Braxton Fulford recorded his first career three-hit game, but he alone couldn’t lift the Colorado Rockies to victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. They had their chances, but the Rox just couldn’t quite match the offensive output of the Crew as they fell 10-6 on Friday.

An early duel

Starters Kyle Freeland and Jose Quintana were on their A-game in the early going. Quintana allowed just two hits and a walk through the first four innings. He did give up multiple base runners in the first frame but quickly worked out of the jam without much issue.

Freeland, meanwhile, dealt with more resistance.

Each of the first three innings saw the Brewers leadoff man reach base, and each time K-Free avoided damage. A clutch double play and some help from Braxton Fulford’s arm were enough to keep things square at 0-0.

If Freeland could continue his tightrope act, the Rockies would have a chance to strike first.

Frightful fourth frame

Unfortunately, that was not to be.

In the bottom of the fourth, back-to-back leadoff singles by William Contreras and Isaac Collins precipitated a walk to Rhys Hoskins, loading the bases with no outs. Brice Turang then singled to bring home the first runs of the game and put the Brewers up 2-0.

Consecutive fly outs seemed to portend the end of the inning, but Sal Frelick’s RBI single increased Milwaukee’s lead to 3. Jackson Chourio then doubled that advantage by lacing Freeland’s 1-1 changeup over the right field wall, plating three more runs and ending the offensive outburst with six runs scored in the frame.

The Rockies once again found themselves facing a significant disadvantage.

Killer B’s

The top of the fifth was as good a time as any for some offense from Colorado.

That inning started with singles by Brenton Doyle and Braxton Fulford, setting the table for the top of the lineup. Ryan Ritter’s RBI groundout plated a run.

. But after Mickey Moniak struck out, it was Jordan Beck’s two-out, two-run double that cut Milwaukee’s lead in half.

Beck’s 16th double of the season, second most on the team behind Hunter Goodman, punctuated the excellent June swoon that Beck is experiencing. With their bats seemingly awakened, would a late rally be in the books for your fightin’ Rockies?

Herget’s weird outing

Jimmy Herget, a potential trade candidate at the upcoming deadline, had one of the stranger outings we’ve seen this season. Taking the mound in the bottom of the sixth in relief of Freeland, he had difficulty handling a William Contreras chopper ground ball, allowing the slugging catcher to reach second base. Moving to third on a bunt, Contreras would then score on a Herget balk, a call that he most certainly did not agree with.

Regardless of his feelings, the run counted, and the Brewers now led 7-3. The Rox would get another back after Ryan McMahon walked and scored on Braxton Fulford’s first double of the season, but Colorado would have work to do to get back even.

Golden opportunities

The Rockies did have their opportunities, of course. The top of the seventh saw Colorado put two runners on with one out, but Thairo Estrada was caught stealing, and Michael Toglia struck out to end the frame. The eighth inning then opened with a Kyle Farmer single and a Ryan McMahon bloop single, again bringing the tying run to the plate.

This time, they would not be denied.

Braxton Fulford ambushed new pitcher Abner Uribe, taking his first offering out into left field. Isaac Collins made a great effort, but the ball bounced out of his glove for Fulford’s second double of the game, bringing home two more runs and bringing Colorado within one.

Down 7-6, Ryan Ritter and Mickey Moniak struck out to end the threat, but the game was still within reach.

Sadly, it was not to be. The Brewers scored three more times in the bottom of the eighth, and the Rockies couldn’t muster enough offense to respond. They went 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base…. not ideal.

Up Next

These two teams will trade blows again tomorrow, as is customary.

Game 2 of the series will see Colorado’s Antonio Senzatela (3-10, 6.48 ERA) lock horns with Milwaukee’s Quinn Priester (5-2, 3.68 ERA).

That game starts at 2:10pm MDT. See you then!