Rockies fielding mistakes spoil strong Kyle Freeland start in loss at Phillies

The Rockies were leadoff home run kings in their road series opener at the Phillies but still fell short of a victory.

Fielding mistakes ultimately sunk Colorado in an 8-2 loss Monday and spoiled an otherwise strong start from pitcher Kyle Freeland. Third baseman Ryan McMahon committed two errors.

Connor Joe started the first inning on Monday with a 426-foot blast off Philadelphia starter Kyle Gibson to the second deck in left (his second leadoff homer in three games). Randal Grichuk followed suit in the second with another solo blast into the left-field bleachers at Citizens Bank Park. Then Colorado imploded in the third, giving up three unearned runs due to multiple fielding issues.

Shortstop Jose Iglesias dropped a relay throw at second for an error that allowed Philadelphia’s Rhys Hoskins to reach safely. He later scored on a J.T Realmuto RBI double off Freeland. Then Philadelphia took a 3-2 lead when Kyle Schwarber lifted a double to deep center that dropped between Charlie Blackmon and Grichuk. Blackmon pulled away at the last second in what appeared to be outfield miscommunication.

The Phillies extended their lead in the fifth with an opposite-field solo homer from Bryce Harper. It marked the only earned run for Freeland before getting pulled. He finished the night giving up six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts over five innings.

Freeland — signed to a five-year, $64.5-million contract extension last week — is still seeking his first win this season. But he didn’t get much help on Monday. McMahon committed an error in the first and seventh innings while mishandling short hops.

Colorado’s bullpen also imploded in the seventh. The Rockies turned to right-hander Ashton Goudeau in relief and he gave up consecutive singles before allowing two runs — via RBI sacrifice fly from Harper and a wild pitch. Left-handed reliever Lucas Gilbreath was also hung out to dry in the seventh when McMahon’s second error brought home two additional Philadelphia runs.

The Rockies (10-6) move ahead to play their second of a four-game series in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

This story will be updated.

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