Rockies 2, Blue Jays 1: Freeman’s single in extras steals first series victory of 2026

What began as a pitcher’s duel resulted in an extra-inning victory for the Colorado Rockies as they defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 to conclude their first road trip of the season.

Despite an offense that struggled to connect, the Rockies’ pitching matched the reigning American League Champions and secured their first series victory of 2026. By contrast, the Rockies didn’t win their first series until June of last season.

It took one cycle through the rotation, but the Rockies finally got a starting pitcher to go five innings. Kyle Freeland worked through plenty of traffic but managed to navigate five innings while giving up one run on five hits. He was the definition of attacking the strike zone, throwing 60 of his 88 pitches for strikes, and ended up allowing just one walk while punching out six.

The lone run against Freeland came in the third inning on a one-out single to right field by Davis Schneider that scored Myles Straw. With runners on second and third, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was hit by a sweeper on the tip of his back foot to load the bases. Freeland escaped with a strikeout of Kazuma Okamoto, followed by a soft lineout by Alejandro Kirk. The knuckle-curve was quite effective on the day as he threw it over 25 times.

Unfortunately for the Rockies, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman was just as effective. The Colorado native was on point from the get-go and was perfect through the first four innings. He ended up going six innings, allowing just two hits while striking out 10 Rockies hitters.

With 21 strikeouts, Gausman set a franchise record with the most strikeouts through the first two starts of the season by a Blue Jays pitcher. He is also the first pitcher since at least 1901 with 21 or more strikeouts and zero walks through his first two starts of a season. Gausman’s splitter and fastball were lethal as he carved up the Rockies and generated 19 swing and misses.

The Rockies got their first base runner against Gausman courtesy of a leadoff single from Ezequiel Tovar in the fifth inning. T.J. Rumfield then hit a dribbler on the infield that Toronto flipped to second base for a force out. Tovar was initially called out, but a replay challenge overturned the ruling, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Gausman then struck out Jordan Beck and Brett Sullivan before getting Brenton Doyle to ground out to end the inning.

Troy Johnston had a one-out double in the sixth inning, but Hunter Goodman and Willi Castro struck out to end that threat.

The bullpen was excellent for the Rockies as they prevented the Blue Jays from scoring another run. Antonio Senzatela followed Freeland with two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Victor Vodnik and Brennan Bernardino dealt scoreless innings with Jimmy Herget nailing down the save in the bottom of the 10th. The pen allowed just two hits over five innings of work.

The Rockies struck out a whopping 17 times in 36 at-bats while drawing just three walks. They managed six hits, including the aforementioned double, while going 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Johnston led the day with a two-hit performance, while five Rockies had two or more strikeouts. The only starter that didn’t strike out was Rumfield. Still, the team continued its running ways, stealing two bases, bringing the team’s total to 10. Jake McCarthy’s stolen base in the eighth proved most beneficial as he was then able to score on Johnston’s RBI single and tie the game at one.

Still, when it mattered most, Tyler Freeman, just activated from the injured list, poked an RBI single to center field in the top of the 10th to drive in the winning run for the Rockies.

The Rockies have the day off on Thursday before welcoming the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game set at Coors Field on Friday. Michael Lorenzen (0-0, 6.23 ERA) will take the mound in the home opener and face off against Aaron Nola (0-0, 5.40 ERA) for the Phillies.

First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 pm MT.

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