The Rockies’ bold base running gamble backfires on them

Colorado Rockies pinch runner Kyle Freeland (42) reacts after being tagged out at home plate during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

The Colorado Rockies on Monday made the surprising decision to trot out a starting pitcher as a pinch runner. The strategy did not work out.

The Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies were tied 1-1 in the top of the ninth at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

After two quick outs to start the inning, Rockies catcher Elias Diaz got into scoring position with a double to left field.

Pinch running for Diaz in that spot seemed natural given his lack of speed. But Colorado surprised some fans by using starter Kyle Freeland to take Diaz’s place.

The Rockies had a thin bench that evening and thought that using Freeland was worth the risk.

Freeland was later able to advance to third on a wild pitch. The nerves may have gotten to Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman, who immediately threw another wild pitch in the dirt.

Freeland immediately took off for home. But Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto recovered the ball in time and flipped it to Hoffman in time to get Freeland out. Freeland, who did a hard slide to home plate, was injured on the play.

The game eventually went to extras, where the Rockies ended up losing in the 10th inning via a walk-off single by Phillies outfielder Cristian Pache, who had entered the game in the eighth as a pinch runner.

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