Log In


Reset Password
Sports Youth Sports Professional Sports More Sports College Sports High School Sports

De La Rosa says thank you, McBride

Rockies rookie hits a grand slam to carry Colorado to victory

DENVER – Matt McBride is so new to the Colorado Rockies that he doesn’t even have his nameplate above his locker yet.

Didn’t take him long to make a big impact, though.

Jorge De La Rosa pitched eight crisp innings, and McBride hit his first career grand slam, helping the Rockies cool off the Kansas City Royals with a 5-2 win Wednesday night.

“Just trying to have a good at-bat and hit the ball hard and try to make something happen,” McBride said.

With one swing, McBride derailed the Royals’ roll, snapping their three-game winning streak. Kansas City saw its lead in the AL Central shrink to one over Detroit.

Danny Duffy (8-11) was cruising along with a 2-1 lead until a two-out error by third baseman Christian Colon in the sixth opened the door for a big inning. McBride lined a fastball from Duffy into the left-field bleachers, then zipped around the bases in exhilaration.

“Just had an adrenaline rush,” he said.

It was McBride’s first homer since Sept. 25, 2012, and the third of his career. He was called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs the day before after what’s been a tumultuous last two seasons. He missed a big chunk of 2013 after undergoing neck surgery and was out earlier this year with a broken foot.

“Another guy with a great story, who’s been through a lot,” Rockies’ manager Walt Weiss said.

That was more than enough for De La Rosa (13-8), who allowed five hits and two runs against his former team. He also got the Royals to hit into four double plays, tying a franchise record for most by a single pitcher in a game.

Even more, he improved to 9-2 at Coors Field – a place that’s haunted many a pitcher but not the hard-throwing lefty.

“I like to pitch here,” De La Rosa said. “It’s a challenge for me every time I pitch here.”

Duffy was in command most of the night as he allowed five hits and five runs, one earned, in seven innings. After getting two quick outs in the sixth, Colon fielded a grounder and threw a one-hopper that first baseman Billy Butler couldn’t scoop. Wilin Rosario singled, and Corey Dickerson drew a walk to set the stage for McBride.

“I wish I could take it back and make the play,” Colon said.

Another hard-luck loss for Duffy, who’s the only AL starter with a losing record and an ERA under three runs.

“I can’t lose focus like I did on that one pitch,” said Duffy, whose team finished 15-5 in interleague play. “I feel terrible for the mistake I made.”

H H H

This was just the second time De La Rosa faced his old team. He spent two seasons with the Royals before being dealt to Colorado in 2008 for cash considerations.

He was cashing in on his changeup to get out of one jam after another.

“His changeup, that’s his moneymaker,” Weiss said. “It’s a great pitch.”

Royals’ manager Ned Yost seconded that opinion.

“His changeup is a killer,” said Yost, whose team has won 22 of their last 28 games. “It’s a hard pitch to pick up.”

De La Rosa’s only mistake was in the second when he grooved a 91-mph fastball that Alex Gordon hit into the right-field bleachers.

H H H

Royals catcher Salvador Perez was a late scratch because of tightness in his right knee. He will have a precautionary magnetic resonance imaging exam Thursday.

Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer was out another day with a strained left hamstring. He said he’s confident he will be back in the lineup Friday.

H H H

After a day off, Kansas City will begin a three-game series in Texas. Yordano Ventura (9-9) will start Friday. His nine wins are third-most among rookies this season.

The Rockies will have their second off day this week Thursday. They will begin a three-game series with Miami on Friday. LHP Franklin Morales (5-6) will get the start after missing his last turn in the rotation for the birth of his daughter.



Reader Comments