Rockies muster two hits, waste strong outing by Kyle Freeland in 1-0 loss to Dodgers

Kyle Freeland was stellar Saturday nighttime astatine Dodger Stadium, but the Rockies discourtesy couldn’t marque up for his lone mistake.

Austin Barnes’ leadoff homer successful the 2nd inning was each the discourtesy the Dodgers needed successful a 1-0 triumph implicit the Rockies, who were held to 2 hits successful the decision arsenic Freeland’s 7 beardown innings were squandered.

“We conscionable ne'er truly got into a presumption to get a large hit,” Rockies acting manager Mike Redmond said. “We weren’t capable to enactment immoderate unit connected them. I conjecture each erstwhile successful a portion you’ve got to extremity your hat, and they did a bully occupation pitching contiguous and we weren’t capable to prolong immoderate benignant of rally.”

Charlie Blackmon and Ryan McMahon had the lone hits for Colorado, which fell to 10-35 connected the roadworthy this year. The Rockies walked 4 times but lone mustered 1 runner successful scoring position, which was Blackmon aft his first-inning double, arsenic Colorado was unopen retired for the 12th clip successful 2021.

Freeland, meanwhile, was masterful each nighttime prevention for Barnes homer. Through a season-high 7 frames, helium allowed that 1 tally connected 5 hits, with six strikeouts and nary walks.

“He moved the shot in-and-out, and a mates times wherever helium did get into a hard situation, helium was capable to get a groundball double-play there,” Redmond said. “He looked wholly successful power contiguous and it was amusive to ticker him. I conscionable privation we were capable to people a mates runs determination to get him a large win.”

Right-hander Tony Gonsolin kept the Rockies disconnected the scoreboard for five-plus innings, past the Dodgers’ bullpen did the rest. The operation of Alex Vesia, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen — who had blown 3 consecutive saves coming in, including Friday’s bid opener — secured the shutout for L.A.

On the positive side, Freeland “felt bully for the archetypal clip successful a agelong time” successful regards to the recurring near mediate digit blister contented that he’s battled successful respective caller starts.

“I had nary issues with (a blister) — it ne'er got hot, it ne'er blistered,” Freeland said. “That’s good, and hopefully we tin proceed to enactment connected it and marque definite that I tin proceed to pitch.”