The first pitch Peter Lambert threw Friday night was a 90.6 mph meatball over the heart of the plate. White Sox shortstop Elvis Andrus smacked his lips, took a big swing and sent the ball 439 feet to center for a leadoff homer.
It looked like it might be one of those games for Lambet. Except that it wasn’t.
Cushioned cushioned by a prolific night from the Rockies’ offense, as well as stellar backing from his defense, Lambert was superb in the Rockies 14-1 victory at Coors Field.
Colorado’s 13-run victory margin was its largest since Sept. 26, 2018 when it beat Philadelphia, 14-0.
Over seven innings, Lambert allowed one run on four hits, struck out five and walked just one. He needed 85 pitches (49 strikes) to complete his night’s work.
Asked about giving up a homer on his first pitch, Lambert replied, “It’s a pretty (crummy) feeling, I’ll be honest. You just have to lock it in and move on. You can’t think about it too much.”
Friday marked just the second time in Lambert’s injury-interrupted career that he pitched seven innings, and the first time since he made his major-league debut on June 6, 2019, against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. In that impressive debut, Lambert also allowed one run on four hits, but he struck out nine in that game.
“It felt great because it’s been a while,” Lambert said. “It’s been very (gratifying). I’ve been through a couple of tough years and at the beginning of this year we had a plan, and that included limiting my innings. But it’s been great.”
More and more, the right-hander looks like he’ll be a key cog in next season’s rotation. Over seven starts since becoming a part of the rotation on July 1, Lambert has a 3.34 ERA, with 22 strikeouts vs. 10 walks.
“This is important for Peter and it’s important for us to see (him perform),” manager Bud Black said. “Peter’s mission is to get back to a place where he’s confident in his health and he’s confident in his ability to perform in the big leagues.
“So every time you go out there it’s a test. Peter passed the test tonight.”
Prior to the game, Black said he wants Lambert to start using his changeup more. Early on, Lambert did exactly that. He recorded four strikeouts in the first two innings, getting the White Sox to swing and miss on three changeups and one slider. Lambert’s fastball wasn’t as crisp as it has been in other recent outings, but he was able to mix and match his off-speed pitches well.
Colorado wasted no time getting Lambert a comfy lead. In its five-run first inning against right-hander Michael Kopech, the Rockies got a two-run homer from rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (his 14th homer) and another two-run blast from catcher Elias Diaz (12th).
Diaz also stole a base in the fifth inning, just the second stolen base of his career and first since June 7, 2017, when he played for the Pirates. That’s a span of 581 games between stolen bases.
The Rockies put together perhaps its best offensive games of the season. Their 13 hits led to a season-high 14 runs. Ryan McMahon blasted a three-run, 433-foot, opposite-field homer to left-center in the fourth. Brendan Rodgers hit a two-run triple in the sixth.
Colorado flashed quality leather behind Lambert all night. First baseman Michael Toglia pulled off two textbook 3-6-3 double plays, one in the third and one in the sixth. Center fielder Brenton Doyle, in something that’s becoming an almost daily occurrence, made two excellent running catches at the wall.
Saturday’s pitching matchup
White Sox RHP Jesse Scholtens (1-5, 3.20 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-13, 4.94)
6:10 p.m. Saturday, Coors Field
TV: AT&T Sportsnet
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Freeland needs to make a solid start, and a W next to his name in the box score would be nice, too. The left-hander has not posted a winning decision since May 14 vs. Philadelphia. Over his last 14 starts, he has a 6.19 ERA with 24 walks and 39 strikeouts. His 2.48 run support average over that span is the second-lowest in the majors (minimum 50 innings pitched). He last faced the White Sox on Sept. 14, 2022, in Chicago and pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Scholtens is scheduled to make his sixth start (20th appearance) of the season and his first career start against Colorado. Scholtens was saddled with the loss against Milwaukee last Saturday, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five batters over 6 1/3 innings. He’s posted a 2.95 ERA with 17 strikeouts vs. five walks since moving into the rotation full-time Aug. 1.
Pitching probables
Sunday: White Sox RHP Dylan Cease (5-6, 4.32) at Rockies RHP Chris Flexen (1-5, 7.74), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Off day
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