), 5:05 p.m.
Saturday: Rockies RHP Bradley Blalock (0-0, 2.92) at RHP Marcus Stroman (8-6, 3.82), 12:05 p.m.
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Originally Published: August 20, 2024 at 7:41 p.m.
