Rockies Rally to Spring Win over Brewers

Rockies handshake line after win over Brewers

Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay

March 10, 2024

Rockies 3, Brewers 1

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Mar. 10) — An RBI single by Brendan Rodgers in the sixth, combined with an RBI triple by Sterlin Thompson and RBI single by Jordan Beck, gave the Colorado Rockies a 3–1 Cactus League victory over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers Sunday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

Rockies – Brewers Game Summary

The Brewers took the lead in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly by Christian Yelich off Rockies starter Ryan Feltner. He drove in Garrett Mitchell, who singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a fly ball to right.

The Rockies tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to singles by Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Jones, and Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers drove in Sterlin Thompson, who pinch-ran for Blackmon.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Rockies took the lead. Sean Bouchard drew a two-out walk. He scored on a triple to right by Sterlin Thompson, who himself scored on a single to center by Jordan Beck to finish the scoring.

What Went Right for the Rockies

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Mar. 10) — Gavin Hollowell of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the ninth inning of his team’s Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Salt River Fields. The Rockies defeated the Brewers, 3–1. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)

Limiting Opposing Runs

Feltner held the Brewers to one run on one hit across three innings. He walked one while striking out three. Feltner was pleased with his outing, saying that the plan today was to “be in the zone and get strike one.”

Relievers Jaden Hill, John Curtiss, Jalen Beeks, Nick Mears, Ty Blach, and Gavin Hollowell combined to hold the Brewers scoreless while walking two and striking out six.

Timely Hitting

Brendan Rodgers continued his strong spring, going 1-for-3 with an RBI. So far in Cactus League play, he is batting .348 (8-for-23). After the amount of time Rodgers missed in 2023, he said “getting these early at-bats is huge.” Additionally, he feels “building confidence, seeing the (game-level) velocity, and seeing the spin (of the pitches)” will help him “dial it in and be ready for the first game.”

Sterlin Thompson also produced offensively, scoring the tying run as a pinch-runner before going 1-for-1 with an RBI triple and another run scored.

Opportune Defense

The Rockies turned two double plays, one to end the top of the second and the other to end the top of the sixth. Ezequiel Tovar, Brendan Rodgers, and Kris Bryant turned the first. The second one, which came with a runner in scoring position, involved Aaron Schunk, Rodgers, and Bryant.

What Went Wrong for the Rockies

Cold Bats Early

The Rockies could not solve Brewers starting pitcher Jakob Junis, whose sole baserunner came when he plunked Kris Bryant. Junis struck out three in his outing.

Quotes

“I think all my stuff is in a really good spot. Last outing was more the ‘end-game thinking’ stuff. Today, I ironed that out with (catcher Elias) Diaz. It was more-so my doing, so I simplified the plan with the catchers, and it seems to be helping.” — Ryan Feltner on his outing Sunday and how it fits into the spring as a whole

“I liked his stuff. I’m always encouraged by his fastball. There’s room to grow there as far as how he uses it. And he’s starting to figure some things out with the fastball. The secondary pitches had some crispness to them. I’m sure he’d like to have a couple of change-ups back, as far as the location there. But all in all, he held his stuff through 50-plus pitches. He’s got a number of more starts to continue to build pitch counts. But he’s doing fine. That was a good bounce-back effort from his last one.” — Rockies manager Bud Black on Feltner’s performance

Looking Ahead

The Rockies play again Monday, while the Brewers have the day off. First pitch for the Rockies against the host Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch in Glendale will be at 1:05 pm Arizona Time/2:05 pm Mountain Daylight Time. Left-hander Kyle Freeland will take the mound for the Rockies against White Sox right-hander Jake Woodford.

The Brewers play next on Tuesday evening at 6:05 pm Arizona Time/8:05 pm Central Time against the host Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa. Right-hander Colin Rea will start for the Brewers against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele.

Main Photo Credits:

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Mar. 10) — The Colorado Rockies manager and coaching staff line up to congratulate the players after their team’s 3–1 Cactus League victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Salt River Fields. (Photo by Evan Thompson/Sport Relay)