Jones, young Rockies find their fire vs. O's

DENVER -- Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones, the club’s star rookie last year, has endured a 2024 that has been often dim. But on Saturday night in the eighth inning of a 7-5 victory over the Orioles, he let his light shine.

Jones lined a Craig Kimbrel pitch into left field and dared the Orioles’ Colton Cowser to make the perfect throw to second. The hustle double ignited a two-run rally that was finished off by rookies. Jordan Beck delivered a solid RBI single, and Drew Romo’s run-scoring fielder’s choice gave him his third RBI of the game - - and rewarded Beck for stealing third.

This time last year, Jones fashioned a blazing finish that ended with him achieving 20 home runs and 20 steals, and finishing in fourth place in National League Rookie of the Year voting. This year, the best he can do is find his way back.

A swing that hasn’t fully clicked all season and two trips to the injured list with low back strains (and a knee injury during the first rehab assignment) leave Jones batting .215 in 60 games.

The lesson Jones applied in the eighth: When lightning doesn’t strike, create your own electricity.

“Maybe it was a homer last year; it hasn't been the same for me this year,” Jones said. “I'm getting back to myself and getting back to playing with that fire. That’s what makes me a good player.”

The Rockies (51-86) lost a crisply played game to the O’s on Friday, 5-3, and prevailed on Saturday as they develop with largely first- and second-year players. With the Orioles (78-59) leading the American League Wild Card standings and trailing the Yankees by 1 1/2 games in the AL East, Jones described the Rockies as hoping to follow the O’s footsteps while battling them.

“It's about building,” Jones said. “Honestly, this is a great team to look at. … They were pretty bad for a while, and look at them now. They’ve got a bunch of young stars over there playing really well.”

If Jones is trying to find his way back, Beck (38 Major League games, interrupted by a 60-game absence because of left hand surgery) and Romo (eight MLB games) are trying to find their way.

“This is what we come to the ballpark for every day,” said Beck, 23, the 38th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Tennessee. “Each and every one of us wanted that at-bat. Yesterday, the same thing. I was on deck [when the game ended], and in that situation, I would have been ready to hit.”

Romo drove in two runs on a bloop double in the second inning and answered the challenge by putting the ball in play in the eighth.

“Craig Kimbrel is one of the best closers of all time, so it’s crazy being able to face him in that situation,” Romo said. “Beck did a good job stealing third, and all I needed to do was just drive him in.”

It was a victory for Rockies youth. Before veteran reliever Tyler Kinley overcame a leadoff walk and a two-out hit batsman to earn his eighth save, rookies Luis Peralta, Seth Halvorsen and Jeff Criswell combined to limit the Orioles to one hit across 3 1/3 relief innings.

After the rubber game Sunday against the Orioles, the Rockies travel to face the Braves (in NL Wild Card position), Brewers (leading the NL Central) and Tigers (a surprise, currently 69-68).

“You learn from that,” manager Bud Black said. “You know what’s going on in the other dugout. You know what’s going on in the game. I talked about it to our guys. I want them aware of who we’re playing and what it means to the integrity of the season.”

Jones’ goal is that of every player -- to overcome struggles the game offers and stand the test of time. In that sense, Jones felt he and young teammates coming through against a pitcher as accomplished as Kimbrel should be a building block.

“I can’t imagine facing that guy when he’s throwing 100,” Jones said. “Obviously it’s a different Craig. But you’ve still got to go out there, and he’s still nasty. I had a 2-0 count there and was able to put a good swing on the ball. Doing it against a guy like that is cool.”