Rockies ride Freeland’s gem, pair of 2-run homers to third-straight win

DENVER — Rockies Report, Game 11:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: Kyle Freeland twirled a gem and received all the support he needed via a pair of 2-run homers from Willi Casto and Mickey Moniak, which powered the Rockies to a 5-1 win that clinched a series win over the Houston Astros, setting up the chance for a sweep in the homestand finale Wednesday at Coors Field.

Castro’s fourth-inning homer broke a 1-1 tie. Moniak lofted a Kai-Wei Teng offering that arced and kept carrying — all the way to the Rockies’ bullpen, 382 feet away. That scored Kyle Karros from first base, pushing Colorado’s lead to 5-1 after seven innings.

Antonio Senzatela, who’d entered in the seventh inning to record the final two outs in efficient fashion — in two pitches via a fly ball to right field and a grounder to shortstop — took the Rox home from there. In the end, he delivered 2 2/3 perfect innings to seal the win, earning credit for the save — the first of his career.

Colorado is 5-6 and earned its first series win over Houston in 14 years. What’s more, the Rockies got their first home series win of the season — something they didn’t get in 2025 until July 21-23.

But as manager Warren Schaeffer is quick to remind anyone who asks, this is a different team.

“It started in spring training,” Moniak said. “I think everybody came in this year [and] there was a different feel from Day One. We’re just trying to go out there and win the day, whether we lose or win the day before, it’s a new day the next day. Gonna celebrate this one for the time being, then wake up tomorrow, and it’s 0-0.”

ROCKIES STARTER’S REPORT

A solo home run allowed to Christian Walker in the second inning was the only blip on Freeland’s ledger Tuesday night, as he kept the Astros off-balance and never let them string together consecutive baserunners at any point in the game. He allowed three hits and a walk — all in different innings.

It marked only the fourth time in Freeland’s career in which he allowed three or fewer hits and one or zero walks while pitching beyond the sixth inning. He accomplished that feat last Sept. 5 against San Diego; prior to that game, he hadn’t posted such a stat line since 2019.

“From the jump, really, everything was working,” Freeland said. “Changeup came along pretty well there later in the game … fastball location was great, keeping them off balance with off-speed, breakers down the zone. Everything was working good. ‘Sully’ (Catcher Brett Sullivan) was fantastic back there as well.”

BITS AND PIECES

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Moniak launched his third home run in the last three days to double Colorado’s lead in the seventh inning.

NUMBER TO NOTE: 2.30– Freeland’s ERA through three starts this season.

WHAT’S NEXT: Michael Lorenzen looks to rebound from his rough three-inning performance in the home opener last Friday; Cristian Javier gets the call for Houston. First pitch for the matinee is at 1:10 p.m. MDT.

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