The Colorado Rockies picked up a much needed win at home to avoid being swept by the Chicago White Sox on a sunny Sunday afternoon in the Mile High City. The Rockies were thankfully able to end their final homestand of the first half on a high note.

Dollander Day Afternoon

Chase Dollander started off the afternoon in a promising fashion by striking out Mike Tauchman, but unfortunately it ended up being another difficult outing for the rookie pitcher. He struggled with command and efficiency, walking four batters while striking out just two and making it through only 3 2⁄3 innings on 92 pitches. Dollander gave up three earned runs on five hits, though there was some bad luck involved.

What should have been a routine ground out into a double-play off the bat of Chase Meidroth ended up careening off second base and ricocheting into center field for a run to score. After a walk and a stolen base with two outs in the fourth inning, Dollander gave up an RBI single to Tauchman to end his day.

Hey Mickey, You’re So Fine

Mickey Moniak started the game in center field and as the Rockies’ leadoff hitter, where he provided the strongest contribution of the team for the afternoon. Moniak went 3-for-4 on the day. He hit a leadoff home run in his first at-bat and had a bases-clearing triple later on to represent three of the Rockies’ six runs against the White Sox. Moniak was one of baseball’s most productive players in June and is off to a strong start for July. He also made a slick sliding catch during the game.

Michael Toglia hit his first home run since June 18th with a two-run shot over the center field wall with Yanquiel Fernández and Ryan Ritter on base after back-to-back singles in the fifth inning. Yanquiel Fernández also tallied his first career RBI.

The bullpen says “beat it.”

Outside of one earned run given up by Zach Agnos in his 1 1⁄3 innings of work, the Rockies bullpen kept a clean scoresheet after Dollander left the game. Rookie righty Juan Mejia continued his strong debut season with two scoreless, hitless innings and struck out two batters. Victor Vodnik struck out one and walked one in the eighth, while the gas-throwing Seth Halvorsen walked a batter in the top of the ninth but otherwise induced three easy fly-outs for his eighth save of the season.

Coming Up Next

The Rockies are hitting the road for their final trip of the first half before the All-Star Break. Their first stop is Fenway Park, where they will take on the Boston Red Sox for a three-game set. Left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber will take on the right-handed Richard Fitts on Monday night. First pitch will be at 5:10 PM MDT.