The Rockies forced a split of the season series with the defending champion Athletics on Saturday afternoon, as a five run 6th inning was just enough to erase a 6-2 deficit and put the Rockies ahead and salvage the series.
Andrew Grieder (1-0) was stuck with the no decision but pitched admirably through his 4.1 innings. He left the game down 6-2 but had only allowed 1 earned run as the defense struggled mightily behind him committing 3 errors. Reliever Desmond Sullivan (1-1) entered the game with one out in the 5th inning and proceeded to let only 2 of the next 8 men reach base which proved to be just enough time for the Rockies offense to shake off the rust from the drive to Edmonton and start scratching some runs across in the 6th. After slamming the door again in the 6th the Rockies called on two-way player Ken Falconer to make his first pitching appearance of the season and he delivered a 7-pitch save to lock up the win for the Rockies.
Offensively, Mike Goldade and Kayde Kinaschuk paced the offense with two hits each, and Goldaded tacked on two RBI to go along with his hits as well. The Rockies leadoff hitter now has his OBP up to .500 on the season and continues to set the table effectively for the Rockies offense. Kinaschuk’s bat remains scorching hot as his two hits pushed his season average up to .462 in a small-sample 13 plate appearances, and the young outfielder continues to acquit himself well against Sunburst competition.
The Rockies take a 1-1 record into their last two games of the 4-game road trip tomorrow in St. Albert where they will try to sweep the Tigers and take three wins home to Calgary with them, first pitch is scheduled for 9AM at Legion Memorial Ballpark!
