The parting gift for Rockies fans on Sunday afternoon was a gem from veteran left-hander Kyle Freeland and a crisp 3-1 victory over the Angels.
In the final game of the season at Coors Field, the Rockies managed only four hits, but it was enough with Freeland on the mound.
First baseman Blaine Crim, hitting cleanup, continued to make an impact. His leadoff homer in the fourth off of Los Angeles right-hander Caden Dana put the Rockies ahead, 2-1.
Crim also played a role in Colorado’s runs in the second and eighth innings. In the second, he drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on Jordan Beck’s walk, scooted to third on Brenton Doyle’s deep flyball to center, and scored on Kyle Karros’ sacrifice fly. In the eighth, his high infield chopper — a fielder’s choice — scored Mickey Moniak from third.
The Rockies (43-113) won two of three games from the Angels but still finished the season with a 25-56 record at Coors Field, the worst in the team’s history.
Freeland’s day got off to a rocky start.
Mike Trout, who hit the 400th home run of his career on Saturday night, led off with a double and scored on Jo Adell’s single to right. But that was on the only run Freeland gave up over his six innings. At one point, he set down 10 Angels hitters in a row.
Freeland limited the Angels to five hits, struck out seven and walked one. He escaped trouble in the sixth with the help of a brilliant play by rookie second baseman Ryan Ritter.
Taylor Ward led off with a single and advanced to second when Freeland gave up a one-out walk to Nolan Schanuel. But then Freeland induced Logan O’ Hoppe to hit a grounder to shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, but Tovar’s throw to second was low, forcing Ritter to make a difficult catch at the bag and make a whirling throw to first. Crim scooped up the one-hopper to complete the inning-ending double play. Freeland pumped his fist as he walked off the mound.
The Rockies’ bullpen trio of Jimmy Herget, Juan Mejia and Victor Vodnik blanked Los Angeles for the final three innings. Vodnik notched his 10th save.
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