Adams showing combination of traits that bodes well for Rockies' future

DETROIT – Rockies rookie right-handed pitcher Mason Adams could acknowledge being bummed, but was able to keep things in perspective.

Adams, Colorado's No. 19 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, struck out five and held the Tigers to one run in five innings of the Rockies’ 6-2 loss at Comerica Park on Friday night.

The run – Max Clark’s fifth-inning, one-out home run on a fastball that was off the plate inside but in the wheelhouse – tied the game at 1-1. Adams followed by walking John Peck and Zack McKinstry. But Adams completed his evening by forcing Javier Báez to roll a sweeper over to shortstop Ezequiel Tovar for a double play that finished his night at 77 pitches.

“It feels good to get that double play – for them to make that play behind me and get me out of that jam,” said Adams, owner of a solid 3.38 ERA in four starts since being acquired from the White Sox at the Trade Deadline, and since being promoted to the Majors after posting a 2.08 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Albuquerque. “It’s frustrating, not getting that shutdown inning in the fifth after we scored. I really wanted to put up a zero there.

“But there’s stuff to work on, and keep getting better.”

Adams’ outing showed enough good – a solid strategy against right- and left-handed hitters, and the ability to follow catcher Hunter Goodman’s calls, and his glove, around the strike zone – to offset one pitch that he wishes he’d have thrown up-and-in instead of down-and-in.

Otherwise, though, loss No. 92 of the season and No. 5 in a row for the Rockies was another frustrating tale of missed opportunity. Three hits and a walk in the top of the fifth netted one run, on an error. The Tigers erased two would-be runs at the plate.

With runners on the corners after two singles led off the inning, Tovar’s bunt went straight to pitcher Framber Valdez, who got the ball to catcher Dillon Dingler in time to tag out Troy Johnston. Then McKinstry made a pinpoint throw from right field to the plate on Jake McCarthy’s single to erase Jordan Beck, who was trying to score from second.

“I thought the strategy was good – you just have to execute,” manager Warren Schaeffer said.

With two out in the sixth, Riley Greene’s drive to the center-field wall off reliever Mark Manfredi required a great play – and Cole Carrigg was there, but not far enough left.

“Cole is an excellent center fielder and he makes really, really difficult plays all the time. That was a hard play,” Schaeffer said.

But Adams, even with the home run, didn’t leave many nits to pick.

“It all goes back to his poise – his preparation and how comfortable he feels going into a ballgame,” Schaeffer said. “He looks in total control out there, and he has really good stuff. Those two things combined, and the presence that he brings to the mound is something that lines up for a long time in the future.”

Adams fanned Kevin McGonigle, Gleyber Torres and Colt Keith to open the game, then showed he could escape a tough situation by forcing a Peck double-play grounder with two on to end the second.

“He knows his stuff, but the poise that he brings is probably the biggest part,” Goodman said. “It doesn’t seem like the moment’s too big for him. It’s been fun to see.”

Adams missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery because of a right elbow injury he sustained in White Sox Spring Training. He is in the Majors after a gradual buildup of pitches in the White Sox and Rockies organizations.

“We had all sorts of trouble with him, whether it was the low slot, the fast arm,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “The breaking ball early was pretty good. I mean, we didn't have good swings at him, and he was keeping his pitch count down. They’ve kept him relatively short in the times that he has pitched, so we knew we weren't going to get a lot of looks at him.”

Friday’s outing had the feel of a pitcher who is being handled with some care, but not kid gloves. He was out after 77 pitches, but the fifth inning was high-stress, and the Tigers’ lineup called for Schaeffer to go to the left-handed Manfredi – who was beaten with the count full on his seventh straight fastball to the left-handed-hitting Greene.

Adams said he is prepared to extend his pitch count, but realizes that may not happen this year.

“I would assume that’s the thing, with me coming off Tommy John,” he said. “I feel really good. When I go out there, I’m going to compete until they take me out.”