The Colorado Rockies won’t go far in the 2024 MLB season, as they have one of the worst records in the major leagues. But on Sunday, they had reason to celebrate after accomplishing a remarkable feat that hadn’t been accomplished in Major League Baseball in nearly 26 years.
The Rockies looked set to suffer another defeat this season when they trailed by six runs in the top of the eighth inning in Sunday’s final game of the series at home to the Atlanta Braves. But Colorado somehow managed to turn things around shortly thereafter, as the Rockies scored a flurry of runs and took the lead before the same inning was even over.
As OptaSTATS points out, the Rockies have achieved something that an MLB team last accomplished in 1998.
Today, the Rockies become the fourth MLB team in the modern era to enter a game with a record of 30 or more games under .500 and then win despite trailing by 6 or more runs in the 8th inning or later.
11.08.2024 Rockies vs Braves
26.08.1998 Marlins at Cardinals
15.09.1977 Braves at Padres
08.09.1921 Phillies at Braves
Rockies shock Braves with epic comeback
The comeback was sparked by Jake Cave, who hit a 375-foot, two-run home run that knocked down Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson and cut Atlanta’s lead to four runs. Then, with two men on base, Charlie Blackmon hit a single to center field that brought home both Sam Hilliard and Aaron Schunk and put Colorado within two runs of the Braves.
The Rockies’ offensive didn’t end there, however, as Ryan McMahon’s single against Joe Jimenez allowed Blackmon to score and moved Ezequiel Tovar to third base. Jimenez later allowed a double to center to Brendan Rodgers, allowing McMahon and Tovar to make their way to home plate and take the lead.
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Atlanta’s bullpen blew the lead and ruined an otherwise solid start by Spencer Schwellenbach, who allowed just two earned runs and struck out seven batters in six innings. In one inning total, Jackson and Jimenez allowed seven earned runs on eight hits, with the latter taking the loss.
The Rockies improved their record to 44-75 after the incredible comeback win over the Braves, which also gave Colorado the series win.
The Rockies face a three-game road series against their National League West Division rival, the Arizona Diamondbacks, beginning this Monday night.
