The Rockies suffered their first loss of the season Friday night in a pitcher’s duel between lefty starters Curtis Smith (1-1) and Tyrell King (1-1). This was the second time in three games that the two pitchers faced each other and King proved to be the better arm in Round 2 as he threw a complete game shutout allowing only three hits and striking out six. Smith navigated far more traffic with seven hits and three walks on the day, but it was a 6th inning mistake to Diamondbacks slugger Andrew Malone that proved to be the difference in this one. Malone’s solo shot was his league leading second home run on the year, both of which have come off of Smith.
Despite the loss on the mound, Smith earned the Player of the Game nod with the thirteen strikeout complete game effort against a tough Diamondbacks lineup. Although the bats were quiet overall, Luke Carmichael, Travis Gaudet, and Robbie Holmes continued their strong starts to the season at the plate by collecting the hits for the Rockies in the contest.
The Rockies and Diamondbacks continue their season series with Game 4 scheduled for next Monday May 29th at 6:30pm at Inland Athletic Park.
