Pitching for the Rockies is dangerous enough as it is, but now it’s actually dangerous to your health.
On Monday night, Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland’s decision to use a pinch runner backfired in an incredible way. Freeland became upset after attempting to score on a wild pitch in the ninth inning against the Phillies, wincing as he held his right arm with his arm as he pitched. Awkward angle.
Oh, and to add insult to injury, he ended up being tagged in a 2-1 walk-off loss in the 10th inning.
Rockies manager Bud Black said after the game that Freeland was “okay,” and team officials said the starting pitcher avoided “serious” injury. According to MLB.com.
According to MLB.com, most teams don’t use starting pitchers as pinch runners due to the obvious risk-reward factor, but the Rockies left their bench alone on Monday due to illness and injury.
So, after Colorado catcher Elias Diaz hit a double in the ninth inning of a 1-all game, manager Black opted to bring in Freeland to add a runner.
A wild pitch from Jeff Hoffman advanced Freeland to third base, and Freeland then attempted to score when a spiked pitch bounced off Phillies catcher JT Realmuto.
Unfortunately for Freeland, the ball went into the air after hitting the ground, allowing Realmuto to grab it and throw it to Hoffman while the Rockies pitcher rushed home.
Hoffman slipped and fell on Freeland, giving him the final out to end the inning.
Freeland lay on his stomach for a moment, then got up and walked away on his own, clearly in pain.
He was then in the dugout when the referee upheld the call.
“I wish baseball was more of a contact sport,” Hoffman said, according to MLB.com. “That was just a crazy play, a crazy play for two pitchers to get involved. He threw it in the perfect spot for me. I slapped the tag on him as quickly as possible. We both got there at the same time.”
With the loss, the Rockies fell to 4-13, but will wait to see if Freeland (0-3, 13.21 ERA) can start in their next scheduled game against the Mariners this weekend. Become.
