Rockies Edge Reds on Wild Pitch, Avoid All-Star Break Infamy

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The Colorado Rockies narrowly avoided joining an infamous club Friday night, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 3–2 at Great American Ball Park. The victory ended a three-game skid and gave Colorado its 22nd win of the season, just enough to avoid tying the record for fewest wins before the All-Star break—a mark currently held by the 1945 Phillies and the 1952 Pirates with. Germán Márquez was dominant on the mound for Colorado, striking out a season-high eight batters while allowing just four hits and one earned run over six innings. Márquez exited with a 2–1 lead, thanks to a two-run home run by Ryan McMahon in the fourth inning that briefly put the Rockies ahead. The Reds, however, fought back in the seventh. Jake Bird, in relief, allowed a single and a double to put runners in scoring position. T.J. Friedl tied the game with an RBI groundout. In a critical moment, Bird intentionally walked Elly De La Cruz with two outs and a runner on third, then struck out Austin Hays to preserve the tie. The decisive moment came in the top of the eighth. Reds reliever Tony Santillan loaded the bases with two outs but was one strike away from escaping the jam when a wild pitch allowed Hunter Goodman to score the go-ahead run.

Despite a strong offensive night from Reds infielder Noelvi Marte—who went 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles—Cincinnati was unable to capitalize on its opportunities, stranding runners in eight of the nine innings. Victor Vodnik closed out the game for the Rockies, securing his second save of the season despite allowing a ninth-inning double to Marte and issuing De La Cruz’s third intentional walk of the game. Looking ahead, Colorado sends Bradley Blalock (0–2, 12.94 ERA) to the mound in Saturday’s matchup against Cincinnati’s Brady Singer (7–7, 4.32 ERA).