At this time a year ago, Christian Friedrich languished in Double-A, another symbol of failed Rockies’ draft picks. When the season ended in Tulsa, silence provided clarity.
“I was just completely alone for the first time,” Friedrich said. “And I realized that these past two years weren’t me. These numbers aren’t me. I reached a crossroads: how much am I going to put in this to turn things around?”
His transformation physically — a 30-pound weight loss over the winter— matched his change on the mound. He improved his tempo, focused on pitching inside and removed doubt from his mind.
All characteristics were on display Wednesday as Friedrich delivered a striking Major League debut in the Rockies’ 6-2 victory over the Padres. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak just hours after manager Jim Tracy called a brief team meeting.
Turning point. Friedrich grabbed this opportunity by the nape of the neck with two outs and a one-run deficit in the first inning. The former 2008 first-round pick struck out Padres’ catcher Nick Hundley on an 84-mph slider, setting the stage for an eye-opening debut. Friedrich finished with seven strikeouts, tying the Rockies’ season high.
“It felt like I was out there forever. It was good to get that final out and get the guys back in the dugout,” said Friedrich, who had 64 text messages and 49 emails waiting when he returned to his locker after the game. “There were a lot of people that were part of making this happen. It’s cool that they are still following me.”
Friedrich’s final line of six innings, one earned run and one walk ranks as one of the team’s top four starts this season, and screams that he deserves another opportunity.
“We will discuss how we might re-arrange the furniture. But what I saw from him with fastball command on both sides of the plate was very impressive,” Tracy said. “He pitched like a a No. 1 draft pick.”
On the mound. Matt Belisle brought out the broom and swept up Rex Brothers’ mess in the seventh inning, shutting out the Padres. Brothers remains inconsistent, and could see his roster spot evaporate with lefty Josh Outman (oblique) nearing the end of his rehab assignment. Brothers has posted a 3.97 ERA in 17 games.
At the plate. Prior to the game, Tracy held a team meeting to discuss the necessary adjustments needed in road ballparks. He wanted to see shorter swings, and the ability to grind out at-bats. The message resonated as the offense awoke from its road slumber in the sixth, caffeinated by Wilin Rosario’s double off the top of the left-field wall. Carlos Gonzalez and Jason Giambi scored with Padres pitcher Anthony Bass inexplicably cutting the throw five feet in front of the plate as Giambi slid in safely. Giambi came out of the game after that race around the bases.Third baseman Chris Nelson followed by snapping an 0-for-22 streak on the road with a single, shoving the Rockies ahead 5-2. The Rockies finished with a season-high 13 hits on the road after combining for 14 hits in the previous two losses. Michael Cuddyer, hitting cleanup for Troy Tulowitzki (out with a strained left groin, but will start Friday), added a sacrifice fly.
What it means. Alex White and Friedrich initially offered help this week with their pitching performances the past two days. Today, they represent hope. The only chance this team has to get right is by receiving more from its starters. A better rotation makes for a better bullpen. It also creates more margin for error for the offense. The challenge is to make this win mean something, and that rests on Jamie Moyer to build on the momentum Friday in Los Angeles.
