Michael Toglia’s smile was as bright as sun-soaked Coors Field. Beyond the rookie’s celebrated glove, it was his bat that stymied the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon.
Just nine games into his promising career, Toglia crushed a 421-foot three-run homer that stretched a 4-0 lead to 7-0 in the third. The Rockies, behind the steady left arm of Kyle Freeland, then cruised to an 8-4 win over the Brewers, who fell further behind in their chase for a wild-card spot.
“(Kyle) did his job,” said manager Bud Black, complimenting his mix of his pitches. “… Kyle was outstanding.”
Playing spoiler – the only role Colorado can play at this point in the season – the Rockies won their second in a row over Milwaukee. They host Arizona for a three-game set beginning Friday after taking two of three from the Brewers.
When pressed, Freeland outlined his goals for the remainder of the season.
“Create that culture of winning in this clubhouse, regardless of what this season looks like right now,” Freeland said. “We need to show these young guys that we’re going to win, we need to teach them how to win at this level.”
It didn’t much matter that the home run ball, the second of Toglia’s career, landed atop a section that was almost completely empty. When he reached the dugout, having driven in three of his four RBIs on the day, his megawatt grin flashed all the way up to the press box.
“It’s a blast,” Toglia said of his first few weeks in the majors. “It’s some of the most fun you’ll have playing baseball.”
Toglia’s career day was evidence of a prospect with staying power and one who could potentially help steward a franchise turnaround in the years to come. If nothing else, he’s one of the few reasons to keep tabs on the Rockies in September. The home run came on the heels of his first at-bat – an opposite field double to deep right that plated Brendan Rodgers for a 1-0 lead.
Not that he’d ever advocate for turning the faucet off, but it was more support than Freeland needed. The lefty was dominant from the outset. In six innings, Freeland allowed one run on two hits and struck out eight. In his two prior starts, Colorado’s meager offense scraped together two runs total when Freeland started.
Brewers starter Eric Lauer got blasted for seven earned runs and didn’t get out of the third inning. He left the game with elbow tightness and several crooked numbers to his name.
On Deck
Diamondbacks RHP Zach Davies (2-4, 3.74 ERA) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (8-10, 4.86)
6:40 p.m., Friday, Coors Field
ճ:AT&T SportsNet
鲹徱:KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Marquez has been on a tear since two rocky starts in mid-August. In his last two outings, he’s tossed 14 innings, conceded four hits and only two earned runs. Both yielded Rockies wins, including one at Citi Field against the Mets. What’s more, the Rockies have won four of his last five starts. But Marquez has been a different pitcher at Coors Field than on the road. At thin air, his ERA has popped to 6.09 compared to his 3.58 clip on the road. Davies has been on a tear of his own, with Arizona winning five of his last six starts. Amazingly, he’s caught a no decision for all of them. In his last four starts, Davies hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a game, and in his last two, his 10:3 strikeout to walk ratio has led to consecutive wins.
Trending: Colorado hit a season-high four homers in Tuesday’s thrilling win over Milwaukee. Randal Grichuk (15 homers on the season) cracked two of them, including the walkoff, three-run shot in the 10th.
At issue: The Rockies haven’t hit a grand slam so far this season, representing one of just two teams in MLB not to slug one.
ʰDz:
Saturday: Diamondbacks LHP Madison Bumgarner (6-13, 4.83) at Rockies RHP Jose Urena (3-6, 6.13), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (11-2, 2.42) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (2-7, 5.85), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
