Rockies' young pitchers tough for contender to contend with

DENVER – Rockies rookie right-handed pitcher Bradley Blalock has found himself a character in the National League West race in his first two Major League starts. He has done well enough to fuel the notion he could have a starring role in the team’s pitching future.

Blalock faced a strong Padres lineup nearly three times and held it to one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings of the Rockies’ 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field.

The Brewers brought Blalock, 23, onto the squad on two occasions and gave him a one relief inning on June 20 for his Major League debut. His development pace accelerated when the Rockies acquired him for reliever Nick Mears days before the Trade Deadline.

Blalock’s start on Sunday was much like his first MLB start after his promotion to the Rockies from Double-A Hartford, Monday at Arizona. Blalock limited the Diamondbacks to three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, and left with the lead in the Rockies’ 5-4 loss. On Sunday, Blalock threw strikes on 57 of 87 pitches.

Blalock didn’t figure in the decision this time. He left with the score tied, 1-1. Fellow rookie Angel Chivilli struck out Kyle Higashioka looking to end the sixth inning with two on base and earned his first Major League win. But Blalock -- 24th on the Rockies’ MLB Pipeline Top 30 Prospects list -- feels prepared for Major League intensity.

“It’s the same game,” Blalock said. “But it’s the same game, no matter whether I’m in Hartford or in [Double-A Biloxi], where I was with the Brewers. It goes back to trusting your stuff and knowing you’re here for a reason.

“I got called up [by the Brewers] in May, went to Miami for a few days and was there as an emergency guy. That experience and getting to know the guys in the bullpen was good. It led to me feeling comfortable the next time I got called up. I didn’t really have the nerves that most people have the first time.”

Sunday proved that manager Bud Black is making sure all the younger pitchers are prepared.

Chivilli, 22, the Rockies’ No. 28 prospect, had been called up three previous times. But since his last promotion on July 30, he has found himself in increasingly tight situations. Chivilli (1-1) was put in position for his first Major League win after Brenton Doyle’s triple led to a two-run bottom of the sixth, and the right-hander then struck out one in a clean seventh.

Manny Machado’s eighth-inning leadoff homer ended veteran Tyler Kinley’s scoreless streak at 10 games. After Kinley quelled the eighth, rookie closer Victor Vodnik, 24, earned his ninth save. Vodnik needed a barehanded snag and throw from second baseman Brendan Rodgers -- after Vodnik had tipped Tyler Wade’s bouncer -- and overcame a walk.

“Three rookie pitchers today, eight innings -- Blalock, Chivilli, Victor,” Black said. “Those are things that we need from those guys. And I’m repeating myself, but you’re going to see more young guys coming.”

The Rockies made plans to call up Blalock from the moment they completed the trade. Drafted by the Red Sox in 2019, Blalock was traded to the Brewers for infielder Luis Urías last year at the Deadline.

“Last year, when I got traded, I was ready to go, and I knew I had an opportunity coming into this year with them,” Blalock said. “When I got traded here, I was ready to go. I knew if my time wasn’t going to come this year, I could come to Spring Training next year ready to go.”

The chance arrived when righty starter Ryan Feltner went to the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Blalock pitches to contact -- he struck out four in Arizona, two on Sunday. Black gave him a chance to finish the sixth, but Wade drew Blalock’s third walk.

Blalock is part of a quiet stocking of pitchers for next season. Barring trades, Kyle Freeland, Cal Quantrill, Austin Gomber and Feltner figure to return to this year’s rotation, and rehabbing veterans Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela should be back. The system is growing in starter depth, and trade acquisitions Blalock and Luis Peralta (from the Pirates for lefty reliever Jalen Beeks) only help.

“There’s a lot to like,” Black said. “Bigger picture, he’s got to locate that fastball a little better like all young pitchers this day and age. But there are some weapons.”