Rockies get quality start from Hughes in MLB starting debut, but drop series finale

Rockies Report, Game 94:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: 2022 first-round selection Gabriel Hughes was equal to the task of the Dodgers’ potent lineup, delivering a quality start over six innings and 94 pitches, but a late — and rare, by recent work — bullpen wobble prevented the Rockies from getting their first series win over the Dodgers since June 2022 in a 4-3 series-ending loss at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night.

The final act was frustrating. Tied 3-3 headed into the eighth, the Rockies frittered away a two-on, no-out start to the frame with runners at second and third base. Braxton Fulford opened the eighth by reaching base on a Max Muncy error, and appeared as if he could score from first base on Jake McCarthy’s line drive four pitches later, but the ball skipped over the right-field wall for a ground-rule double, forcing Fulford to hold at third base. Hunter Goodman — used as a pinch hitter — and TJ Rumfield subsequently struck out, and Kyle Karros flied out, ending the threat.

Where the Rox couldn’t capitalize, Los Angeles did. Antonio Senzatela worked the eighth inning and allowed three-consecutive one-out singles, the last of which saw Mookie Betts score Tommy Edman from third base to create the final margin.

Nevertheless, the story of the night for the Rockies was Hughes, who recovered from a shaky first inning to retire 15-consecutive Los Angeles batters, giving the Rox a chance to climb back from an early 3-0 deficit.

“I thought it was a great first start for Gabe Hughes. He sees right off the bat that he can pitch against anybody,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer told media after the game.

Second-inning solo home runs from Kyle Karros and Edouard Julien off Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki knifed into the early three-run deficit; Mickey Moniak’s sacrifice fly in the third inning knotted the game, which is where it remained until the fateful eighth inning, as the Rox fell short in an area of the game where they’ve excelled, leading MLB in runs from the eighth-inning onward.

The Rox fell to 38-56.

ROCKIES STARTER’S REPORT

After the Dodgers sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning, the last thing anyone could have expected from Hughes’ first major-league start was for him to leave with his first quality start at the big-league level.

That first frame was rough. After getting Shohei Ohtani to fly out in five pitches, the next four Los Angeles batters reached base — including two via walks. One of those free passes included a wild pitch that scored Tommy Edman. After retiring Teoscar Hernández for the second out, Kyle Tucker delivered a bases-loaded line drive that bounced just in front of left fielder Mickey Moniak, scoring two runs.

But then Hughes dispatched the next 15 Dodgers he faced.

Have yourself a night, Gabriel 👏 pic.twitter.com/mM4gdDF407

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 9, 2026

“You never know how someone’s going to react to their first start, the first time in Dodger Stadium, first time against that really good lineup,” Schaeffer said.

“I think first inning he nibbled a little bit, didn’t do exactly what he wanted to do, and then completely flipped the script going back out there for the second and attacked hitters and just said, ‘Here, hit me,’ and it went really well for him.”

Hughes got ahead in counts on a consistent basis; 19 of his 24 first pitches went for strikes.

“It’s a perfect example of when you attack guys with good stuff, they have to adjust to you, and he was just relentless with his attack,” Schaeffer said.

BITS AND PIECES

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Tanner Scott retired the Rockies 1-2-3 in the ninth, succeeding where he failed Monday night.

NUMBER TO NOTE: 7 — Batters struck out by Hughes after his two first-inning walks — which were the only ones he issued Wednesday.

WHAT’S NEXT: After having his start pushed back a day, Ryan Feltner gets the ball as the Rockies begin a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants, whose starting pitcher is officially to be announced. First pitch from Oracle Park is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. MDT.

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