The Colorado Rockies return from the All-Star break with a fresh storyline on the mound as Gabriel Hughes prepares to face the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. The 24-year-old right-hander has made an immediate impression in his first two major-league appearances.
Colorado enters the game at 39-59, while Cincinnati is 43-52. The Rockies had been away from game action for four days after ending the first half with a 3-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Hughes’ Fast Start
Hughes opened his season with three scoreless innings against San Francisco, earning a save in his major-league debut. Five days later, he started at Dodger Stadium and struck out seven while allowing three runs over six innings.
Across nine innings, Hughes owns a 3.00 ERA with eight strikeouts and three walks. His four-seam fastball has averaged just over 93 mph and produced seven of his eight strikeouts.
| Pitcher | Record | ERA | Key Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Hughes | — | 3.00 | 8 strikeouts, 3 walks in 9 innings |
| Brady Singer | 3-9 | 4.72 | 76 strikeouts in 89.2 innings |
Opposing hitters have batted .130 against Hughes’ fastball in the small early sample. That pitch has given the Rockies a reason to watch closely as the young starter takes another step in the majors.
Singer Brings Recent Momentum
The Reds will send right-hander Brady Singer to the mound after he finished the first half with a strong outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Singer allowed one run over 7.1 innings in that start.
According to sports.yahoo.com, Colorado’s offense struggled entering the break, scoring three runs or fewer in four of its final five games. The time away could offer the lineup a chance to reset against Singer.
The Rockies reached the break 17 games ahead of their pace from last season, even as the club remains below .500. For Colorado, the return to play brings another opportunity to evaluate young contributors such as Hughes.
How to Follow the Game
First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. MDT at Coors Field. The game will air on Rockies.TV and on KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM and KNRV 1150.
