Rockies Report, Game 161:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: Kyle Freeland bounced back from a rough second inning to go six innings and finish with his 14th quality start in 31 trips to the mound this season, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 17th loss that matched a Rockies franchise record in a 4-3 defeat to the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday.

Hunter Goodman and Brenton Doyle got the Rox in front early with solo homers in the first and second innings. Goodman’s was his 31st home run of the year; Doyle went yard for the 15th time.

Off to a Good Start pic.twitter.com/JXGLFJHi8P

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 27, 2025

But the Giants responded swiftly in the second inning. Matt Champman worked a seven-pitch leadoff walk from Freeland, WIlmer Flores singled and then Casey Schmitt punished a 92-MPH fastball that landed in the center of the strike zone, putting the Giants up to stay.

Rafael Devers added the fourth run via an RBI double off Victor Vodnik in the eighth inning.

Jordan Beck tallied the final run of the day with a solo homer in the ninth inning, and the Rockies eventually loaded the bases, but couldn’t bring the tying or winning runs home.

Colorado dropped to 43-118 and stands alone as the fifth-losingest team in MLB history. A defeat Sunday will tie them with the 2003 Detroit Tigers for the fourth-highest loss total in Major League Baseball history.

ROCKIES STARTER’S REPORT

Aside from a fateful three-batter stretch in the second inning, Freeland was as good as he’s been all year, at one point retiring 12-consecutive Giants. The day capped a September in which he posted a 3.73 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.

Nevertheless, the surge at the end of the season doesn’t wash the taste of this rough season from the veteran’s mouth.

“One of the most difficult, different, eye-opening seasons I’ve ever been a part of,” Freeland said after the game to media, talking about the campaign being a learning experience.

Freeland’s six innings of work allowed him to nudge his ERA below 5.00; he finished the campaign with an ERA of 4.98. Considering that he spent nearly all of the last five months with his ERA north of 5.00, that’s a notable — if muted — accomplishment.

Freeland will be the only Rockies pitcher with at least 10 starts this season to finish with an ERA below 5.00.

BITS AND PIECES

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Ezequiel Tovar struck out with the bases loaded and two out in the ninth inning.

NUMBER TO NOTE: 7.0 — Freeland’s strikeout-to-walk rate in September.

WHAT’S NEXT: McCade Brown looks to build off of his 10-strikeout appearance Tuesday in the season finale. Logan Webb starts for the Giants. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m. MDT.