It was Todd Helton throwback night at Coors Field last night as he exploded at the plate and led the Rockies to a 9-6 victory over the Reds. Helton went 2 for 5 on the night with two three run home runs. It was Helton's first multi-home run game since 2011 and the six RBI was the most for him in a game since 2003 when he also had six RBI in a game against the Dodgers. The Rockies finished the game with 19 hits which was one shy of their season high. Six Rockies had multiple hits on the night led by Wilin Rosario who had four, and Troy Tulowitzki and Charlie Blackmon who had three hits apiece. It was a good start to the series for the Rockies and they will look to dominate the Reds again on Saturday night.
The Rockies will hand the ball off to Juan Nicasio tonight in the second game of the series against the Reds. Nicasio is 8-6 on the year with a 4.57 ERA in 25 games started. His ERA is high on the year, but since he was recalled from the Minor Leagues he has been much better than that. He got the win in his last start against the Giants as he went six innings allowing only four hits, no runs, two walks and struck out nine. The nine strikeouts tied a season high for him which he also had in a game against the Marlins towards the end of July. Nicasio has been good at home this year as he has a 4-1 record with a good 3.56 ERA in 11 starts at Coors Field. This will be the second start against the Reds this year for Nicasio as he also faced off against them on June 4th at Cincinnati. In that game he got a no decision as he went six innings allowing five hits, three runs, issued two walks and struck out three. Current Reds players are hitting for just a .192 combined average with four doubles and three RBI in 26 at bats. Nicasio will need to show control tonight and work the bottom half of the zone. The Reds are notorious for capitalizing on pitches up in the zone, and when they do the opposing teams are going to be in for a long night.
The Reds will be sending Former Rockies pitcher Greg Reynolds to the mound tonight to face off against his former team. Reynolds was a former 1st round pick (2nd overall) in the 2006 draft by the Rockies, but he never panned out and was what many consider to be a draft bust. This year he has made two starts and has taken the loss in each of those games. He pitched well in his last start against the Brewers but did not get much run support which is why he took the loss. In that game he went six innings allowing five hits, two runs, had two walks and struck out two. The only Rockies player that he has ever faced is Michael Cuddyer and he has no hits in three at bats against him. The Rockies are familiar with Reynolds and what he throws so it will be no surprise when he takes the hill. He will obviously be going out there tonight looking to make a statement against his former team and show that he still has the stuff to be considered a great pitcher. The Rockies will need to jump on him early and often and try to make sure that he remembers why the Rockies let him go.
The Reds lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Shin-Soo Choo, CF
2. Brandon Phillips, 2B
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. Jay Bruce, RF
5. Ryan Ludwick, LF
6. Todd Frazier, 3B
7. Devin Mesoraco, C
8. Zack Cozart, SS
9. Greg Reynolds, P
The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Corey Dickerson, LF
2. Jonathan Herrera, 2B
3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Wilin Rosario, C
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Charlie Blackmon, CF
9. Juan Nicasio, P
First pitch for the game tonight is scheduled for 6:10 PM Mountain time. The Rockies will be looking to secure a third straight series victory and also trying to build on their offensive success from last night. Juan Nicasio will be looking for his ninth victory of the season and get the win in his third straight decision.
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