It was yet another night of too little and too late as the Colorado Rockies (9-48) couldn’t muster much offense against the New York Mets (35-22) behind Kyle Freeland, losing the first game of the series 4-2.

Another quality start for Freeland

It was another familiar story for Freeland as he falls to 0-8 on the season with a 5.72 ERA. He navigated through six innings on 90 pitches, allowing three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks. It was his sixth quality start of the season and the only real blemishes came on two home runs allowed, a solo home run by Francisco Lindor to lead off the bottom of the first, and a solo home run by Starling Marte in the fourth. Juan Soto also laced an RBI double in the third. It was a solid outing that kept the Rockies in the game, but as has typically been the case for Freeland on the mound, the offense just couldn’t provide the support needed.

Missed opportunities

The offense ended up tallying six hits in the game while striking out 11 times with one walk. They made Mets starter David Peterson labor through 5 2⁄3 innings, forcing him to throw 94 pitches, but they scored just one run on five hits with five strikeouts and a walk.

The Rockies had an early opportunity with the bases loaded in the third inning with two outs to tie the game at one and potentially take the lead. Making his Rockies debut in this game, second baseman Thairo Estrada reached down and smoked a ball headed for left that was snagged out of the air by a leaping Lindor to retire the side.

Later on in the sixth inning, trailing 3-0, Ryan McMahon laced a double to right field to score Estrada, who had been hit by a pitch, and move Brenton Doyle to third. With two men in scoring position and two out, the Mets went to the bullpen to bring in a right-handed pitcher, inspiring manager Warren Schaeffer to pinch-hit Mickey Moniak. Unfortunately, Moniak hit a lazy pop-up to left field to end the threat and the Rockies’ last threat.

They ended up going 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and leaving six runners on base.

Welcome back, Slam Hilliard

In his first at-bat since returning to the big league roster, familiar face Sam Hilliard was called upon to pinch-hit in the seventh inning. Facing Huascar Brazobán, Hilliard belted a towering fly ball to right field for a solo home run and drew the Rockies back within a run, 3-2.

Hilliard proved to be a reliable bench option last season following his call-up around this same time. The hope that a familiar veteran presence will help the young core navigate the toils of the struggles they’ve been facing at the plate.

Lindor’s big day

Lindor added to his already impressive day by clubbing his second home run of the game in the eighth inning against reliever Seth Halvorsen. He belted a ball to center field that was first called a triple, but after further review, it was decided that the ball hit the railing beyond the home run line, giving the Mets a 4-2 final score.

Up next

The Rockies have one final chance to get 10 wins before the start of June. Antonio Senzatela (1-9, 6.50 ERA) will take the hill for the Rockies and face off against the formidable Kodai Senga (5-3, 1.46 ERA) for the Mets.

First pitch is at 2:10 pm MDT, see you then!

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