Colorado Rockies Dominate Cincinnati Reds 13-2 with Stellar Performances from Goodman and Sugano
CINCINNATI — The Colorado Rockies delivered a commanding performance Wednesday night, routing the Cincinnati Reds 13-2 in the opener of their three-game series. Hunter Goodman stole the spotlight with two home runs, while pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano kept the Reds scoreless for over five innings.
The Rockies’ offense exploded early, setting the tone for a dominant night. Goodman and Willi Castro drew back-to-back walks in the first inning, loading the bases for Brett Sullivan, who slammed a three-run double to right field. This early lead proved insurmountable for the Reds, who struggled to recover.
Goodman’s bat remained hot throughout the game. In the fifth inning, he launched a solo homer, followed by a powerful 415-foot, two-run shot in the seventh. With nine home runs this season, Goodman continues to solidify his role as a key offensive contributor for Colorado.
Meanwhile, Sugano (3-1) delivered a masterful performance on the mound. The right-hander pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out two. His ability to navigate Cincinnati’s lineup kept the Reds at bay, providing a solid foundation for the Rockies’ offensive outburst.
Reds’ Struggles Continue
Cincinnati’s struggles began with starting pitcher Brandon Williamson (2-3), who lasted only three innings. Williamson, who missed the entire 2023 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, gave up four runs on four hits and walked four batters. The Reds’ bullpen couldn’t stem the tide either, surrendering nine runs over the final six innings.
The Reds’ lone bright spot came in the ninth inning when Tyler Stephenson hit a leadoff double, followed by Will Benson’s first home run of the season. However, these two runs were too little, too late against Colorado’s relentless offense. Matt McLain added two hits for Cincinnati, but the team failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, including a missed chance in the first inning when McLain was thrown out at home after an infield single.
Rockies’ Offensive Firepower
Colorado’s lineup was firing on all cylinders, racking up 15 hits for the fourth time this season. Goodman and Sullivan both went 3-for-4, driving in three runs each. Brenton Doyle, TJ Rumfield, and Castro also contributed with two hits apiece, showcasing the depth of the Rockies’ batting order.
The Rockies extended their lead in the ninth inning with a flurry of hits. Goodman, Sullivan, and Kyle Karros singled to load the bases, setting the stage for Ezequiel Tovar’s two-run single. Mickey Moniak followed with a ground-rule double, driving in another run, and Jordan Beck’s groundout brought Moniak home. Doyle capped off the inning with an RBI single, pushing the score to 13-2.
Looking Ahead
The Rockies and Reds will face off again Thursday night in the second game of the series. Colorado’s Michael Lorenzen (2-2, 4.97 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound against Cincinnati’s Andrew Abbott (0-2, 6.59 ERA).
With Wednesday’s victory, the Rockies continue to build momentum, while the Reds look to regroup and bounce back in the remaining games of the series.
— Reported by Nexio News
