Rockies' defense rules in 2-1 win over Rays

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post on Mar 29, 2025

Published in Baseball

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Diamond gems and outfield heroics rescued the Colorado Rockies in their 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays Saturday afternoon.

Colorado’s offense didn’t produce much at breezy George M. Steinbrenner Field, but its defense was top-notch, producing highlights in nearly every inning. And closer Seth Halvorsen set down four in a row to record the save, taking some of the sting out of Colorado’s opening-day, 3-2, walk-off loss.

The Rockies’ offense was tepid but got the job done. Singles by Nick Martini and Jordan Beck, followed by an RBI single to center by Brenton Doyle, gave Colorado a 1-0 lead in the third.

That was the only run surrendered by Tampa Bay starter Zack Littell. The right-hander limited Colorado to four hits, struck out seven and walked none.

Colorado expanded its lead to 2-0 in the seventh on a one-out double by catcher Hunter Goodman, who scored on Kyle Farmer’s two-out single to right.

Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela gave up nine hits, eight exceeding 100 mph off the bat, and also walked two. But the right-hander tightroped for 4 1/3 scoreless innings despite notching no strikeouts.

Colorado’s defense was “Senza’s” salvation. The gold standard was center fielder Doyle’s diving, sliding catch to rob Yandy Diaz of extra bases leading off the fifth. But there were a series of excellent defensive plays.

Left fielder Jordan Beck fielded a ball off the wall and relayed to shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who nailed Junior Caminero at the plate to end the first inning. In the third, the Rays sent five batters to the plate but came up empty when third baseman Ryan McMahon started a slick 5-4-3 double play and right fielder Nick Martini threw out Jonathan Aranda trying to score from second on Kameron Misner’s single.

In the sixth, McMahon teamed with first baseman Michael Toglia to snuff out a would-be rally. Yandy Diaz hit a high chopper to McMahon, who had to hurry a one-hop throw to Toglia. Toglia cradled the ball with his glove against his chest to end the inning.

Toglia made another excellent play in the eighth. With a run in and two on for the Rays, Diaz ripped a ball toward right field. The ball took a bad hop, but Toglia stayed with it and tossed to Halvorsen, covering the bag.

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