Kyle Freeland allowed four hits and two runs with eight strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter across 7 1/3 innings in a brutal no-decision against the Pirates on Friday.
Freeland had everything working here. He breezed through the first seven innings throwing just 75 pitches and facing two batters over the minimum. Then, consecutive doubles forced him from the game in the eighth and reliever Jaden Hill let his inherited runner score after just one pitch. Nevertheless, Freeland played his fastball, cutter, and knuckle curve off each other beautifully to turn in his best start of the season. Just don’t forget that he still has a 7.36 ERA and that the Rockies are playing 12 of their next 15 games at home in Coors Field. Freeland’s next start is scheduled to come at home against the Red Sox.