Chase Dollander pitches brilliantly as Rockies beat Astros, snap six-game losing streak

Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post on Apr 17, 2026

Published in Baseball

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Talented right-hander Chase Dollander pitched like the ace he’s expected to become in the Rockies’ white-knuckle, 3-2 win over the host Astros at Daikin Park Thursday night.

The victory, buffered by Colorado’s shutdown bullpen, snapped Colorado’s six-game losing streak.

Dollander didn’t get the start — Colorado used Juan Mejia as an opener — but Dollander entered the game in the first inning, pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings, and struck out nine. He gave up one run and walked two. Dollander’s nine strikeouts tied a franchise record for the most strikeouts by a reliever. He tied Bruce Ruffin, who had nine Ks in relief on Sept. 14, 1993, the Rockies’ inaugural season.

Key moments

There were multiple high-wire moments, to wit:

— In the sixth, Dollander issued a leadoff walk to Isaac Parades, and Carlos Correra ripped a double to left field off the glove of third baseman Kyle Karros. Dollander looked to be in deep trouble but kept his cool. He got the dangerous Christian Walker to ground out to short by using a nasty sinker. Then Dollander struck out Joey Loperfido and Cam Smith to end the threat.

— In the seventh, the Astros loaded the bases against right-hander Jaden Hill, but on a 2-2 count, Correa lined out softly to first baseman T.J. Rumfield and Colorado’s lead held.

— In the top of the seventh, Colorado loaded the bases with one out but failed to score. AJ Blubaugh struck out Goodman for the second out. Then Mickey Moniak hit a sharper grounder to the right side that looked like a two-run single, but Houston second baseman Jose Altuve made a brilliant, sliding grab and threw out Moniak.

— In the fifth, Hunter Goodman ripped a two-out double to center and Tyler Freeman attempted to score from first base. It seemed like a done deal, but Freeman was erased at the plate by catcher Yanier Dias after perfect throws from center fielder Taylor Trammell and Correa from short.

Who’s hot

Goodman (2 for 3 with a walk) hit a leadoff homer in the fourth inning, his fifth.

Freeman hit 3 for 5 and drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth. Freeman is batting .300.

Center fielder Brenton Doyle has run cold much of the season, but he hit 2 for 3, drew a walk, and stole two bases (he has five this season) and scored on Freeman’s single in the fifth to give Colorado its 3-2 lead. Doyle raised his average by 26 points to .226.

Who’s not

Mejia failed to get out of the first inning. In two-thirds of an inning, he gave up two runs on two bloop hits, uncorked a wild pitch, and plunked Christian Walker. Dollander came to his rescue.

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has cooled down after a hot start. He went 0 for 4, and his average sits at .233.

Worth noting

The Rockies threatened to repeat some bad history, but managed to escape infamy. Colorado had gone winless on a road trip of at least seven games just twice in franchise history: Sept. 15-21, 2011, at San Francisco and San Diego, and June 25-July 1, 1999, at San Diego and at San Francisco.