TORONTO -- This is why you amp up the pressure.
The Rockies’ new philosophy of baserunning aggressiveness paid off once again in Wednesday afternoon’s 2-1 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. It took 10 innings to settle a close contest dominated by the pitching performances, but Colorado’s ability to manufacture chances turned out to be the difference-maker.
“That’s how we want to play,” said Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer. “ … It’s been a good start in terms of grit. We’re trying to play like that every game.”
That’s an apt way to describe the Rockies’ first series win of the season. The finale especially was as close a contest as they come.
Tyler Freeman, just activated from the injured list ahead of the game, delivered the winning hit, an RBI single that scored Brenton Doyle from second in the top of the 10th. But the game only extended that far because of some crafty running in the eighth inning.
With the Rockies trailing 1-0 for most of the game, and struggling to get anything going against the Blue Jays’ pitching staff, it was time to make things happen. Jake McCarthy understood the assignment when he was ushered into the game to pinch-run for Kyle Karros, who opened the eighth by drawing a walk. McCarthy stole second to put himself in scoring position, then he hauled himself from second to home on an RBI single from Troy Johnston to tie the score and flip the script in Toronto.
“I think everybody in the ballpark knew Jake was going to run there,” said Schaeffer. “He’s that fast. I mean, a huge weapon.”
That was one of two stolen bases for the Rockies in the game, bringing their season total to 10 over the first six games. Only the Brewers (15) have more swiped bags than Colorado.
Expect the aggressiveness to continue throughout the year. It’s turning into an entertaining part of Colorado’s new identity.
“It's fantastic,” said starter Kyle Freeland. “We're applying that pressure on teams, and we're blatantly doing it. We're letting them know we're going to be aggressive on everything that we do, on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball. It's a tone that Schaeff wants to set, that he set in Spring Training, and we're going to carry that all over this season.”
That’s especially important when runs are as hard to come by as they were on Wednesday, when Freeland and Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman battled pitch for pitch in a duel of Colorado natives. Freeland more than held his own in his second start of the regular season, allowing just one run with six strikeouts, five hits, one walk and two hit batters.
There was no shortage of traffic in his outing, including a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the third. Freeland kept his composure, though, relying on his curveball above all else to skirt away from trouble.
“Tight jam right there,” Freeland said of that third inning. “Got to dial in a little bit more, get the focus right and understand what the situation is, make sure you're on the same page as your catcher and just go execute. And that's what we were able to do.”
This was a step forward from Freeland’s Opening Day start, and it marked the first time this season a Rockies starter completed five innings. The club still needs more from its rotation, but Thursday’s off-day offers a chance at a reset and some much-needed rest for a taxed bullpen.
Then it’s off to Coors Field, where the Rockies will take on the Phillies in their home opener on Friday. A 2-4 record isn’t quite what they had in mind for the first road trip of the season, but there’s something to be said about shaking off three one-run losses in Miami and taking a series against a contending team in the Blue Jays.
No one in that clubhouse needs more incentive to keep playing the Rockies’ new brand of baseball, but watching it work helps with momentum.
“I think it's very important for us to go through Spring Training like we did, trying to build things, and then get a series against the defending American League champs and play with them toe to toe for three games,” said Schaeffer.