COLORADO ROCKIES

Kris Bryant goes hitless but makes great catch in return

Jul 23, 2024, 9:35 PM | Updated: Jul 24, 2024, 9:04 am

DENVER — In his first major-league game since June 2, Kris Bryant made his biggest impression in the field.

At the plate, Bryant struggled.

The Rockies’ maligned and oft-injured slugger went 0-for-3 with a walk in his return from his latest stint on the injured list, a 43-game stretch that saw him deal with a rib contusion and an oblique strain, the latest injuries to accumulate for the 32-year-old.

But lining up in right field, Bryant quickly hit full speed, recording the Rockies’ best defensive play of the night in what would be a 6-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

It came in the top of the first inning, with a leadoff runner on first base. Boston’s Rob Refsnyder lined a shot to the right-field corner. However, Bryant had it tracked well. He quickly hit full speed to the right-field corner, reached out and made a lunging catch to prevent what could have been at least a double.

Unfortunately for the Rockies, matters turned faster than milk left atop a space heater. Two batters later, Rafael Devers delivered an RBI double, and Tyler O’Neill crushed his first of two home runs to put the Rockies in a 3-0 hole before they came to bat.

Just seven Colorado batters reached base against Boston starter Cooper Criswell, who threw seven shutout innings before the bullpen took over.

Criswell induced double plays from Elias Díaz, Brenton Doyle and Brendan Rodgers, squelching any hopes of a Colorado comeback. It was a humbling comedown after a thrilling 9-8 extra-innings win Monday night to open the series in front of a crowd that appeared to have more members of Red Sox Nation than Rockies rooters.

KRIS BRYANT AND HIS PLATE APPERANCES

At the plate, Kris Bryant was a performance that encapsulated the desultory, smoky night.

Batting fifth, Bryant opened the night by striking out twice. He subsequently walked in the bottom of the seventh and grounded out to end the game.

This was the 25th game this year for Bryant. He has yet to play in more than half of the games in any of his Rockies seasons. To do so this year, he must play in 56 of the remaining 60 games — a tall task for a player who has as many stints on the injured list as home runs this year — two apiece.

The Rockies will go for the series Wednesday in an afternoon homestand finale at Coors Field.

Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals points to Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies dur...

Jake Shapiro

Report: Cardinals may trade millions of dollars just to move Nolan Arenado

The St. Louis Cardinals may be on the verge of doing exactly what the Colorado Rockies did a few years ago; trading Nolan Arenado and a stash of cash to another club

6 hours ago

Charlie Condon was selected third overall by the Colorado Rockies during the 2024 MLB Draft...

Jake Shapiro

Experts say Rockies have just two of MLB’s top 100 prospects

It might be a long time before the Colorado Rockies pull themselves out of their rut if two separate MLB top 100 prospects lists are to be trusted

14 days ago

Colorado Rockies Owner Dick Monfort unveils an artwork for Charlie Blackmon at a ceremony honoring ...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies keep Charlie Blackmon around, hiring him for front office role

One of the best players in Rockies is staying with Colorado, Charlie Blackmon has been hired as special assistant to the general manager

17 days ago

The statue of 'The Player' is dusted with snow outside the stadium as Game 3 of the National League...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies fall in draft lottery, will likely miss out on Matt Holliday’s son

The Colorado Rockies fell in MLB's third-ever lottery for the league's 2025 Draft, and will pick at number four

2 months ago

Brendan Rodgers #7 of the Colorado Rockies turns the first half of a double play against Thairo Est...

Jake Shapiro

Rockies ink veteran to replace Rodgers at second base

The Rockies are taking a chance on a veteran second baseman in hopes of a rebound year to replace Brendan Rodgers

2 months ago

ULY 24: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated in the dugout by teammates after s...

Jake Shapiro

Bud Black says the obvious about Rockies slugger Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant’s time with the Rockies has been a disaster thus far but club manager Bud Black believes things could turn around in 2025

2 months ago

Kris Bryant goes hitless but makes great catch in return