The Colorado Rockies managed to earn a vital win on Wednesday, thanks to Hunter Goodman’s ninth-inning home run that swung the game in their favor. Entering the late stages of the season, this Hunter Goodman Rockies game winner arrives as a critical boost in a difficult year for the team’s playoff hopes.
Though Goodman didn’t begin the game in the lineup, the catcher came off the bench in the ninth inning with a runner on first base, facing left-handed pitcher JoJo Romero. On the fifth pitch, Goodman hit a powerful 436-foot home run to center field, giving Colorado a 6-5 lead that they held onto for the win.
Rockies Retain Key Players Despite Trade Rumors
Leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, rumors swirled about multiple Colorado Rockies players potentially being moved as the team struggled through the season. However, the Rockies surprised many by keeping most of their trade-eligible players on roster, signaling hope that some retained talent could help salvage their campaign.
Despite their persistently poor record, holding onto key guys gave the team renewed optimism that an <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB-record loss total might still be avoided. Yet, the weeks immediately after the trade deadline remained tough for Colorado, as they lost eight straight games, often by wide margins, even as the All-Star break passed.
Recent Performances Offer Glimmers of Hope
Since then, there have been signs of improvement. On Tuesday, the Rockies snapped their losing streak with a strong pitching effort from Kyle Freeland in a win against the St. Louis Cardinals. The following day, Hunter Goodman’s clutch hitting provided exactly what Colorado needed, supporting the momentum needed to fight off what had looked like an inevitable historically bad season.
With a 32-88 record now, the Rockies need to win at least 10 of their remaining 42 games to avoid surpassing the major league record for losses set by last year’s Chicago White Sox, who finished with 120 defeats. If the team keeps building on its recent success, this milestone might be avoided.
Upcoming Schedule Will Test Rockies’ Resolve
Looking ahead, the Rockies still face a tough lineup of opponents that will challenge their ability to continue improving. They will host the Arizona Diamondbacks for four games before welcoming the Los Angeles Dodgers for another four-game set at Coors Field. After those series, Colorado travels to face the Pittsburgh Pirates and then plays a three-game series against the Houston Astros.
These matchups will be crucial for the Rockies in maintaining any hope of avoiding baseball’s all-time worst loss record while ending their season on a more positive note.