Gomber delivers as Rockies sweep 2-game set vs. Astros
ROCKIES 6, ASTROS 3
Someone in the Twittersphere has created a nickname for the Rockies’ new lefty starter. Austin “Blake Street” Gomber. And on a cold, snowy Wednesday afternoon, Gomber looked right at home at Coors Field. He pitched six solid innings, allowing just two runs on two hits in Colorado’s 6-3 win over the Houston Astros.
The Rockies (6-12) won the two-game mini-series, capturing their second series victory of the season. Houston (7-10) has lost nine of its last 10.
Entering this season, the Rockies’ strength was expected to be their starting rotation, even after they lost lefty Kyle Free
land to a shoulder injury during spring training. The rotation has lived up to its billing, posting a 3.46 ERA through the first 18 games, sixth-best in the National League entering Wednesday’s play. At Coors, Rockies starters have a 2.84 ERA.
“They are feeding off each other, they’re passing the torch, and there is a great esprit de corps amongst the group,” manager Bud Black said. “It’s good to see. A group of guys in their mid-20s that’s really getting after it. It’s good stuff.”
Pitching in the snow for the first time, Gomber, Florida-born and raised, didn’t let the white stuff phase him. Nor did he allow the memories of his first start at Coors this season — seven walks in three innings vs. the Dodgers — to adversely affect him.
“You’re not gonna have your best stuff every time out,” said Gomber, who owns a 3.38 ERA and three quality starts in his four outings. “Today was one of those days where I was able to get ahead. I didn’t have my A-plus stuff, but I had good enough stuff to keep them off the board.”
Black was more complimentary.
“I definitely like the aggressive nature as to how he goes about it,” Black said. “His intent is to attack you. He threw some good sliders and I thought he threw some good fastballs and some good changeups. He had an outstanding curveball.”
Gomber struck out six, with five of the Ks coming on his big curveball. The southpaw’s only rough inning was the second. Houston tied the game, 2-2, on Yuli Gurriel’s two-run homer to left on a slider that caught too much plate. Alex Bregman drew a five-pitch walk from Gomber to lead off the inning.
Black was especially pleased Gomber set the Astros down in order in the third inning after Colorado had claimed a 4-2 lead.
“I like the fact that he went out there and put a quick zero on the board,” Black said.
And, finally, Colorado’s slumbering offense is beginning to stir.
Slugging shortstop Trevor Story still hasn’t hit a home run but he continues hitting the ball hard. In the first, he ripped a two-run double to left off Houston righthander Jose Urquidy, scoring Raimel Tapia and Ryan McMahon for a 2-0 lead.
A two-run second, highlighted by Yonathan Daza’s leadoff homer, the first homer of his career, gave Colorado the lead for good. Daza, who’s earning the starting job in center field, has batted 10-for-23 with two doubles, one homer and three RBIs in his last 10 games.
Colorado extended the lead with two runs in the sixth, the key hit an RBI double by catcher Dom Nunez, who finished the day 2for-4 with two RBIs.
The Rockies are off Thursday before opening a three-game series on Friday against Philadelphia at Coors Field.