Rockies win fourth-straight game, this time behind Gomber’s gem

Austin Gomber’s first season with the Rockies has been a test of patience. Sprinkled between good starts that aren’t backed up by offense have been frustrating performances that the 27-year-old doesn’t feel represents the pitcher he can be.

“I haven’t gotten us off to a good start,” Gomber said. “Things are starting to move in the right direction. Just keep that going; get us off to a good start so hopefully, we can carry that momentum the rest of the trip.”

Gomber did exactly that, twirling eight innings of four-hit, two-run ball that saw him strike out eight Mets without walking one en route to the win in Colorado’s 3-2 victory over the Mets in their latest road opener. Gomber, sporting a 1.40 ERA and .183 batting average against over his last three starts, got nine outs on his changeup Monday, something that pleased manager Bud Black.

“That was the thing that separated this game from other games — the use of the changeup, and the number of outs recorded, and the disrupting of their timing.”

The Rockies won only their third road game of the season, and remain a shockingly poor 3-17 away from Coors Field. But after Gomber’s third straight sterling outing — and a save by a newly healthy Carlos Estevez — Colorado hopes to be finally turning over a new leaf.

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NEXT UP: Rockies (19-29, 4th in NL West) at Mets (21-20, 1st in NL East) | Tuesday, May 25 at 5:10 p.m. | COL: Kyle Freeland (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. NYM: Jacob deGrom (3-2, 0.68 ERA).

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NOTES

• Ryan McMahon’s breakout season continued on Tuesday with his 12th home run of the season; tying him for fourth place in the National League. His 30 RBI tie him for seventh in the NL, and his 2.0 WAR has him tied for sixth.

• Perhaps the Rockies’ road luck is changing. In their previous four road openers, Colorado scored a total of one run and lost all four. Against the Mets on Tuesday, their three runs and a win finally flipped that script.

• The Rockies’ hitters, who average 8.6 strikeouts per game and have a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season, walked six times on Monday and struck out only five.

• Rio Ruiz was claimed off waivers by the Rockies. Ruiz, 27, was designated for assignment by the Orioles last Tuesday. “He was a prospect with the Braves and has some big-league service time with a little bit of performance here and there,” manager Bud Black said. “He was a guy that our scouts and our front office had a long look at over the last number of days and had some good reports on him. So, you know, he’ll go into Albuquerque and see what he can do. We’ll keep an eye on him and watch him. He adds some depth on the position-player side to our club.”

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THE FINAL WORD

“I can’t say enough about the job the boys did behind me — defensively, offensively, (Carlos) Estevez coming out of the bullpen. It was awesome.” — Austin Gomber, on Monday’s road win over the Mets.

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STARTING LINEUP

LF Raimel Tapia
SS Trevor Story
RF Charlie Blackmon
1B C.J. Cron
2B Ryan McMahon
3B Joshua Fuentes
CF Garrett Hampson
C Elias Diaz
SP Austin Gomber

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INJURY WATCH

• Kyle Freeland (strained left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1. He is expected to start against the Mets on May 25.
• Matt Adams (shin) joined Triple-A Albuquerque on a rehab assignment May 24. The Rockies hope he can be activated in early June.
• Ben Bowden (strained left shoulder) was placed one the 10-day IL on May 16.
• Chris Owings (left thumb surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-April and will likely be out until the All-Star break.
• Scott Oberg (blood clots) had surgery prior to the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Mar. 27 and his season is in doubt.

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Shawn Drotar is the host of “The Fan Late Night with Shawn Drotar;” weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight — only on 104.3 The Fan

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