In a dramatic turn of events, the Colorado Rockies have finally broken through, ending their unforgiving streak of 22 consecutive series losses—a record that loomed over the team since last season. With their recent 3-2 victory at Miami, topped by Hunter Goodman’s impressive showing with his third home run in just two games, the Rockies not only secured back-to-back wins but also their first series victory since September, when they last toppled the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Interim manager Warren Schaeffer expressed his relief and joy for the team, noting how significant this win was for the players. “That was big-time for the boys, to get that first series win,” Schaeffer said. “Who would’ve known it wouldn’t come until June? But the time is now; I’m happy for them.” This newfound momentum is crucial, especially for a squad that has struggled for consistency this season, boasting a league-worst record of 11-50.
Goodman, who’s quickly emerged as a key player for the Rockies, emphasized the positive shift in the team’s performance. “We had some rough games in the first part of the year, and being able to just be in ballgames and have a chance to win is always better than just not being in it,” he explained. His enthusiasm seems to resonate with his teammates, particularly centerfielder Brenton Doyle, who praised Goodman’s contributions. “He’s just raking, and when he’s hot, he’s one of the best hitters in the game,” Doyle said. “I hope he keeps it up. He’s one of my good buddies, and that was awesome.”
The Rockies’ path to victory also included a nail-biting moment in the ninth inning, when reliever Seth Halvorsen earned his third save in a high-pressure situation. After Heriberto Hernández launched a deep drive off Halvorsen’s 1-1 pitch, it appeared poised to clear the fence, but Doyle made a fantastic running catch at the wall to seal the game. Schaeffer could hardly contain his relief, candidly sharing, “I’m not going to lie; off the bat, I thought that was a homer. But it wasn’t, so it’s all good. It’s the best having Doyle in center field.”
This victory marks a notable milestone for the Rockies. They became just the fourth team in Major League Baseball history, since the league’s expansion in 1961, to wait 18 series before finally securing their first series win in a season. Previous teams that have faced similar circumstances include the 1987 San Diego Padres, the 1969 Montreal Expos, and the 1962 Washington Senators, all of whom managed to win their first series by their 19th attempt.
Before arriving in Miami, the Rockies had struggled on the road, showcasing a dismal 3-28 record that represented one of the poorest starts on the road in over a century. The team also hadn’t managed to win back-to-back road games since early September of the previous year.
Now, as they look to complete a series sweep against the Marlins, Schaeffer encapsulated the team’s newfound hope succinctly: “It’s nice to get a couple wins. It’s good to get that first series win. Now we just move forward.” Indeed, this moment could serve as a turning point, paving the way for a much-needed resurgence for the Rockies.
