GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A Rockies-heavy crowd along the first-base line here Friday night chirped into a racket in the fourth inning. That is when Denver-native Kyle Freeland entered the game. The 23-year-old left-hander, with a friends and family contingent on hand, breezed through the host Reds and Colorado downed Cincinnati, 5-4, in a Cactus League game.
Freeland struck out two in the seventh, ending his 3-inning outing with just one hit allowed. He forced two double plays and faced the minimum nine batters.
“I was in the groove from the get-go,” Freeland said. The former Thomas Jefferson High star finished a partial season at Triple-A Albuquerque last year with a 3.91 ERA.
BOXSCORE:
Now he’s making a concerted run for . In his past two outings, over five innings, Freeland has allowed just one hit and no runs.
“His last two games, he’s been really, really tough,” Colorado manager Bud Black said.
FOR STARTERS: German Marquez started for the Rockies, throwing 2 2/3 innings with three hits and an earned run against him. His results were mixed. He twice threw into center field on pickoff attempts.
“That, to me, was a little bit difficult,” he said. But he struck out four.
HITS: First baseman Jordan Patterson doubled in two runs in the first inning, then doubled again in the sixth. … Veteran shortstop Alexi Amarista made a diving catch on a line drive in the second to steal a hit from Dilson Herrera. … Catcher Dustin Garneau helped Marquez through the second, after a wild pitch, by throwing out Tony Renda trying to steal second base.
ѱ:Amarista struck out twice. … Jordan Lyles faced four batters and walked one, but did not allow a hit.
UP NEXT: The Rockies travel to Mesa to face the World Series champion Cubs at 1 p.m. Veteran right-hander Tyler Chatwood will start for Colorado. Reliever Adam Ottavino is also scheduled to pitch. Chicago will start lefty Jon Lester.
