Kyle Freeland's Rough Outing Let Athletics Top Rockies

Kyle Freeland went out on the mound at Las Vegas Ballpark on Saturday night against the Athletics, hoping to put a solid outing together for Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer.

Well, Freeland picked up his seventh loss this season, falling to 1-7 overall as the Athletics came from behind to beat the Rockies 7-5. The Athletics now have a chance to go after a series sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Visit sportbet.rodeo for more information.

Freeland went 5.2 innings, giving up 10 hits, six earned runs, no walks, struck out four, and gave up one run. After this defeat, Freeland now owns a hefty 7.98 ERA.

Joey Estes got the start for the Athletics. He went 4.1 innings, giving up five hits, four earned runs, walked one, struck out four, and gave up a home run. Speaking of high ERAs, Estes left Saturday night's game with an 8.31 ERA hung around his neck.

Athletics reliever Jose Suarez picked up his first victory on Saturday night, going to 1-2 this season. He worked 1.2 innings, giving up two hits, one earned run, two walks, and didn't strike out a batter or allow a home run. Elvis Alvarado worked a clean ninth with two strikeouts to get his second save.

Rockies Are on Losing Side

The Rockies were hoping to get on the good foot in Las Vegas. As it turns out, they're falling behind more. Colorado is in last place in the National League West Division at 26-45. The Athletics, with victories on Friday and Saturday nights, are in second in the American League West Division at 35-35.

In the bottom of the first inning, Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers flexed their hitting muscles by smacking a single and a double to get on third and second base, respectively. Jacob Wilson came up with two outs and connected for a two-run single off Freeland, putting the Athletics up 2-0.

Brett Sullivan hit his fourth home run this season, a solo blast deep into the Las Vegas night, to put the Rockies on the board at 2-1. Colorado tied things up at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning on Troy Johnston's single to right field. Johnston was thrown out at second base trying to stretch his hit into a double. 

Zack Gelof's ninth home run this season, a two-run blast, put the Athletics back on top at 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth. The Rockies got a run back in the top of the fifth on Sullivan's sacrifice fly and Colorado cut into the Athletics' lead at 4-3. A Langeliers passed ball allowed Sterlin Thompson to score, tying the game at 4-4.

TJ Rumfield doubled to center field and Edouard Julien scored, putting the Rockies ahead at 5-4. But Willi Castro was thrown out at home plate trying to score.

Colorado Couldn't Secure Victory

That gave Colorado a one-run lead that they were going to try and protect.

Yeah, well, that just didn't take place on Saturday night. Alika Williams' two-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning scored Gelof and the game was tied again at 5-5. Jaden Hill came on to relieve Freeland for the Rockies.

The first batter he faced was pinch-hitter Tyler Soderstrom, who proved to be clutch for his team. Soderstrom's 18th double this season scored Williams and the Athletics went up 6-5. With the bases loaded, Hill hit Carlos Cortex with a pitch, giving the Athletics a two-run lead at 7-5.

And, with that run scoring, the game was all in the hands of the Athletics' bullpen. Its relievers performed admirably and got the win for the home team.

These two teams will go at it again on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas.

Rockies Rap

Rockies Roundtable has its own weekly podcast!

Rockies Rap, which covers the latest data, analytics, and information around the Rockies, is available now on Spotify.

Like and subscribe to Rockies Rap.

Check it out right here: https://bit.ly/4gd8KR6

Read full story at source