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Joined: 26 Jan 2019 Posts: 51
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Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 2:33 am Post subject: MIAMI (AP) — Making his first opening day start Prince Field |
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Kyle Freeland pitched like it was just another game, which means the Colorado Rockies won.The left-hander allowed two hits and one run in seven innings, and Colorado beat the sloppy Miami Marlins 6-3 Thursday.Freeland (1-0), who had a breakout 17-win season in 2018, retired his first 11 batters before Starlin Castro lined a single. The only other hit Freeland allowed was a pinch-hit home run by J.T Riddle leading off the sixth inning.“I try to keep my mental state the same throughout the season,” the left-hander said. “I try not to change anything just because it’s opening day and a new season. There’s really no reason to.”True enough. The Rockies have won 16 of Freeland’s 18 regular-season starts since July 2, and he has won nine consecutive decisions, the longest active streak in the major leagues.Miami had only four hits but had three home runs, including two by pinch-hitters for only the second time in franchise history. But the crowd was booing by the fourth inning, when the Rockies scored four times with the help of two errors.Colorado’s Nolan Arenado began earning his new $260 million, eight-year contract when he doubled to start the fourth and scored the first run off Jose Urena (0-1). Trevor Story homered , and David Dahl had three hits and scored twice.“We feel like we’re a long and deep lineup, and there are no easy outs,” Story said.Overall, it was the kind of start the Rockies had in mind as they seek their third consecutive trip to playoffs, and the first NL West title in franchise history.One downer for Colorado: Charlie Blackmon and newcomer Daniel Murphy each went 0 for 5 at the top of the order.The Rockies had a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning for Freeland, who struck out five and threw 93 pitches. He committed a throwing error but also made a nifty barehanded grab on the run to cover first for a 3-1 putout.Manager Bud Black liked the way Freeland responded with men on base.“He has the ability to make pitches at critical times,” Black said. “The fight in him is second to none.”The Marlins are off to a 0-1 start for the fifth consecutive year Adrian Beltre Jersey , and despite a rebranding that includes new colors and a new logo, they could be headed for their 10th losing season in a row.Neil Walker hit a pinch-hit homer in his first at-bat for Miami. Teammate Jorge Alfaro, another Marlins newcomer, homered with two out in the ninth.COSTLY COMEBACKERDahl hit a line drive off Urena’s left calf in the second inning, prompting a visit to the mound by Miami’s trainer. Urena went on to allow six runs, four earned, in 4 2/3 innings.“Jose hung in there,” manager Don Mattingly said. “I think after he got hit, it took some wind out of his sails. You could see it as the game went on.”Urena said the injury wasn’t serious.“It’s going to be a little tender, a little bit tight, but I’ll be fine,” he said.MARLINS LAPSESMiami’s defense turned leaky in the fourth, when shortstop Miguel Rojas made a wild throw to first and center fielder Lewis Brinson let a single elude him, allowing a runner to score from first.Earlier, catcher Alfaro was slow to pursue a pitch that bounced away from him, which permitted a runner to advance.“When you don’t play a crisp game — we made some mistakes that led to runs,” Mattingly said.Derek Jeter, beginning his second season as the Marlins’ CEO Nolan Ryan Jersey , watched the start of the game from the second row but was out of there by the fourth.DIFFERENT LOOKThe game drew a crowd of 25,423 at Marlins Park, where the outfield wall is now navy instead of a garish green, and the widely disliked home run sculpture has been replaced by a tiered, standing-room-only area.With rain in the area, the retractable roof was closed.TRAINER’S ROOMRockies: Before the game, they placed LHP Chris Rusin (mid-back strain) and RHP Antonio Senzatela (blister infection, right heel) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 25.UP NEXTRHP German Marquez (14-11, 3.77 in 2018) is scheduled to start Friday for the Rockies against RHP Trevor Richards (4-9, 4.42). CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Bryce Harper came to Philadelphia to do the one thing he didn’t accomplish in Washington: Win in October.The Phillies gave him one of the biggest contracts in baseball history to deliver.“I want to be on Broad Street and hold a (World Series) trophy over my head,” Harper said after signing a $330 million, 13-year contract.The 26-year-old slugger was a six-time All-Star, 2012 NL Rookie of the Year and 2015 NL Most Valuable Player during seven seasons with the Nationals. But he couldn’t help Washington win a postseason series in four tries.That won’t cut it in Philadelphia.“We didn’t make this move to win 83 games,” owner John Middleton said.The Phillies have had six straight losing seasons and haven’t reached the postseason since 2011. They were 80-82 last year, losing 33 of the final 49 games after leading the NL East in early August.Expectations already were high after the team acquired All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, two-time All-Star shortstop Jean Segura Rougned Odor Jersey , 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen and reliever David Robertson. Adding Harper skyrocketed everyone’s hopes, especially fans who jumped on tickets and No. 3 jerseys.“You’ll always be remembered for winning and what better place to do it than Philly,” Harper said.He’ll make his debut in red pinstripes when the Phillies host the defending NL East champion Atlanta Braves on March 28.Here’s some things to know about rebuilt Philadelphia:NEW FACES: Harper is the new face of the franchise but he can’t do it alone. Realmuto is one of the best at his position and could raise his offensive production in a hitter-friendly ballpark. Segura solidifies an important spot and bolsters the lineup. McCutchen is determined to prove he’s not done yet. Robertson is a key part of a deep bullpen.THE SKIPPER: Manager Gabe Kapler was heavily criticized and intensely scrutinized in his first season leading the team. He took plenty of heat for using a lot of pitchers, different lineups and some even had issues with his positive approach. The Phillies won the offseason and now it’s up to Kapler to help the team win games.ACES WILD: Aaron Nola established himself as one of the best starters in the majors last year, finishing third in Cy Young Award voting. The right-hander, who takes the mound on opening day for the second straight season, anchors a questionable rotation. Jake Arrieta got paid to be an ace last year but pitched more like a No. 4-5 starter. His velocity has improved in spring training and he’s feeling better following offseason knee surgery. If Arrieta pitches like he did when he won the 2015 NL Cy Young Award with the Cubs, the Phillies could have a top 1-2 punch. They’ll need more from Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Zach Eflin or the offense will have to outslug opponents quite often.DYNAMIC LINEUP: Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco are going from batting in the middle of the order to hitting in the lower third in Philadelphia’s revamped lineup. That’s how deep and balanced the new-look offense will be with Harper, Realmuto, Segura and McCutchen joining slugger Rhys Hoskins and Cesar Hernandez. Seven of the eight hitters have hit 20 homers in a season, including six of them in 2018 and Hernandez had a career-best 16 last year.DEEP PEN: Robertson adds depth to a formidable group that includes Seranthony Dominguez, who emerged as the closer as a rookie last season. Former closer Hector Neris rebounded nicely late in the season after losing his job. Veterans Pat Neshek, Tommy Hunter and newcomer Jose Alvarez make this a strong unit that could get the call often if the rotation falters. |
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