Rockies hurry out of All-Star break with fast start in 6-4 win over Twins

Rockies Report, Game 97:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: After seeing 14 pitches Friday night, the Rockies had a 4-0 lead, and that explosion from the gate vaulted them to a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday, allowing them to emerge from the All-Star break on a high note.

That was all it took for Tyler Freeman, Mickey Moniak, Jordan Beck and Ryan McMahon to take care of business. All pounded extra-base hits at the expense of Minnesota starter Chris Paddack before many of the 37,759 on hand at Coors Field had taken their seats.

Freeman and Moniak’s doubles put the Rockies on the board, as Moniak drove Freeman home. Beck’s triple plated Moniak. Finally, McMahon finished the job by punishing Paddack’s hanging curve, walloping it 436 feet into the second deck of the right-field stands.

Look out on the second deck 🚀 pic.twitter.com/KYr3AcXZdP

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 19, 2025

Beck added a solo homer in the second inning, part of a 3-for-5 night in which he ended up a double shy of a cycle.

Honcho Homers >>> pic.twitter.com/tp1EneQhEB

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 19, 2025

Colorado’s 6-1 lead after six innings was threatened as Jake Bird’s summer struggles continued; he relieved Kyle Freeland in the seventh inning and surrendered an infield single, another single and a three-run blast on a hanging sinker that closed the gap to 6-4.

But Minnesota drew no closer, as Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen picked up the slack and preserved the lead.

Colorado is 23-74 and won just its second series-opening home game of the season.

ROCKIES STARTER’S REPORT

Freeland emerged from the All-Star break refreshed and delivered his smoothest start of the season, buoyed by the early run support and the return of Tovar at shortstop.

He scattered five hits and three walks over six innings, working his way out of three two-on jams over the course of the evening. Only Byron Buxton’s solo home run in the fifth inning marred Freeland’s night.

The result was Freeland’s second win of the season and his fifth quality start in his last seven appearances. Six-inning starts have become the norm for Freeland lately; he’s gone at least six innings in five of seven starts since May 30 and overall has reached the six-inning mark in 10 of 18 starts this season.

Eight of his 18 starts this season are quality starts.

BITS AND PIECES

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Seth Halvorsen got Willi Castro to chase a low, outside splitter for strike three and the final out with a runner on first in the top of the ninth.

NUMBER TO NOTE: 12.41 – Bird’s ERA since June 13.

WHAT’S NEXT: Antonio Senzatela gets the call on Saturday night; Zebby Matthews starts for Minnesota. First pitch is at 6:10 p.m. MDT.

Related

Rockies make a surprising outfielder trade in first deadline moveFreeland’s first complete game came with thoughts that it could be his last in a Rockies uniformRockies complete sweep as Freeland fires first career complete gameRockies pound Royals as Goodman blasts two homers on a four-hit nightRockies match 2025 win total as Sugano delivers gemBrenton Doyle activated as Rockies OF crowds ahead of deadline