DENVER -- The Rockies swept Houston out of town Wednesday, reaching .500 for the first time in over a year, dating back to March 29, 2025.
Michael Lorenzen's performance on the mound was emblematic of the team’s rejuvenation as he recovered from a dismal Rockies debut at Coors Field on April 3, when he allowed a career high 12 hits and nine runs, all earned, in the home opener. Lorenzen found redemption in the 9-1 win, allowing one run in 5 2/3 innings and taking advantage of his second chance at a first impression to bookend the homestand.
The Rockies took an early lead in the first frame, with second baseman Edouard Julien hitting a leadoff single to right, stealing a base, then scoring on a Tyler Freeman base hit to left.
The Astros lost two players in the second inning: Jake Meyers mid-at-bat in the top of the inning with lower back tightness and starting pitcher Cristian Javier during his warm-up with right shoulder tightness.
Brice Matthews entered the at-bat in progress for Meyers with a 2-2 count and laced an RBI single to left to tie the game.
The Rockies bounced back in the bottom of the frame, with the first four batters reaching safely against reliever AJ Blubaugh. Troy Johnston started the hit parade with a double to center, followed by a bunt single from Brenton Doyle and a walk to Kyle Karros. Julien knocked a bases-loaded single to left to plate two and after a perfect sac bunt from Tyler Freeman, Mickey Moniak hit a sac fly to the right field corner to bring Karros home.
After Hunter Goodman walked, he stole his first base of the season and Julien scored on a wild pitch. Ezequiel Tovar doubled to center to make it a five-run inning. Goodman hit a Statcast-projected 378-foot solo shot to left in the fourth and the Rockies added a run in the sixth with two hit batsmen, a stolen base, a walk and a sac fly to center from TJ Rumfield and a final insurance run in the eighth to secure the sweep.
The sweep was Colorado's first against the Astros at Coors Field since May 28-31, 2012, which was Houston's final season in the National League.