Rockies Game Notes: July 2, 2023 vs. Detroit
1:10 p.m. MT • Coors Field • Denver, Colo.
RHP Matt Manning (1–1, 4.15) vs. RHP Connor Seabold (1–4, 5.98)
TV: AT&T SportsNet • Radio: KOA NewsRadio
20TH & BLAKE
• The Colorado Rockies conclude their season-long nine-game homestand this afternoon as they look to capture the series win over Detroit, their final opponent of this stretch.
• The Rockies have gone 4–4 so far on the homestand despite a -34 run differential, taking two of three from the Los Angeles Angels before dropping two of three to the Dodgers.
• Following the homestand, the Rockies will embark on a five-game, seven-day road trip to Houston (July 4–5) and San Francisco (July 7–9) prior to the All-Star Break.
TWENTY-TWENTY TWO HALVES
• The Rockies have gone 20–23 at Coors Field heading into their final home game prior to the All-Star Break, being outscored by opponents 289–214 for a run differential of -75 … in 2022, were 28–23 at Coors Field at the All-Star break with a run differential of +23.
• In 43 home games this year, slashing .275/.332/.437 as a team with 40 home runs and a team ERA of 6.17 (388.0 IP, 266 ER) … in 2022, slashed .287/.352/.464 with 61 home runs at home in the first half while posting a team ERA of 4.87 (464.0 IP, 251 ER).
THE ROOKIE, THE FATHER
• Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has hit safely in a career-best 14 straight games (.357, 20-for-56), the longest active streak in baseball and the longest of the season for Colorado (last: 12 games by Randal Grichuk from April 29-May 15).
• The shortstop has a hit in 27 of 30 since May 27, batting .336 (39-for-116) through this span … his batting average over this period leads the Rockies, is 10th in baseball, fifth in the NL and second among rookies … over this span, has raised his season average from .223 to .270.
• Since coming off the paternity list on June 22, is slashing .375/.412/.656 with two home runs and 10 RBI in eight games (1.068 OPS).
• Tovar’s 1.2 defensive WAR (Baseball Reference) is the highest mark among Major League rookies, while his 1.8 overall WAR is tied for the fifth-best among ML rookies … his total WAR is currently the seventh-highest for a rookie in franchise history.
ROCK CITY
• The Rockies are hosting the Detroit Tigers at Coors Field for the first time since 2017 … it is the sixth time the two teams have met for a series in Denver, with the Rockies going 11–6 in those games.
• Colorado took two of three in Detroit last April, splitting a doubleheader on April 23 before the Rockies won the rubbermatch on April 24.
• The Rockies have gone 9–11 in Interleague play this season … have won each of their last three Interleague series, and four of six overall.
BIG MAC
• 3B Ryan McMahon has slashed .333/.423/.605 with seven doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 22 RBI in his last 34 games since May 25 … over that span, ranks among NL leaders in OPS (1.027, 3rd), OBP (4th), average (T-5th), total bases (78, T-5th), hits (43, T-5th) slugging (7th) and extra-base hits (17, T-9th).
• On the season, McMahon’s 20 doubles are tied for the seventh-most in the National League while his 35 extra-base hits are tied for the 14th-most.
• McMahon’s 2.6 WAR (Baseball Reference) is tied with Jeimer Candelario for the highest among NL players with at least 75% of their games at third base … his 12 defensive runs saved at third base are the most at the position (Sports Info Solutions).
• Since moving to third base full time for the 2021 season, McMahon’s 5.3 dWAR is the second-highest in the Majors among 3B with at least 75% of their games at the position … his 35 DRS and 28 outs above average are both the second-most through this span.
BLAME IT ON THE RAIN
• After going 15–13 in May the Rockies went 9–18 in June, tied with Detroit for the third-worst winning percentage in the Majors in June … were outscored 187–113 (-74) during the month… the Rockies have won fewer than 10 games in June four times in franchise history, most recently in 2014, when they went 8–20 in the month (.286).
• Rockies pitchers posted a 6.84 ERA (235.2 IP, 179 ER) in June … the only time the Rockies have finished a month with a higher ERA in a calendar month was May 1993 (7.03 ERA) … the next-lowest ERA in a single month was a 6.74 ERA posted in July, 1999.
• The starters went 2–13 (Austin Gomber picking up both wins) with a 7.51 ERA (124.2 IP, 104 ER) in June, the third-highest starters’ ERA in a month in franchise history (8.20 ERA, April 2004 and 7.57 ERA, June 2012).
JONESING
• INF/OF Nolan Jones has slashed .315/.398/.528 in 32 since his recall from Triple-A on May 26, reaching base in 26 of his 30 starts.
• Among NL rookies in June, ranked second in OBP (.413), third in OPS (.936), third in average (.322) … despite playing in only 32 games overall, his 1.7 WAR is the third-highest among NL rookies this season.
ON THE FARM
• C Drew Romo was 2-for-4 last night with Double-A Hartford and has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games … hitting .354 (17-for-48) across this span with six doubles, two triples and two home runs … has caught six of 11 attempted base stealers across this span (54.5 CS%).
• OF Yanquiel Fernandez, the Rockies selection for the Futures Game in Seattle, hit his 21st home run of the season Friday, his fourth in nine games since being promoted to Hartford … overall in 2023 between Fresno, Spokane and Hartford, Fernandez has 76 RBI in 67 games … in his MiLB career from 2021–23, has 219 RBI in 236 games.
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP CONNOR SEABOLD
STARTING THINGS OFF
• Laguna Hills, Calif., native is in his seventh professional season, his first with the Rockies organization.
• Selected by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal. State Fullerton … first selected by Baltimore in the 19th round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft but did not sign.
• On Aug. 21,2020 was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with Nick Pivetta to the Boston Red Sox for Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman.
• Designated for assignment by Boston, Jan. 12, 2023 … acquired by Colorado via trade for cash considerations or a player to be named later, Jan. 17.
• Made his Major League debut with Boson on Sept. 11, 2021 vs. Chicago-AL.
DUCKED INSTEAD OF DODGED
• Lost his last time out against Los Angeles-NL … allowed four runs on five hits over five innings in the 5–0 loss Tuesday night … struck out three for the seventh time in a start this season.
• Tied a career-high with a four game losing streak dating back to May 21 in a 13–3 loss to Texas … previously received four losses without a win between June 27 and Sept. 26 of last year (5 game span)
NEW MOTOR
• Seabold has never faced Detroit in his career.
• Has made one career start against the AL Central in his Major League debut on Sept. 11, 2021 against Chicago-AL … went three innings with three hits, two runs and two walks … recieved a no decision in the 9–8 Red Sox win.
CLICKING
• In three consecutive starts from June 1 to June 12 he set or matched a career-high in innings pitched in each start … pitched 5.1 innings on June 1 at Arizona, completing a career-high six innings in his start on June 7 vs. San Francisco and matched that career-high his last outing on Monday in Boston.
• Had posted a 2.08 ERA over those three outings (17.1 IP, 4 ER) with 15 strikeouts.
• Allowed two runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts on June 7 against the Giants at Coors Field … tossed 5.1 no-hit innings before allowing a one-out single to LaMonte Wade Jr. in the sixth inning … exited after facing two batters in the seventh, both of whom reached and came around to score … left with the Rockies leading 4–0.
START YOUR ENGINES
• Earned his first Major League win May 9 at Pittsburgh … allowed one run on three hits with a career-high three walks and three strikeouts across five innings in the 10–1 Rockies win.
• Made his first start of the season May 4 vs. Milwaukee at Coors Field … did not factor into the Rockies’ 9–6, allowing three runs on seven hits with no walks and one strikeout in five innings.
SHIPPED UP TO BOSTON
• On June 12, allowed one run over six innings, striking out six and walking one … matched a season-high six innings pitched and six strikeouts.
• First time in his career he has thrown six or more inning while striking out at least six and walking one or fewer.
• Had made six starts with the Red Sox across the 2021–22 seasons, going 0–4 with a 10.55 ERA (21.1 IP, 25 ER) … allowed 38 hits, including six home runs, with 10 walks and 19 strikeouts.
• His Major League debut came on Sept. 11, 2021 with Boston at Chicago-AL … went three innings and allowed two runs on three hits in a 9–8 Boston win.
ARM BARN
• Made seven relief appearances across two stints this season before joining the rotation … allowed eight runs on 18 hits across 13.2 innings (5.27 ERA).
• Has allowed 2.92 walks per nine on the year.
• Made his first career Opening Day roster this season with the Rockies before being optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on April 18 … recalled on April 28.
START ME UP
• Has made 16 career Major League starts dating back to his Major League debut on Sept. 11, 2021, going 1–8 with an 7.53 ERA (69.1 IP, 58 ER).
• As a starter, has struck out 52 and walked 27 while allowing 17 home runs.
DAY ’N’ NITE
• Across five games (four starts) in day games this season, Seabold has posted a 0–2 record with a 9.50 ERA (18.0 IP, 19 ER) … opponents are hitting .338 in day games with a 13.00 H/9 against the righty.
• Over his 12 night game appearances (six starts), has tallied a 4.53 ERA in 43.2 IP (22 ER) with a 1–2 record … opposing hitters are batting .259 with a 9.07 H/9 … both quality starts earned this season have come in night games.
SPLITTING UP
• The first time through the lineup, opponents are hitting .287 (35-for-122) compared to .271 (26-for-96) the second time through and .310 (9-for-29) the third time around.
• Opponents are slashing .290/.363/.519 with no runners on and .276/.333/.491 with runners on base.
WHAT ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO?
• Made his Major League debut and lone start of the season on Sept. 11, 2021 vs. the White Sox, allowing two runs over 3.0 IP with two walks.
• Spent most of the year with Triple-A Worcester, his first experience at the Triple-A level … went 4–3 with a 3.50 ERA (54.0, 21 ER), 19 walks and 52 strikeouts.
• In his final nine starts with the WooSox , went 4–1 with a 2.76 ERA (45.2 IP, 14 ER).
• Named Triple-A East Pitcher of the Week twice for the weeks of Aug. 2–8 and Aug. 30-Sept. 5.
• From his Triple-A debut on July 23 through the end of the season, ranked among Triple-A East leaders in ERA (8th, 3.50), opponent average (T-6th, .215) and WHIP (10th, 1.15).
• With Worcester, held left-handed hitters to a .146 average and .547 OPS (14-for-96).
COLORADO CONNECTION
• Lived in Colorado for five years during his youth.
• During that stretch, he pitched once at Coors Field while attending Castle View High School in Castle Rock (less than an hour south of Denver) before moving back to California.
TELL ME MORE
• Pitched three seasons at California State University, Fullerton … went 23–15 with a 2.89 ERA (280.0 IP, 90 ER),
• 44 walks and 294 strikeouts in 56 career appearances (42 starts).
• As a junior in 2017, was selected to the All-Big West Conference First Team and named a Collegiate Baseball.
• Second Team All-American … made one start in the 2017 College World Series against Oregon State.
