DENVER (AP) — Kyle Freeland tossed seven strong innings for his first win of the season, and the Colorado Rockies completed a series sweep of the struggling Cincinnati Reds 10-1 on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers broke out of a season-long slump with two hits and four RBIs and C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk homered for the Rockies.
Rodgers missed the previous four games with a balky back but said he felt good at the plate and at second base.
“Felt good throughout the whole game and felt good in (batting practice),” he said. “I’m just going stay on my exercises and what I’m doing in there and hopefully it’s all good.”
Freeland (1-3), who signed a five-year, $64-million extension on April 19, allowed a run and four hits against a Cincinnati team that is off to its worst start in franchise history. The Reds (3-19) have lost six straight and 17 of their last 18.
Brandon Drury homered and doubled for the Reds, who surpassed the 2018 team that started 4-18.
“Our focus is by turning this around; that’s it. Getting this going in the right direction,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said. “I believe so much in what we’re doing as a team as an organization like we’ve made so much progress.
“This is a tough, tough spot and I really have a lot of faith in our staff and our team to turn this around. That’s a huge challenge. But I know it’s going happen. That’s the only focus I have. I haven’t thought of anything else.”
Reds starter Reiver Sanmartín got only two outs before leaving after throwing 43 pitches. Sanmartín (0-4) gave up a two-run single to Grichuk and a two-run homer to Cron, his eighth. Rodgers had an RBI single and Sanmartín was done after loading the bases with two outs.
Sanmartín’s ERA ballooned to 13.78 after allowing six runs…
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