Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland is “fine,” according to manager Bud Black, after a collision at home plate with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jeff Hoffman.
Freeland, a starting pitcher from the Rockies, appeared to injure his right non-throwing shoulder while trying to score as a pinch runner in the ninth inning during their 2-1 loss Monday night.
Hoffman’s two-out pitch came from catcher JT Realmuto, and Freeland, who had just entered the game as a pinch runner, tried to score to give Colorado the lead. As Freeland slid home, Hoffman caught the ball and applied the tag as he landed on top of Freeland, who used his right arm to brace himself. Freeland immediately recoiled and held his right shoulder in pain.
“I wish baseball was more of a contact sport,” said Hoffman, who played four years with Freeland in Colorado. “That was a crazy play involving two throwers – just a crazy play. He threw it in the perfect spot for me. I hit the tag on him as fast as I could. We both got there at the same time.” .”
The Rockies challenged the play, but the call stood when the officials determined there was no interference.
“The home plate umpire saw it as a coming together of two players coming in and both trying to make a play,” Black said. “Kyle is trying to get to home plate, and Hoffman is trying to get the ball from Realmuto. The convergence and speed of play were such that there was no blocking of the plate.”
Why was a Rockies starting pitcher even on base? They were already down three players with back stiffness that sidelined Kris Bryant, and Brendan Rodgers and Jake Cave were ill. Catcher Jacob Stallings was the only non-pitcher on their bench.
According to Black, Freeland’s speed is a big reason why he put him in the game in that situation.
“We’re trying to win the game,” Black said. “Kyle is an athlete. He got hit. He ran. He’s one of our fastest players.”
The Phillies would give it away in the bottom of the 10th on a Cristian Pache RBI single.
