Freeland celebrates 1,000-K milestone in gutsy Rockies victory

DENVER -- While dominating for most of his 7 1/3 innings against the Pirates on Friday night, Kyle Freeland became the second pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeouts in a Rockies uniform. He knew that the other -- now-Padres hurler Germán Márquez, who broke in with him in 2017 -- was paying attention.

But it took another pitcher from that ‘17 rookie class, Antonio Senzatela, to make the occasion a celebration.

Freeland struck out a season-high eight to bring his career total to 1,001 -- with only Márquez ahead of him. But the Rockies’ lead dissipated after Freeland left, only for Braxton Fulford to bring it back with a pinch-hit, two-run double in the bottom of the eighth.

Senzatela faced a bases-loaded, nobody-out situation in the top of the ninth; however, he fanned Tyler Callihan and forced Jared Triolo into a double-play groundout for a 4-3 Rockies victory at Coors Field on Friday night.

Freeland and everyone else in the park had to keep biting nails. The final play was reviewed, judging that second baseman Willi Castro’s foot was still on the bag when he caught the high throw from shortstop Ezequiel Tovar -- whose error helped create the jam.

“That was kind of a crazy end of the game -- bases loaded, no outs, he gets a big punchout in that situation, picks up Tovar,” Freeland said. “And [Senzatela] gets it done -- wild finish.”

The game was another twist in Freeland’s 2026 season.

Freeland posted a 2.30 ERA in his first three starts, but it all changed when he was scratched with left shoulder inflammation before the scheduled fourth start on April 12 in San Diego. After that came a seven-start nightmare that saw him post a 10.86 ERA.

Another milestone signaled a return to form.

Through the tight early part of an eventual 12-4 loss to the Brewers on June 7, Freeland moved into first place in club history in innings pitched. However, the game spiraled out of control after he left.

In his last start against the Athletics at Las Vegas, he yielded six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings, but all pitchers on either side suffered at that launching pad.

Friday he was back on his game. He worked ahead with his fastball and knuckle-curve. A sweeper that he had abandoned -- especially in Denver’s altitude -- even worked its way back into his mix.

“You can see physical presence on the mound, you can see poise,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “‘Free,’ when he’s really good, he has a commanding sense on the mound.”

Seemingly making a bid toward his first career complete game, Freeland yielded consecutive doubles to Esmerlyn Valdez and Triolo in the eighth to see his lead reduced to 2-1 before Schaeffer removed him. A pinch-hit single by Bryan Reynolds and a triple by Spencer Horowitz, both against Jaden Hill, left the Rockies trailing by a run.

“I didn’t look at my pitch count until the eighth inning,” said Freeland, who finished with 81. “It was definitely in the wheelhouse. Obviously, I didn’t get that.

“I understand the pull there [but] we’re trying to win a ballgame, not trying to get a complete game here. I completely understand why ‘Schaef’ came and got me.”

Freeland said he purposefully didn’t focus on his milestone, which he acknowledged by raising a hand to the fans from the mound after his seventh-inning strikeout of Marcell Ozuna and at the end of that inning as he was cheered leaving the field.

He also knows that Márquez is cheering for him.

“I remember when ‘Marquie’ got to that feat, and I get to chase him down for the rest of the season,” Freeland said. “I’m excited for it. I know he’s watching me.

“That’s my guy right there.”