July 10, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard (16) reacts after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports The Colorado Rockies will have a chance to split a road series Thursday afternoon when they take the field against the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a four-game series.
The Rockies held on for a 6-5 victory Wednesday, marking just their 13th win in 46 away attempts.
Sam Hilliard hit two home runs, his first two in a Rockies uniform since returning from spending the 2023 season in Atlanta. He spent the first three months of this season with Triple-A Albuquerque before Colorado promoted him in late June.
“I love being back with the Rockies,” Hilliard said. “It feels like home. It feels really, really good. I worked really hard and it paid off (Wednesday). Hopefully I can keep that going, build momentum and have some opportunities to help the team win.”
Hilliard hit just three homers in 40 games with the Braves last year after hitting 29 in 214 games with the Rockies from 2019-22.
Colorado starter Kyle Freeland beat the Reds on Wednesday, the Rockies’ first victory against Cincinnati in six attempts this season.
Freeland allowed just two runs on eight hits and walked just one while striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings. He recorded his first win of the year in his eighth start.
The Rockies will send another left-hander to the mound on Thursday morning, Austin Gomber (2-5, 4.47 ERA).
In his last start, Gomber earned his first win since May 15, throwing a season-high 99 pitches while pitching seven innings of one-run ball against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. He allowed six hits and no walks while striking out three batters.
Gomber is 1-1 with a 4.78 ERA in eight career outings, including four starts, against the Reds.
Cincinnati counters with right-hander Hunter Greene (5-4, 3.45), a freshman All-Star selection. He was chosen to replace injured Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
“I hope I get a lot more opportunities and enjoy moments like this,” Greene said. “It’s exciting to be able to do it this early (in my career).”
Greene was dominant in his start Saturday against the Detroit Tigers, allowing just three hits in seven shutout innings, striking out seven and issuing two walks.
The Reds are averaging 3.39 runs per game in which he starts, which is the third-lowest number among eligible starters in the major leagues through Tuesday’s games.
Greene is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in two career starts against the Rockies, both in Denver.
Before Wednesday’s game, the Reds moved right-hander Graham Ashcraft from his option at Triple-A Louisville to the 15-day injured list because of a sore right elbow.
Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the team will wait to see how he responds to rest over the next two weeks before determining the next course of action.
Cincinnati rookie Rece Hinds had another impressive outing Wednesday. After hitting a home run in his first two major league outings the previous two days, he added a drive-in single.
Austin Slater made his Cincinnati debut, starting in center field and going 1 for 3. He was acquired from the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in exchange for left-handed reliever Alex Young.
–Field level media
