1

Rox get to Ervin early, open twin bill with win By Shane Jackson and Thomas Harding / MLB.com | May 18th, 2017 MINNEAPOLIS -- The first-place Rockies took advantage of a rare subpar start for Twins righty Ervin Santana,

and German Marquez supported the bats with five innings of one-run ball as Colorado took Game 1 of a doubleheader

vs. Minnesota, 5-1, on Thursday at Target Field.

"[Santana] was outstanding as far as the hits-to-innings-pitched ratio, but we had some good at-bats," said Rockies

manager Bud Black, who was Santana's pitching coach when he debuted with the Angels in 2005.

Nolan Arenado started things off with a two-out solo homer in the first. According to Statcast™, the ball traveled an

estimated 384 feet with an exit velocity of 104 mph. The Rockies added three more runs in the third on a pair of run-

scoring hits from Mark Reynolds and Ian Desmond. Charlie Blackmon plated the fifth run with a single in the fourth.

All five runs were charged to Santana, who labored through seven innings. He allowed six hits, striking out three and

walking four. As a result, Santana's ERA went from 1.50 to 2.07.

"I didn't have my best stuff today, but one good thing I can get out of there is that I was able to throw seven innings,"

Santana said. "That's good for me and my team, especially when we have a doubleheader."

Meanwhile, the only blemish for Colorado's Marquez, who earned the victory, came in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly

by Brian Dozier. After holding the Cubs scoreless on three hits over eight innings in his last start, Marquez saw the Twins

run up his pitch count (101 in five innings), but he didn't break.

MEDIA CLIPS –May 19, 2017

2

"The command wasn't quite there; the approach was the same, but I had to make adjustments and continue to battle,"

Marquez said in Spanish, with first-base coach Tony Diaz interpreting.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Streak snapped: Marquez's scoreless streak of 10 consecutive road innings was snapped in the fifth. However, the frame

nearly got away from him entirely. Following a one-out triple by Eddie Rosario and a Byron Buxton walk, Dozier put the

Twins on board with a sacrifice fly to left. Marquez then walked Joe Mauer before ultimately getting Miguel Sano to pop

up on a curveball to end the inning.

"We didn't take advantage of the opportunities that we had," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "I think we had some

pitches to hit, but you're not always going to hit them. There were some guys that worked some counts fairly well, but we

just couldn't come up with that hit."

Free pass: The Twins elected to intentionally walk Arenado his second time up in the third inning, which proved to be

detrimental. The next batter, Reynolds, smacked a two-seam fastball down the left-field line to drive in two runs. He was

later thrown out at home by Max Kepler to end the inning, but Reynolds -- who is among the leaders in the National

League in with 35 RBIs -- was a key part in breaking the game completely open.

"He's been right there in the middle of it from the start of the season, and I think it's a tribute to Mark, what he's done the

last couple of years," Black said.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

With four scoreless innings from Chris Rusin, Adam Ottavino, Mike Dunn and Greg Holland -- who fanned the only

batter he faced for his Majors-leading 18th save -- the Rockies' bullpen dropped its road ERA to 1.81. Colorado is 13-5 on

the road this season.

QUOTABLE

"I want to dedicate this victory to Venezuela and the situation the country is going through. Besides us, the Rockies, this

win goes to Venezuela." -- Marquez, a Valencia, Venezuela, native who has been following the political unrest in his

homeland

WHAT'S NEXT

Rockies: Lefty Tyler Anderson (2-4, 6.43 ERA), with 18 combined strikeouts in his past two starts, will open a three-

game set against the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Friday at 5:10 p.m. MT.

3

Twins: Hector Santiago (4-2, 3.80 ERA) will start the series opener against Kansas City at 7:10 p.m. CT Friday at Target

Field. Santiago spun five innings of one-run ball in the win over the Royals earlier this season. Minnesota has won all five

meetings against Kansas City this season after going 4-15 in 2016.

4

Rockies' bullpen maintains road dominance Colorado relievers have 1.72 ERA away from Coors Field this season By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | 12:09 AM ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rockies' bullpen has been dominant on the road, with a 1.72 ERA the 18 times it has been called

upon away from Coors Field -- a figure that includes 10 scoreless innings across three games against the Twins at Target

Field.

But according to Rockies closer and Major League saves leader Greg Holland, it doesn't matter where they're pitching.

"You can tell more later in the season, but I feel we're doing a good job holding leads in general, whether it's on the road

or at home," said Holland, who earned his 18th save by striking out the only batter he faced in the 5-1 victory over the

Twins in the first game of a Thursday doubleheader.

In the nightcap, after starter Tyler Chatwood managed to hold the Twins to two runs despite throwing 105 pitches in five

innings, relievers Chad Qualls, Scott Oberg and Carlos Estevez gave up no further runs in the 2-0 loss. Estevez, sent

to Triple-A Albuquerque earlier this month to hone his delivery and offspeed pitches, was called up as the Rockies'

allotted 26th player for the nightcap.

"It just shows the strength of the 'pen," said lefty setup man Mike Dunn, who threw 1 2/3 innings to set up Holland in the

first game after solid work from Chris Rusin and Adam Ottavino. "They shut them down and kept us a close game to

give us a chance. It's been great. Everyone's been having fun.

"It shows the depth that we have to bring up a guy like Estevez. He'd be in the big leagues for just about every other club."

Dunn laughed and had no response when the Rockies' 22-0 record when leading after the sixth inning was mentioned.

Holland said the stats aren't for him.

"You don't even think about how well you're doing," he said. "You think about being prepared -- staying loose, relaxed and

picking each other up, helping the starter when he does leave the game with a lead. Keeping your team in the game and

holding the lead with runners on are not easy things, but we've done a good job of that."

5

Chatwood solid; Rox can't solve Berrios in loss By Rhett Bollinger and Thomas Harding / MLB.com | 12:36 AM ET

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Jose Berrios set a career high with 11 strikeouts over 7 2/3 scoreless innings,

while Robbie Grossman sparked the Twins offense to help Minnesota split a doubleheader against the Rockies with a 2-

0 win on Thursday night at Target Field.

The highly regarded Berrios, making his second start of the season, was dominant for a second straight outing. The 22-

year-old scattered two hits, two hit batters and a walk Thursday, and he has now allowed one run over 15 1/3 innings this

year. It was the first time this season the Twins had a 10-strikeout performance and the club's ninth dating back to 2011.

"I just have more confidence," said Berrios, who had an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts as a rookie in 2016. "It shows my work in

the offseason and Spring Training has paid off. I've been able to get ahead of hitters, and with my confidence, it's 100

percent [better] compared to last year."

The Rockies' Ian Desmond saw Berrios during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, when he represented Puerto Rico as an

18-year-old, and in Grapefruit League Spring Trainings before joining Colorado this season.

"He was electric," said Desmond, who went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and hit by pitch against Berrios. "That was up there. I

felt like I was grinding with him. He was making really good pitches. I felt like I was really locked in, and he was having

success.

Berrios outpitched Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood, who was hurt by a high pitch count and five walks in his five

innings of two-run ball. The Twins scored early on a two-out RBI single from Max Kepler in the first to score Grossman,

who had singled and stolen second. Grossman added an RBI single in the fourth to score Ehire Adrianza, who had led

off with a double.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Kepler robs Parra: After Berrios plunked Desmond to open the second, Gerardo Parra ripped a hard liner into right-

center for what looked to be extra bases, but Kepler made a running catch in the gap to retire Parra and keep Desmond at

first. Kepler needed to go 84 feet to make the catch in 4.6 seconds, giving it a catch percentage of 35 percent. It was rated

6

as a four-star play by Statcast™. It also helped Berrios, who eventually stranded Desmond at third. He had advanced on

a balk and a wild pitch, but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

"He went a long way," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He has the ability to do those types of things. He's a guy who

trusts his athleticism. That's one of those plays where it goes up and you turn your back and hope you run to the right

spot."

Chatwood works out of jam: The Twins had the chance to break the game open with the bases loaded and two outs in

the third, but Chatwood struck out Byron Buxton to end the threat. Buxton had been swinging the bat well in the series,

but Chatwood struck him out on four pitches, culminating on a 1-2 cutter out of the strike zone.

With the exception of a couple electric outings, including a two-hit shutout against the Giants on April 15, Chatwood has

struggled with his control, and too often this season, walks have preceded home runs. This time, he limited the damage.

"I had been walking a lot of guys and I hadn't been able to strand guys," Chatwood said. "I stranded guys today."

Chatwood said he tried to correct mechanical flaws during the first three innings but pitched better after he "worried about

throwing the ball over the plate. … I'll try again on my sides and see if I can carry it into the game."

QUOTABLE

"I can't say we were desperate for a win, but you come off a good trip and let the last game of the trip get away and then

get off to a rough start with a couple tough ones. It was a long day at the park. We all know that. So to be able to salvage

that, that's a credit to [Berrios]." -- Molitor, on the Twins winning the series finale

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The 11 strikeouts from Berrios were the most by a Twins starter since Ervin Santana also struck out 11 on Sept. 5, 2015.

Santana was also the latest Twins pitcher to reach double-digits in strikeouts with 10 on Aug. 21, 2016.

DEPENDABLE RELIEF

Chad Qualls, Scott Oberg and Carlos Estevez -- up from Triple-A Albuquerque as the Rockies' allotted 26th player for

the doubleheader -- held the Twins scoreless for the final three innings. In the three-game series, Rockies relievers

posted 10 scoreless innings in the series. For the season, Colorado's bullpen carries a 1.72 ERA on the road.

7

Rockies manager Bud Black was especially pleased with Estevez, a second-year man who could become a key figure

once he irons out delivery issues. He gave up a double and a walk but struck out two, "throwing 96-98 with a hard slider

and a good change," Black said. "Do I think he's getting closer to being a productive Major League pitcher at some point?

Yes."

REPLAY REVIEW

The Rockies unsuccessfully challenged a play in the eighth, when Twins catcher Jason Castro was ruled safe at second

on a force play on a grounder hit to Rockies second baseman D.J. LeMahieu by Adrianza. After a review, the play stood

as called to load the bases with two outs. But Estevez struck out Brian Dozier to get out of the jam.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rockies: Left-hander Tyler Anderson (2-4, 6.43 ERA), with 18 combined strikeouts in his past two starts, will open a

three-game set against the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Friday at 5:10 p.m. MT.

Twins: Hector Santiago (4-2, 3.80) will start the series opener against the Royals at 7:10 p.m. CT on Friday at Target

Field. Santiago spun five innings of one-run ball in the win over the Royals earlier this season. Minnesota has won all five

meetings against Kansas City this season after going 4-15 in 2016.

8

Stream Rockies-Reds opener free on Facebook Tonight's Rox-Reds matchup will be first of 20 contests shown on social-media site By Matt Kelly / MLB.com | May 18th, 2017

Major League Baseball and Facebook have finalized a partnership to stream games on a weekly basis, beginning tonight

with a matchup between the Rockies and Reds at 7:10 p.m. ET.

One Major League game will stream each Friday night on Facebook, and will be accessible to everyone on the platform

via its official MLB page (facebook.com/MLB). Each week's Facebook broadcast will feature the feed from a participating

team's local broadcast rightsholder.

Tonight's Rockies-Reds tilt at Great American Ball Park, featuring starters Tyler Anderson for Colorado and Lisalverto

Bonilla for Cincinnati, will be the first of 20 games streamed live on Facebook, with the remaining games to be

announced at a later date.

"Probably the most important single announcement [from the Owners' Meetings] is we've done an agreement with

Facebook," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said at a news conference Thursday in New York. "It's really important for

us in terms of experimenting with a new partner in this area. We are really excited about this."

Fans tuning in will be treated to a matchup of two clubs outperforming the expectations of many this season. At 26-16, the

visiting Rockies find themselves atop the National League West standings despite offseason acquisition Ian

Desmond missing the first month of the season. While the offense hasn't quite hit its stride, the Rockies' bullpen has

picked up the slack. Colorado is 21-0 when taking a lead into the seventh inning, and new closer Greg Holland has

converted all 18 of his save opportunities this season.

The Reds, meanwhile, are looking to snap a six-game losing streak but have still surprised many as their 19-21 record

has them sitting just four games back of the first-place Brewers in the NL Central. Cincinnati was 15-25 through its first 40

games last year, but the 2017 Reds feature three of the Majors' top-25 position players -- Zack Cozart, Eugenio

Suarez and Joey Votto -- in wins above replacement. Cincinnati's bullpen, which surrendered an MLB-record 103 home

runs last year, sits third among NL clubs with a 3.18 ERA.

9

Anderson hoping for run support in opener By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | May 18th, 2017

Reds right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla is coming off an outstanding start. Rockies left-hander Tyler Anderson's last outing

was positive, as well. But both are coming off losses, and they would like a different result when the teams meet at Great

American Ball Park in Friday night's opener of a three-game set.

Bonilla faced the Giants on Saturday at AT&T Park and delivered an eight-inning complete game, fanning five in his first

start since 2014. But home runs by Justin Ruggiano and Brandon Belt -- and the Reds' inability to break through vs.

Giants starter Matt Moore -- led to a 3-1 loss.

Anderson was not quite as stellar as Bonilla, but his last start yielded eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. However, some key

at-bats from the bottom of the Dodgers' order meant three runs charged to Anderson in a 4-0 loss. Anderson, though, has

fanned 18 in 11 2/3 innings over his past two outings.

Things to know about this game

• Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has missed the past three games with left hamstring soreness, and the club is nearing a

decision whether to place him on the 10-day disabled list.

• After six mostly poor starts, Anderson has found a fastball-changeup combination and has been much better his past

two outings. The only slight difference between May 6, when he fanned 10 and gave up one run in six innings in a win

over the D-backs, and the loss to the Dodgers was the sharpness of his slider, Rockies manager Bud Black said.

• In 24 career games at Great American Ball Park, Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .276 with seven home

runs and 14 RBIs.

10

Confidence in curve helps Marquez vs. Twins Righty escapes jam in 5th by getting Sano to pop out By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- In dreams, Rockies right-hander German Marquez's final-pitch curveball Thursday would have had

Twins heavy hitter Miguel Sano whiffing and the ball hit the dirt.

In reality, the pitch hung middle-in at thigh level. But so what? Sano popped to third base to end the fifth inning, and

Marquez walked away with the decision in the Rockies' 5-1 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at Target Field.

Full Game Coverage

Marquez, 22, demonstrated that as long as the pitcher disrupts the hitter's timing, he can get away with pitches that aren't

sharp.

"I give myself credit for executing that pitch to the point that he didn't put it in the seats," Marquez said in Spanish, with

first-base coach Tony Diaz interpreting.

Had Sano hit that curve -- Marquez's 101st pitch -- the Twins would have had momentum. Eddie Rosario had tripled and

scored, and there were two on for Sano. But Marquez, who had escaped with two on and one out in the first inning and

after a Jorge Polanco leadoff double in the second without yielding a run, had in mind the whole time that he wanted to

beat Sano with a curve.

It displayed faith in a pitch that was late showing up at the Major League level.

Obtained from the Rays before last season (with reliever Jake McGee in the deal that sent slugging outfielder Corey

Dickerson to Tampa Bay), Marquez debuted in the Majors late last season partly because his breaking pitches were an

effective complement to his power fastball. But the curve, specifically, was not as sharp to start of the season.

But on May 10, Marquez had his best fastball and used the curve selectively while holding the Cubs scoreless on three

hits in eight innings.

Thursday was different. The fastball command came and went. Suddenly, Marquez found himself needing the curve,

along with a slider and even a changeup -- a pitch Marquez obsessed about this spring, until coaches told him to just

throw it and stop thinking about it.

11

In the end, Marquez, with Tony Wolters catching, used the fastball at close to the same rate as before -- 68 pitches, or 65

percent, after using it 65 percent his previous four starts, according to Statcast™. He threw a lower percentage of curves

and changeups, and he used his slider five times -- after using it four previously, according to Statcast™.

Rockies manager Bud Black liked the way Marquez made his mix work, even if the outing was not smooth.

"The Twins had some good at-bats, and there were a couple times when he let some 0-2, 1-2 counts get to 3-2 and some

foul balls," Black said. "Polanco had some good at-bats, and some other fellows battled him hard.

"But his stuff was good -- not quite the consistency of the breaking ball that we saw last week. But he showed well."

Good enough, for Marquez, was good enough.

"There's no perfection, anyway," Marquez said.

12

Story set for Triple-A rehab assignment By Thomas Harding / MLB.com | @harding_at_mlb | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- After two productive days in the batting cage, Rockies shortstop Trevor Story is scheduled to join

Triple-A Albuquerque on a rehab assignment, Rockies manager Bud Black said Thursday.

Story is on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to May 10) with a left shoulder strain. He tested the arm by taking ground

balls and throws and swinging the bat Tuesday, and by hitting Wednesday and Thursday with hitting coach Duane Espy

and assistant hitting coach Jeff Salazar.

Beyond merely reacquainting himself with game action, the rehab assignment should allow Story to test batting

adjustments that could correct the problems that led to a strange beginning of the season. Story is hitting .180 with 48

strikeouts in 111 at-bats. But he made hard contact -- six home runs, 15 RBIs and six doubles -- and drew 17 walks,

which going into Thursday was still tied with Mark Reynolds for the team lead.

"I know there were some little subtle things that he was working with Duane and Sally on, and he's going to take the

Triple-A at-bats and get back into game mode," Black said.

Worth noting

• Thursday's doubleheader vs. the Twins leaves the Rockies needing a starter Monday in Philadelphia. One option would

be to have either of the Thursday starters, German Marquez or Tyler Chatwood, throw on three days' rest. The more

likely move would be to recall righty Jeff Hoffman from Albuquerque for his second start this season.

Hoffman, who held the Dodgers to three runs and fanned eight in 5 1/3 innings of a 10-7 victory last Thursday, would be

on extended rest. On Tuesday for Albuquerque, he went five innings and held Memphis to one run and one hit with four

strikeouts but four walks in a victory.

• Outfielder Raimel Tapia isn't flustered by his scant opportunities since being recalled from Albuquerque on Friday. He's

made two plate appearances with one walk. Tapia had a .400 batting average through 25 games for Albuquerque when

he received the call.

13

"It's more the mind and staying ready for every situation -- pinch-running, pinch-hitting, coming in to play late. Either way,

I've got to be ready to help the team win," Tapia said in Spanish, with first-base coach Tony Diaz translating.

When Tapia does step into the box, the visual is a little odd. The scoreboard flashes .400 in the Minors but .000 (0-for-8)

in the Majors going into Thursday.

"It's not really difficult; I know that I hit the ball hard, but right at people, and I've been through slow starts in Double-A and

Triple-A," Tapia said. "I overcame them."

• The Rockies recalled righty reliever Carlos Estevez from Albuquerque as the allotted 26th player for Thursday's second

game vs. the Twins. Estevez was 3-0 with a 7.94 ERA in 13 games before being sent down on May 3 to hone his delivery.

He gave up no runs, struck out six and gave up three hits and no walks in 5 2/3 innings at Albuquerque over five

appearances.

14

Twins’ Jose Berrios denies Rockies doubleheader sweep Tyler Chatwood was simply no match for Berrios By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — The Rockies’ joyous road journey ran into a major detour Thursday night at Target Field.

His name was Jose Berrios, Minnesota’s 22-year-old right-hander who dominated Colorado hitters and led the Twins’ to

2-0 victory in the second game of a split doubleheader.

Berrios, utilizing a nasty curveball, manhandled the Rockies for 7⅔ innings, allowing Colorado two paltry singles and

striking out 11, the most by any Twins pitcher this season. He whiffed Raimel Tapia three times and Carlos

Gonzalez twice.

“He was electric,” said Ian Desmond, whose six-game hitting streak came to an end. “It looked a lot like (former Marlins

ace) Jose Fernandez, to be honest. Explosive, quick heater and with that sweeping curveball that he can turn into a slider,

too.”

The Rockies made noise in the ninth inning against closer Brandon Kintzler on a one-out single by Nolan Arenado and

walk by Gonzalez, but Desmond grounded into a double play to end the rally.

The Rockies won the opener, and clinched the three-game series, with a 5-1 victory behind their own 22-year-old,

German Marquez, who continued the charge of the Rockies’ rookie starters. Colorado, 26-16 overall, is 13-6 on the road,

tied for the second-most road wins in the majors. By comparison, the 2014 Rockies won a not-so-grand total of 21 road

games the entire season.

Box Score: Twins 2, Rockies 0

In the nightcap, Colorado veteran right-hander Tyler Chatwood was simply no match for Berrios. Chatwood, in fact, was

erratic, but give him credit for hanging tough, allowing two runs in five innings, despite walking five and throwing 105

pitches, just 54 for strikes.

“With all of the traffic I had out there, I only gave up two runs,” said Chatwood, now 3-6 with a 5.09 ERA. “None of the

walks scored, (and) they have been killing me all year. So I felt like I sort of kept us in the game.”

Added manager Bud Black: “When it came down to it, he got critical outs to keep the game in check. … The stuff was

outstanding, the fastball had velocity and movement, but it just looked a little bit out of sync, mechanically.”

15

The Twins’ Max Kepler singled to drive in Robbie Grossman in the first inning, and Grossman drove in Ehire Adrianza with

a single in the fourth to put the Rockies in a 2-0 hole they remained in for the rest of the night. Gerardo Parra led off the

fifth with a single but was thrown out trying to steal on a failed hit-and-run play.

In the opener, Marquez outpitched Minnesota ace Ervin Santana, writing another chapter to the remarkable story of the

Rockies’ young pitching through the first quarter of the season. Marquez (2-2, 4.34 ERA) allowed one run on four hits over

five innings.

“The fastball command wasn’t quite there, but I had to make adjustments and continue to battle and give the team a

chance to win,” Marquez said.

As for besting Santana, Marquez said: “I have a lot of pride in beating Santana, one of the best pitchers in the game right

now. He’s a guy that’s been in the big leagues for 11-plus years now, so there is definitely a lot of pride in beating him.”

Marquez blanked the Twins for four innings, extending his scoreless streak to 15 innings. Eddie Rosario’s triple and Brian

Dozier’s sacrifice fly halted Marquez’s streak in the fifth inning.

Four Rockies relievers — Chris Rusin, Adam Ottavino, Mike Dunn and Greg Holland — blanked Minnesota for the final

four innings. With two on and two out and the tying run on the on-deck circle, Holland was brought in to face one batter in

the ninth. Holland struck out Dozier on four pitches and was rewarded with his 18th save in 18 tries.

Santana entered the game on a remarkable roll, having gone 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA over his last 26 starts, dating back to

June 19, 2016. But he threw first-pitch strikes to only three of the first 15 batters he faced Thursday, and Arenado pierced

his armor in the first inning with a solo blast into the second deck above left field.

Arenado’s homer was just the beginning of the Rockies’ solid day vs. Santana, who pitched seven innings, allowing five

runs on six hits. The Rockies scored three runs in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. The key hits were a two-run single

over the third-base bag by RBI machine Mark Reynolds and an RBI single by Desmond. Reynolds leads the Rockies with

35 RBIs.

Another two-out RBI by Charlie Blackmon gave the Rockies a 5-0 lead in the fourth. Blackmon is batting 10-for-19 (.526)

with two outs and runners in scoring position, including four home runs and 16 RBIs.

16

Rookie German Marquez outpitches Twins’ Ervin Santana in 5-1 Rockies’ victory Greg Holland faced just one batter in the ninth but was rewarded with his 18th save in 18 tries By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — On paper, Thursday’s matinee between the Rockies and Minnesota looked like a pitching mismatch.

The Twins sent Ervin Santana to the mound, a savvy veteran who’d been riding an extended hot streak. The Rockies

countered with rookie right-hander German Marquez, making just his eighth big-league start.

But Marquez is not your typical rookie and he never got the memo. He outpitched Santana, writing another chapter to the

remarkable story of the Rockies’ young pitching this season. Marquez allowed one run on four hits over five innings in

Colorado’s 5-1 victory in the first game of a split doubleheader at Target Field.

“The fastball command wasn’t quite there, but I had to make adjustments and continue to battle and give the team a

chance to win,” Marquez said.

As for besting Santana, Marquez said: “I have a lot of pride in beating Santana, one of the best pitchers in the game right

now. He’s a guy that’s been in the big leagues for 11-plus years now, so there is definitely a lot of pride in beating him.”

At the end of his interview, Marquez made it a point to show support for his native Venezuela, a country gripped by

political and social turmoil.

Box Score: Rockies 5, Twins 1

“I want to dedicate this victory to Venezuela and the situation the country is going through,” he said. “Besides us — the

Rockies — this win goes to Venezuela.”

Colorado, holding onto first place in the National League West, improved to 26-15, having won eight of its last 11. It

improved to 13-5 on the road, the best road start after 18 games in franchise history. By comparison, the 2014 Rockies

won a not-so-grand total of 21 road games the entire season.

Marquez, 2-2 with a 4.34 ERA, blanked the Twins for four innings, extending his scoreless streak to 15 innings. Eddie

Rosario’s triple and Brian Dozier’s sacrifice fly halted Marquez’s streak in the fifth inning.

17

“He had a good three-pitch mix and the changeup came into play today,” manager Bud Black said. “He wasn’t overly

efficient as far as pitch count — 101 pitches in five innings — but the Twins had some good at-bats.”

Minnesota, 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, put two on in the first inning but couldn’t score. Jorge Polanco led off

the second with a double and he was stranded.

Four Rockies relievers — Chris Rusin, Adam Ottavino, Mike Dunn and Greg Holland — blanked Minnesota for the final

four innings. With two on and two out and the tying run on the on-deck circle, Holland was brought in to face one batter in

the ninth. Holland struck out Dozier on four pitches and was rewarded with his 18th save in 18 tries.

On the road, Rockies bullpen ERA is 1.81.

Santana entered the game on a remarkable roll, having gone 12-5 with a 2.12 ERA over his last 26 starts, dating all the

way back to June 19, 2016. But he threw first-pitch strikes to only three of the first 15 batters he faced Thursday,

and Nolan Arenado pierced his armor in the first inning with a solo blast into the second deck above left field. It was

Arenado’s 10th homer of the season as he continued his first-inning assault on pitchers. Colorado’s third baseman is

batting 16-for-31 (.516) with four homers, five doubles and 13 RBIs in the first inning.

Arenado’s homer was just the beginning of the Rockies’ solid day vs. Santana, who pitched seven innings, allowing five

runs on six hits. The Rockies scored three runs in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. The key hits were a two-run single

over the third-base bag by RBI machine Mark Reynolds and an RBI single by Ian Desmond. Reynolds leads the Rockies

with 35 RBIs.

Another clutch hit by leadoff man Charlie Blackmon gave the Rockies a 5-0 lead in the fourth. Alexi Amarista, getting a

rare start at shortstop, steered a one-out double to left and then raced home on Blackmon’s two-out single to right-center.

Blackmon is batting 10-for-19 (.526) with two outs and runners in scoring position, including four home runs and 16 RBIs.

“He just has tough at-bats,” Black said. “Charlie has a plan against each and every pitcher and in every at-bat. Very rarely

does he get fooled on an off-speed pitch.”

The second game of the doubleheader, scheduled to begin at 5:10 p.m. MDT, features right-hander Tyler Chatwood on

the mound for Colorado vs. Minnesota right-hander Jose Berrios.

18

Rockies’ Nolan Arenado striking gold in first inning this season Shortstop Trevor Story, his strained left shoulder fully healed, is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment By Patrick Saunders / Denver Post | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — Nolan Arenado is big on first impressions.

The Rockies’ all-star third baseman wowed Minnesota fans with his 24-karat play during a three-game series that

concluded Thursday with a doubleheader. In the first inning of the nightcap, he barehanded leadoff hitter Brian Dozier’s

roller and threw him out with ease, adding another play to his highlight reel.

Arenado has been especially potent at the plate during the first inning this season. In Thursday’s opening-game, 5-1

victory, he hit a solo blast into the second deck above left field off Twins ace Ervin Santana. It was Arenado’s 10th homer

of the season, leaving him with a .516 batting average (16-for-31) with four homers, five doubles and 13 RBIs in the first

inning.

Love of country. After beating the Twins in the first game, Rockies rookie pitcher German Marquez made it a point to

show support for his native Venezuela, a country gripped by political and social turmoil.

“I want to dedicate this victory to Venezuela and the situation the country is going through,” he said. “Besides us — the

Rockies — this win goes to Venezuela.”

Hoffman could start. The washout of Wednesday’s game between the Rockies and Twins forced Thursday’s split

doubleheader and left the Rockies searching for a starter for Monday night’s game at Philadelphia. There is a good

chance right-hander Jeff Hoffman will be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to make another spot start.

Hoffman, 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA at Triple-A, started last Thursday against the Dodgers at Coors Field, picking up his first

big-league victory. He pitched 5 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.

Hoffman would be pitching on extra rest. He pitched Tuesday for Albuquerque, going five innings, allowing Memphis just

one run and one hit and striking out four. However, he did walk four.

Story begins rehab. Shortstop Trevor Story, his strained left shoulder fully healed, is scheduled to begin a minor-league

rehab assignment Friday night at Albuquerque. He will play shortstop for the Isotopes, not just play as a designated hitter.

19

“Trevor is feeling great,” Black said after watching Story take batting practice in an indoor cage Thursday morning. “He’s

going to play. His stamina is good enough for him to play. He’s been fielding grounders. The only problem initially was

whether or not he could extend his left arm enough to make plays. But he’s fine and he’s totally ready to play.”

Story has struggled to find his swing so far this season, hitting .180 with six homers and six doubles. He has struck out 48

times in 111 at-bats.

The closer. Greg Holland faced just one batter in the first game Thursday, but it was enough to earn him his major

league-leading 18th save. In his last 11 appearances, he’s allowed four hits, one walk and struck out 15.

Looking ahead

Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (2-4, 6.43 ERA) at Reds RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (0-1, 4.85), 5:10 p.m. Friday, ROOT;

850 AM

If Anderson can begin pitching like he did last year, the Rockies’ rotation would be formidable. But the left-hander is still

trying to find his way. He was excellent in a May 6 start vs. Arizona, striking out 10 and allowing one run on six hits over

six innings. He regressed a bit in his last start vs. the Dodgers, taking the loss after giving up three runs on five hits in 5 ⅔

innings. Anderson can’t leave the ball over the plate at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, because the Reds will make him

pay. He’s served up 10 homers in 42 innings this season vs. 12 in 114 ⅓ last season. Bonilla, in his first -big-league start

since 2014, needed just 62 pitches to get through six innings and finished with 98 pitches in a complete-game, 3-1 loss to

the Giants last Saturday at San Francisco. He was sharp, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

Saturday: Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (6-1, 3.31 ERA) at Reds RHP Tim Adelman (2-2. 5.27), 2:10 p.m., ROOT

Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-2, 3.13) at Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (3-3, 6.31), 11:10 a.m., ROOT

Monday: Rockies TBA at Phillies RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-4, 4.53), 5:05 p.m., ROOT

20

Colorado Rockies release former independent league player Stephen Cardullo The Rockies released the left fielder on Thursday, ending another chapter in a story worth telling. By Connor Farrell / Purple Row | May 18th, 2017

On Thursday night, with little fanfare or announcement, the Rockies released Stephen Cardullo.

In three years, most Rockies fans likely won’t remember Cardullo. He’ll be confined to message board conversations and

tweets about the most obscure Rockies players and lists of independent league players who donned Rocky Mountain

purple.

Cardullo, a 29-year-old left fielder, couldn’t quite handle major league pitching. He hit .190 in 91 plate appearances, with

two home runs and nine RBI. Ultimately, his release was likely to clear a spot on the 40-man roster—a spot someone else

will inhabit sooner or later. Cardullo’s release likely closes the book on his Rockies career, but it shouldn’t be all we

remember from his story.

After graduating high school, Stephen Cardullo wasn’t even recruited for college baseball. He was one day from

quitting baseball when a tryout at Florida State ended with him being chosen to play as a walk on for the Seminoles.

Three years later, he was a first team All-American at shortstop. It wasn’t the last time he’d take full advantage of his last

chance.

In 2010, Cardullo was drafted in the 24th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. For a kid who had to try out for college

baseball, getting drafted at all is a huge accomplishment. But Cardullo wasn’t satisfied with just being drafted and playing

a bit in a major-league system. When the Diamondbacks cut him after 2011, he wanted to continue playing. So he went

and did so in unaffiliated baseball.

Cardullo became a fan favorite for the Rockland Boulders of the Canadian-American circuit. He won a league

championship, he had chants of his name, and he had coaches begging for him to get a shot. When the Rockies

signed him to a minor league contract prior to the 2016 season, Cardullo was the longest-tenured player on the Boulders,

having appeared in 283 games.

The fact that Cardullo ever took an at-bat in the major leagues is an incredible story. Ninety-nine percent of the people in

the world would have given up—Cardullo even thought about it. But he didn’t give up and that perseverance and

dedication was rewarded on Aug. 26 of last year, when he stepped to the plate for the first time as a big leaguer. More

21

than six years since he was drafted by Arizona, a full decade since his initial tryout in Tallahassee, Cardullo was taking

batting practice in a major league ballpark. Everyone earns their time in the bigs, but Cardullo clawed for every minute he

spent in the Rockies clubhouse.

On Aug. 31, his 29th birthday, Cardullo may have proven the existence of the baseball gods. He hit his first career home

run in the first game of a double header, only to blow that accomplishment out of the water in the nightcap with a grand

slam. Five days into a six-year journey, Stephen Cardullo had two home runs and five RBI.

It wasn’t meant to be, ultimately. Pitchers quickly figured Cardullo out and even his patience at the plate wasn’t enough to

keep him on as a fourth outfielder in Denver. On Thursday night, Cardullo’s time with the Rockies ended. His story moves

on.

No one knows what’s next for him in baseball. Maybe this is finally it. After all, he achieved what no one thought possible.

For the kid who cried when he was offered a shot at Florida State, maybe two career home runs and 42 career games in

the majors is enough.

But, if we’ve learned anything about Cardullo, it’s that counting him out is a fool’s errand. He wasn’t recruited, he wasn’t

given a shot, and he certainly has faced this before and overcome it.

In three years, we probably won’t talk much about Cardullo. That’s a shame, because Stephen Cardullos don’t come

around often, and they sure aren’t around long enough.

22

Minnesota Twins 2, Colorado Rockies 0: Rockies shut down by Jose Berrios The 22-year-old dominated a Rockies lineup that looked overwhelmed all night. By Jordan Freemyer / Purple Row | May 18th, 2017

The Colorado Rockies were shut out by the Twins 2-0 in the nightcap of Thursday’s doubleheader.

Jose Berrios, making just his second start of the season, allowed just two hits 7 2⁄3 innings, walking one and striking out

11. He threw 106 pitches, 72 for strikes.

Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood, on the other hand, was not nearly as sharp. He labored through five innings, allowing

two runs on five hits, walking five and striking out four. He threw 105 pitches, just 54 for strikes.

Chatwood’s start was similar to his last outing against the Dodgers at Coors Field, in which he walked four and struck out

six in 4 1⁄3 innings. Between the two starts, Chatwood has walked nine and struck out 10 in his last 9 1⁄3 innings of work,

neither of which is consistent with his performance in his career overall.

The Twins got on the board in the first when Max Kepler singled to bring home Robbie Grossman, who had a hit earlier

in the inning. Grossman did the driving in for Minnesota’s second run in the fourth inning when his single scored Ehire

Adrianza, who led off the inning with a double.

Gerardo Parra got the Rockies first hit with a single to lead off the top of the fifth, but was caught stealing on a botched hit

and run with Raimel Tapia at the plate. Carlos Gonzalez had the other hit against Berrios, a one-out single in the

seventh.

After Berrios exited the game in the eighth, Colorado native Taylor Rogers and Twins closer Brandon Kintzler closed

out the win for Minnesota.

The Rockies still did take two of three from the Twins, and will continue their 10-game road trip tomorrow in Cincinnati

with Tyler Anderson on the mound against the Reds’ Lisalverto Bonilla. First pitch is at 5:10 p.m. Mountain time at Great

American Ball Park.

23

Colorado Rockies: Top 5 greatest teams in franchise history By Trysten Garcia / Rox Pile | May 18th, 2017

The Colorado Rockies have been around since 1993, and there have been some pretty good teams to grace the city of

Denver in that time. The top five teams in franchise history show the various ways Colorado has enjoyed success over the

years.

The Colorado Rockies don’t exactly have the longest history in the league, but the franchise has made a lot of history over

the years. The 2017 Rockies have been extremely impressive to start the young season, but rest assured they will not

appear on the list of top five teams all time … yet. This year’s club has shown promise in many different areas, but it may

be best to take a look at what worked before this year to show the Rockies what it takes to be considered an all-time great

team.

The list is comprised by taking in to consideration wins, divisional rank, season stats, and overall talent of the roster.

Postseason performance was included, but it doesn’t exactly offer a large sample size to say the least.

5. 1995 Colorado Rockies (77-67)

The 1995 Colorado Rockies finished a respectable 10 games above .500, and provided the franchise with its first taste of

postseason action. However, the most notable trait of the team was the birth of the “Blake Street Bombers.” The lineup

featured four sluggers who hit over 30 homers and hit well above league average.

The most impressive performance of the season came from Dante Bichette, who accounted for 40 home runs, 128 RBI,

and posted a .340 batting average. Bichette was joined in the middle of the lineup by Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla,

and Andres Galarraga. The core of the Rockies roster carried the team to the playoffs, but the lack of experience and

talent in the pitching staff eventually doomed the young club.

The so-called “ace” of the 1995 squad was Kevin Ritz. If the name doesn’t exactly ring a bell, it is not without reason. Ritz

posted an 11-11 record with a 4.21 ERA, and was unable to dominate in games which he received massive run

support. Bill Swift and Armando Reynoso tried to support Ritz in the rotation, but a combined 16 wins along with a 4.94

and 5.32 ERA respectively didn’t exactly get the job done.

24

After the season ended in a 3-1 series loss in the NLDS, the 1995 Rockies did enough to earn a spot on the list, but did

even more to set the next team on the list up for success.

4. 1996 Colorado Rockies (83-79)

The 1996 Rockies did not make the playoffs or finish 10 games above .500, but they did hit an astonishing 221 home runs

as a team for the season, and saw one of the best individual performances in franchise history. The team finished the

season with an 83-79 record, and finished in third place in the NL West.

As far as individual performances go, Andres Galarraga posted arguably one of the best in franchise history. The Big Cat

exploded on the scene with 47 home runs, 150 RBI, and a batting average over .300. He was not alone in dominating

opposing pitchers though, as Vinny Castilla and Dante Bichette continued to drive the team from the middle of the lineup.

One of the biggest surprises of the 1996 team was Ellis Burks and his contribution to the “Blake Street Bombers.” Burks

enjoyed a productive 1995 season, but his 40 home runs, 128 RBI, and .344 average in ’96 hoisted him to the verge of

stardom in Colorado.

Once again, the Rockies struggled to find dependable pitching throughout the season, and relied more heavily on the

bullpen than lackluster starters. Ritz and Reynoso remained atop the Rockies rotation (say that five times fast), but

performed at an even lower level than in ’95. Though Ritz posted a 17-11 record, he also carried a 5.28 ERA to the finish

line. Reynoso struggled to help the team on the mound working just an 8-9 record with a 4.96 ERA.

The bright spot of the the pitching staff was the bullpen, led by closer Bruce Ruffin. Ruffin converted 24 of 29 saves and

steadily maintained a 4.00 ERA through the season.

The outcome of the season may not have been as rewarding as the year prior, but the absolute onslaught of offense and

power is enough to earn the 1996 Rockies a spot on the list.

3. 1997 Colorado Rockies (83-79)

The “Blake Street Bombers” were well known around the league by 1997, but the heart of the Rockies’ lineup shifted over

the years and found a new home in the form of Larry Walker.

Dante Bichette’s production steadily declined after the ’95 season, and he hit just 26 home runs in 1997. Vinny Castilla

and Andres Galarraga continued to put up 40-plus homers in to ’97, but the team lead belonged to Walker with 49 bombs.

25

Not only did Walker lead the team in deep flies, but he hit an astonishing .366 with 130 RBI. His dominance did not go

unnoticed through the year, and Walker was named the 1997 NL MVP. Walker also earned a Gold Glove and Silver

Slugger in ’97 to cement his spot as one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

Once again the Rockies struggled in the pitching department in ’97, but there were a few notable performances as

well. Roger Bailey took over as the club’s ace and posted a 9-10 record with a 4.29 ERA. Though the numbers don’t

exactly jump off the page, his performance was enough to carry an otherwise lackluster rotation.

Bruce Ruffin lost his role as the team’s full-time closer, but Jerry Dipoto and Steve Reed combined for 22 saves in his

absence.

Walker’s MVP performance along with a serviceable pitching staff and bullpen led the team to an eventual 83-79 record

and a third place finish in the NL West. The best single-season performance in franchise history boosted the ’97 club to

the third overall spot on the list.

2. 2009 Colorado Rockies (92-70)

Two very interesting factors led to the 2009 Rockies placement on the list. First, the club finished the regular season with

the best record in franchise history. However, even 92 wins was not enough for the club to win its first NL West Title.

The season started with manager Clint Hurdle at the helm, but after an underwhelming 18-28 start, the Rockies named

JIm Tracy as the new manager. Tracy brought to the club a long history of winning, and the team went 74-42 after he took

over. Troy Tulowitzki had established himself as a legitimate star in the middle of the lineup, and he helped lead a roster

of relatively unknown players to the playoffs for the second time in three years.

Even though the lineup was not as dominant as the teams mentioned earlier on the list, the pitching staff in 2009 was

possibly the best in franchise history. Ubaldo Jimenez was the head of the staff with a 15-12 record and 3.47 ERA, but

the rest of the rotation was as steady as Colorado had ever seen. Every other starter had double digit wins and an ERA

below 4.4.

Huston Street acted as the team’s closer and he converted 35 saves with a 3.06 ERA.

For years the Rockies relied on a heavy-hitting lineup and suffered through below average pitching, but the right balance

of offense and pitching was enough for the team to make it to the NLDS and land at number two on this list.

26

1. 2007 Colorado Rockies (90-73)

The best team in franchise history isn’t necessarily a surprise, but a World Series berth and a 90-win season is absolutely

worth being atop a list of all-time greats. The 2007 Rockies were great for a bunch of reasons. The lineup was comprised

of unknown talent, but the strengths of each player formed an explosive roster which gave opposing teams fits all year.

Matt Holliday (who definitely touched the plate in game 163) led the team on offense all year and finished with 36 home

runs and a .340 average. Newcomer Troy Tulowitzki burst on the scene and provided steady defense and an uncommon

amount of power from the shortstop position in his first year with the team. Willy Taveras and Kazuo Matsui stole 30

bags apiece and gave the Rockies an unfamiliar feature at the top of the lineup.

Not only was the lineup packed with talent from top to bottom, but the pitching staff was respectable all year. Jeff

Francis made a case for the NL Cy Young with a 17-9 record and Aaron Cook posted a 4.12 ERA to lead the staff.

Perhaps the greatest strength of the 2007 club was the bullpen, anchored by Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes. Corpas

had 19 saves and a 2.08 ERA while Fuented saved 20 games with a 3.08 ERA.

Though the season ended in a heart-wrenching sweep in the World Series, the 2007 Rockies season was special from

start to finish.

Looking back at how the teams rank all-time, the Rockies succeed when the emphasis is on balanced pitching and

offense. Ten years later, the Rockies look like they might have something special brewing, but the season is still young.

For now, the 2007 Rockies remain atop the list of all-time great teams.

27

Berrios baffles Colorado in nightcap as Rockies and Twins split twin bill By MHS Staff / Mile High Sports | May 18th, 2017

Jose Berrios kept the Colorado Rockies hitters off balance all night en route to a 2-0 victory at Target Field in the second

half of a double-header on Thursday. It was the final game of a three-game series between the Rockies and Twins at

Target Field. Minnesota salvaged the final game of the series, holding Colorado to three hits in the game. Colorado left

Minneapolis with the series win, however, their ninth on the season.

Tyler Chatwood did everything he could to keep the Rockies in the game despite issuing five walks and five hits over five

innings. He allowed just two runs on 105 pitches, but the Colorado offense was unable to generate anything against

Berrios. The 22-year-old had the Colorado hitters befuddled, striking out 11 on the night and allowing just a pair of singles

and a walk over 7.2 innings. Taylor Rogers retired a hitter and Brandon Kintzler earned his 11th save of the year for

Minnesota, who leads the AL Central at 20-17.

Colorado fell back to 26-16 in the loss, still leading the NL West. The Rockies threatened in the ninth inning

against Kintzler when Nolan Arenado hit a one-out single and Carlos Gonzalez followed with a walk. Kintzler forced Ian

Desmond into a ground-ball double-play to third base to end the game, however. Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra were the

only Rockies on the night to solve Berrios.

The Rockies next head to Cincinnati for a weekend series beginning on Friday. The Reds are 19-21 on the season and

losers of six games in a row. They were just swept by the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series after losing three of four

to the Giants before that, all on the road. Tyler Anderson (2-4, 6.43) will try and put together a longer outing to help

lengthen a Rockies bullpen that logged eight innings on Thursday in Minnesota.

28

Mark Reynolds has been baseball’s biggest bargain so far this season By Aniello Piro / Mile High Sports | May 18th, 2017

The Colorado Rockies signed Mark Reynolds to a contract this past offseason as an insurance policy for the Ian

Desmond experiment at first base. An afterthought at one point in the Rockies’ 2017 plan, Reynolds has soared beyond

the expectations of his $1.5-million minor-league contract this season to become one of the biggest bargains in the sport.

Through the first quarter of the season, Reynolds has been red-hot at the dish, ranking among one of baseball’s best in

most major offensive categories.

Reynolds, an 11-year journeyman, is in his second season with the Rockies, the seventh team he’s played for in his

career. But how did the 33-year-old first baseman evolve from an insurance policy to an everyday staple for

the surging Rockies club almost overnight? Well, it’s a testament to a few things, but the combination of knowledge he’s

learned over his career from an offensive standpoint has helped completely revolutionize Reynolds’ plate approach.

Previously known for his all-or-nothing swing, Reynolds has cut down on the power stroke while developing a tighter,

crisper swing throughout all points of the strike zone. The change in approach mixed with experience has Reynolds off to

a start that has catapulted the Rockies into first place in the National League West with one of the best records in

baseball.

“He’s squaring up the fastball. He’s not missing the fastball, the fastball middle, middle-in in he’s getting to, and he’s got

big-time power,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of Reynolds this season. “He’s locked in on the fastball; he’s not

missing it. Any ball that’s a mistake from the pitcher, he’s got a good swing. That’s the key, and he’s in a good spot at the

plate. He’s comfortable, he’s seeing the ball, his swings are good, and from there the talent. That’s a good thing for the

Rockies.”

Reynold’s is slashing .317/.389./.612 on the season and currently leads the Rockies’ offense in home runs, RBIs, and

OBP. His home run (12) and RBI totals (33) rank fifth and third respectively in the National League, ahead of household

names like Giancarlo Stanton, Paul Goldschmidt and Daniel Murphy.

“My swing’s on time. It’s finding barrels and getting up in the air. It’s a good combo.” Reynolds said earlier this month.

29

Reynolds has been so essential to the club this season that he has forced the hand of Bud Black. The Rockies’ original

plan was for Desmond to man first base when he returned from a Spring Training injury, but Reynolds’ offensive

barrage has resulted in Desmond playing just four of his 17 games at first base since his return.

The logjam of talent is a good problem for the Rockies to have, and one Reynolds wants to make sure the club has to

deal with over the course of the season.

“I want to keep playing,” Reynolds said earlier in the season. “If you want to play, you have to produce, especially in my

situation. So I’m just trying to produce every night and hopefully be in there the next day.”

Reynold’s has been the Rockies’ most well-rounded hitter so far this season. Whether he’s leading off the inning or

coming up with two outs, Reynolds has continuously produced for Colorado. Entering Thursday’s double-header with

Minnesota, he was hitting .469 in 32 at-bats when leading off an inning. With two outs, he’s hitting .326.

Reynolds isn’t the only one turning heads. The 2017 Rockies are doing that around the league. Off to their best start in

franchise history, the Rockies are playing their best baseball in nearly a decade thanks largely in part to Reynolds. And

while his offense has been center stage, his defense should not be overlooked.

Reynolds currently ranks second among all first basemen in put outs this season. His range factor of 10.05 leads the NL.

“It makes me feel a lot better, that’s for sure,” Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado said of Reynolds’ defensive play

at first base. “I’ll tell you what; I know when Mark’s not there … He’s an unbelievable first baseman, so I love having him

there.”

Reynolds has been an undeniable anchor and a driving force in the Rockies’ early 2017 success. The veteran presence

Reynolds brings both on and off the field is an unseen factor that has also greatly helped the Rockies this season. In all

ways, Mark Reynolds has been one of the key difference-makers for the 2017 Rockies.

Bringing Reynolds back for another go-around has proven to be a success thus far. Having evolved from a presumed

insurance policy to the catalyst of the team, all while becoming one of the most effective hitters in the league, Reynolds

has developed into the biggest steal of the offseason.

30

“He’s playing well, and it’s been that way since opening day,” Black said. “From the two-run homer in Milwaukee [on

Opening Day] to now, he’s been a major contributor to our early-season success. Good for him. I’m glad he’s here, glad

he re-signed with us. He’s doing his part for sure.”

31

No envy for Bud Black as Trevor Story nears return to Rockies By Casey Light / Mile High Sports | May 18th, 2017

Trevor Story is nearing his return to the Colorado Rockies, which means the time may be coming for Bud Black to make a

very tough decision.

Thomas Harding of MLB.com reported on Thursday that Story is set to make a rehab start at Triple-A Albuquerque after

“two productive days in the batting cage,” meaning his return to the lineup could come as early as the upcoming weekend

series in Cincinnati.

Story was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive May 10 with a left shoulder strain, but his injury wasn’t the most

concerning thing about him in the first month of the season.

It’s been a disappointing start to 2017 for Story, who took the baseball world by storm last year when he led National

League rookies with 27 home runs despite missing the final 40 percent of the season with a thumb injury. In 2017,

though, Story was hitting just .180 with 48 strikeouts over 111 at-bats in 33 games before being placed on the DL. His

batting average ranks 93rd out of 95 players qualified for the National League batting title as of May 18.

Meanwhile, his replacement, rookie Pat Valaika, has been steady both at the plate and in the field in his nine starts. As a

starter at shortstop, Valaika was hitting .267 with eight RBIs and three home runs in nine games (entering Thursday’s

double-header against Minnesota). On the season he’s hitting .250 in 21 total games.

Compare that with Story’s 15 RBIs and six home runs and it becomes a complicated question pondering what to expect

from Story upon his return, and just how long a leash manager Bud Black will have with the 24-year-old.

One of the knocks on Story during his minor-league career was his consistency. In his first three years in the minors his

batting average ranged from .263 to .277 to .233. In 2014 he hit .332 with 29 extra-base hits in 50 games for Modesto (A-

Advanced), but that same year he hit just .200 with 18 extra-base hits in 56 games when promoted to Double-A Tulsa. He

rebounded nicely to average a .279 average between Double- and Triple-A in 2015 before making the big league roster in

2016, but that consistency concern is beginning to manifest itself again here in 2017.

32

It leaves manager Bud Black in a bit of a precarious position. If it’s only a nagging injury that has caused Story’s struggles

at the plate, he may soon be back to the player he was in 2016 for the Rockies – hitting .272 with a .908 OPS. But if he’s

truly in a funk, Black will have a tough decision to make between he and Valaika.

In fairness to Story, he has a 97-game sample size from 2016 that Black can draw from to show what he’s capable of

doing when given a little leash. But in fairness to Black, that was under Walt Weiss and happened nearly a year ago.

Under Black, Story has been a sub-.200 hitter with a penchant for strikeouts.

Black has already shown this year that he’ll ride the hot hand. Mark Reynolds, who leads the team in RBIs, home runs

and on-base percentage, will stay in the Rockies lineup for as long as he’s hitting. Even when high-priced offseason

acquisition Ian Desmond became available from his own stint on the DL, Black stuck with Reynolds at first base and found

creative ways to get Desmond into the lineup in the outfield.

With Nolan Arenado and DJ LeMahieu also patrolling the infield, there’s less opportunity to move Valaika or Story around.

If Valaika plays well over the duration of Story’s absence and Story struggles immediately upon his return, Black will have

make a very tough call.

33

Greg Holland grabs another quick save thanks to Brian Dozier By Casey Light / Mile High Sports | May 18th, 2017

There’s no such thing as an easy save for a closing pitcher in Major League Baseball, but Greg Holland has nabbed two

that come as close as can be to that definition over the past two games against the Minnesota Twins. In his past two

outings, Holland has earned a pair of four-run saves while needing to retire only one hitter, Brian Dozier.

On Thursday afternoon, Rockies manager Bud Black called on Holland to retire Brian Dozier in a 5-1 Rockies victory that

earned Holland his MLB-leading 18th save. It would not have been a save situation, were it not for the slight jam that

fellow Rockies reliever Mike Dunn worked into in the ninth inning.

After retiring the first two hitters of the inning, Dunn allowed a pinch-hit single to Eduardo Escobar. He then proceeded to

walk Twins centerfielder Byron Buxton, brining Dozier to the plate with the potential tying run in the on-deck circle. As it

officially became a save situation, Black went to his reliable righty, who has now converted all 18 of his save opportunities

this season. Holland needed only four pitches to strike out Dozier for No. 18.

It might have felt a bit like deja vu for Holland, who two nights prior looked like he wouldn’t be needed in the ninth inning.

In that game, a 7-3 Rockies win, Holland again earned a four-run save after Jake McGee allowed to runners to reach

base with a pair of outs. After retiring the leadoff hitter, McGee surrendered a double to Twins catcher Jason Castro. He

struck out Buxton, then appeared to end the game when he struck out pinch hitter Chris Gimenez on a check swing.

But Gimenez swung on a pitch in the dirt and in their celebration of the win, the Rockies failed to tag him Gimenez out or

get the force out at first base on the dropped third strike and the inning continued. Again, Black called on Holland to earn

the final out and steal a save. Dozier was again the victim, popping out to second to end the game.

Dozier and Holland didn’t get a chance to square off in the series finale on Thursday night. Minnesota won the game 2-0,

and with Holland having pitched earlier in the day there was little chance he would make a second appearance. Dozier

went 0-for-5 with a strikeout and six runners left on base in the nightcap.

34

Jose Berrios dominates the Rockies to split the doubleheader By Drew Creasman / BSN Denver | May 18th, 2017

The Colorado Rockies offense fell flat in the second game of the doubleheader, getting thoroughly dominated by 22-year-

old Jose Berrios, who gave up just two hits in an ultimate shutout. The Minnesota Twins salvaged the final game of the

series with a 2-0 win.

Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood was incredibly wild and looked lost for much of the game but used his “veteraniness” to

allow just two runs over five innings despite walking five twins. (No, that does not equal ten hitters.)

Chad Qualls, Scott Oberg, and Carlos Estevez did their jobs to keep the game at 2-0, but the Rockies offense just couldn’t

get anything going, tallying just three total hits in the game. They struck out a combined 11 times.

With the loss, Colorado failed to collect their first series sweep of the season which has been an odd quirk of 2017. This is

the second time they have had some positive momentum interrupted by a double-header, which are notoriously difficult to

sweep, and though they remain in first place in both the National League and the NL West, they’ve yet to string together a

long stretch of wins, instead just winning about two out of every three.

This is a club that has been defined by epic streaks. Of course, the run into the playoffs in 2007 was insane and their

stretch of wins after firing Clint Hurdle and hiring Jim Tracy in 2009 was so good it ended up leading to the best record in

franchise history.

This loss was frustrating for Colorado because they were never really in the game. It was the first time this season they’ve

been completely dominated by superior pitching. (Though, Alex Wood of the Dodgers gets and honorable mention.) This

is a new model for success for the Rockies. They aren’t relying on the club to get hot and ride it out. They aren’t rolling the

dice and hoping for the best. Instead, they are slowly but surely winning almost every series they play on the backs of

consistent efforts from just about everyone on the 25-man (and because of injuries, really the 29-man) roster to get the job

done.

We will see how this continues as the Rockies head to Cincinnati to take on the Reds in a four-game set.

35

Rockies topple another ace to take top spot in National League By Drew Creasman / BSN Denver | May 18th, 2017

Minnesota Twins pitcher Ervin Santana came into this game with a 6-1 record and an ERA you’d need a magnifying glass

to see at 1.50. Santana has been not just one of the best pitchers this season, but one of the best in all of baseball going

back to last July. But the Rockies couldn’t care less about all that, hanging five runs on the Minnesota ace over the first

four innings to power their way to yet another road series win.

Once again, Nolan Arenado did the all-important job of scoring the first run of the game, launching a double-deck home

run in the first inning after working into a 3-2 count. Arenado is hitting .561 with five doubles, four home runs, and 13 RBI

in the first inning this season. Talk about setting a tone for the offense.

The big offensive output came in the third inning, though. Tony Wolters started things with a walk and Charlie

Blackmon stayed hot with a line drive single. DJ LeMahieu bunted them over (an interesting decision but avoiding the

double play) and it paid off when Rockies MVP Mark Reynolds drove in a pair after Arenado was intentionally walked. Ian

Desmond followed that up with an RBI single of his own, but Reynolds was thrown out at home to end the frame with the

Rockies up 4-0. Blackmon added another RBI single in the fifth, scoring Alexi Amarista who hit a bloop double, his

specialty.

Rockies starter German Marquez got into some early trouble, giving up a pair of infield singles in the first and lead-off

double in the second but was mostly excellent in the Thursday morning game. He worked out of the early jams beautifully,

pounding the edges of the strike zone with his moving fastball and making smart use of the curve.

He had retired 11 straight until Eddie Rosario put together a fantastic at-bat, coming back from down 0-2 to bring the

count full and finally getting a fastball in the zone to hit, and he did, driving it into the right-center field gap for a triple.

Rosario scored on a Brian Dozier sac fly, giving Marquez his only blemish on the day. Minnesota did manage to get a pair

on for Miguel Sano — their most dangerous hitter — but Marquez powered through, eclipsing the 100-pitch mark to finish

his strong outing with one of his best pitches of the afternoon:

His final line: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. He threw 62 of his 101 pitches for strikes and induced five groundouts to two pop

36

outs. Not bad for a 22-year-old who, when the pitching is fully healthy, slots in at the 7th spot in the Rockies starting

rotation.

The Colorado bullpen did what it does, getting through the final four innings with little drama. The combined efforts

from Chris Rusin, Adam Ottavino, and Mike Dunn, and Greg Holland allowed four hits and zero runs to preserve and

secure the 5-1 win.

Holland, for the second straight game, got an odd opportunity for a save with a four-run lead with two runners on in the

ninth. After throwing just four pitches to get save 17 two nights ago, it took Holland just four pitches once again to record

his 18th consecutive. Craig Kimbrel of the Boston Red Sox is second in that category with 12.

This win secured the fifth road-series victory for the Rockies in 2017. They’ve won all five of the full-length series they’ve

played away from Coors Field. Only a two-game split with the Los Angeles Dodgers could possibly be qualified as

Colorado failing to win a road set, and two-game sets are silly.

The Rockies are 11 games above .500 for the first time since September 26, 2010.

The Rockies added Santana’s name to a list that includes Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Cueto, Madison Bumgarner, Jake

Arrieta, and Zack Greinke; all pitchers who started games that Colorado ended up winning this season.

Colorado moves to 26-15 on the season. They will get a chance to improve upon that with the second game of this

double-header this evening. With the Washington Nationals losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon, the Rockies

now have the best record in all of the National League.

37

Berrios dazzles as Twins salvage doubleheader split By Associated Press / ESPN.com | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- If the pitching-starved Minnesota Twins are going to continue their surprising run to begin the 2017

season, they're going to need Jose Berrios to be a key part of their starting rotation.

So far, so good for Berrios and the Twins.

The 22-year-old right-hander allowed two hits and struck out 11 over 7 2/3 innings as the Twins beat the Colorado

Rockies 2-0 on Thursday night, salvaging a split of an interleague doubleheader between the first-place teams in the AL

Central and NL West.

The Twins scored just three runs in the doubleheader, but Berrios (2-0) made his scant support in the nightcap hold up

with the best outing of his young career.

"(Berrios) looked a lot like Jose Fernandez, to be honest; explosive quick heater, that sweeping curveball that he can turn

into a slider," Rockies first baseman Ian Desmond said. "He looked good. Sometimes you got to tip your cap, and I have

no shame in doing that today."

In Game 1, Nolan Arenado homered and Mark Reynolds drove in two runs to lead the Rockies to a 5-1 victory. They

scored all their runs off Twins starter Ervin Santana (6-2), who entered the day leading the majors with a 1.50 ERA but

struggled for his second straight home start.

In the nightcap, Berrios showed why he's being touted as Minnesota's next ace. He posted an 8.02 ERA in 14 starts last

year, walking 35 batters in 58 1/3 innings. But in his 2017 debut on May 13 at Cleveland, Berrios allowed just one run, two

hits and one walk while pitching into the eighth inning. On Thursday he was even better, posting a career high in

strikeouts and throwing first-pitch strikes to 21 of 27 hitters he faced.

"The work I put in in the offseason and during spring training and be able to be ahead of the hitters gives me the

confidence," Berrios said through an interpreter. "I can tell you guys that I'm 100 percent compared to last year in my

confidence. I didn't have that last year."

The Twins got RBI singles from Max Kepler in the first inning and Robbie Grossman in the fourth. They were two of five

hits allowed by Tyler Chatwood (3-6), who also walked five and struck out four in five innings.

HOMETOWN HASSLE

38

Berrios issued his only walk of the game to pinch-hitter Tony Wolters with two outs in the eighth. When Twins manager

Paul Molitor came out to pull Berrios from the game with left-hander Charlie Blackmon up next, Twins fans gave the

manager a hearty round of boos.

Reliever Taylor Rogers came on to retire Blackmon on a fly ball, Brandon Kintzler worked a scoreless ninth for his 11th

save in 12 chances, and Molitor was able to laugh about the heckling after the game.

"I kind of anticipated it was going to happen," he said. "That's why I called for him early so I didn't change my mind on the

way out."

REYNOLDS ROLLING

Reynolds has a team-leading 35 RBI to go with a whopping 1.008 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. He signed a minor

league contract a couple of weeks before spring training, and has been difficult to bench even with Desmond back from

injury. With the interleague matchup, manager Bud Black was able to use Reynolds as the designated hitter.

ROTATION ROULETTE

The rainout Wednesday night forced the day-night, split-admission doubleheader Thursday and threw a curveball at the

pitching plans for both teams.

While Chatwood and Berrios pitched the second game, neither manager expressed interest in bringing any of Thursday's

starters back Monday on short rest.

Molitor announced that Alejandro Mejia will start Saturday against Kansas City, leaving options open for Monday. Black

was noncommittal for Monday, when the team will play at Philadelphia, but Jeff Hoffman could be recalled from Triple-A

for that game.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: SS Trevor Story, placed on the 10-day DL a week ago with a strained left shoulder, took batting practice before

the game and was dispatched to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque. He's batting only .180 with a team-high

48 strikeouts in 111 at-bats.

UP NEXT

39

Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (2-4, 6.43 ERA) will take the mound Friday at Cincinnati, with RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (0-1,

4.85) pitching for the Reds.

Twins: RHP Hector Santiago (4-2, 3.80 ERA) will pitch Friday against Kansas City, opposite RHP Nate Karns (2-2, 4.46)

for the Royals.

40

Arenado, Rockies take 1st game vs. Twins 5-1 By Associated Press / ESPN.com | May 18th, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS -- Mark Reynolds came back to the Colorado Rockies this season on a just-in-case basis.

He's in the middle of their thriving lineup like he was part of the plan all along.

Nolan Arenado got the doubleheader going with a first-inning home run, Reynolds added a two-run single and the road-

tough Rockies beat the Minnesota Twins 5-1 on Thursday in the first game.

German Marquez (2-2) dodged trouble over five innings to limit the damage to a sacrifice fly by Brian Dozier, and the

Rockies raised their record in away games to 13-5, the best mark in the major leagues. They're leading the NL at 26-15

overall.

Reynolds has a team-leading 35 RBI, putting him in the top five in the majors, to go with a whopping 1.008 on-base-plus-

slugging percentage. He signed a minor league contract a couple of weeks before spring training, and has been difficult to

bench even with first baseman Ian Desmond back from injury. With the interleague matchup, manager Bud Black was

able to use Reynolds as the designed hitter.

Still the all-time leader with 223 strikeouts for Arizona in 2009, Reynolds has improved his two-strike approach and

balanced his power with better contact.

"I think it's a big pat on the back to Mark to, over the course of his career, make changes in the type of offensive player

he's become," Black said.

Greg Holland struck out Dozier to end the game for his franchise-record 18th consecutive save to start the season, after

entering with runners at first and second, to notch his second straight one-batter save.

Desmond and Charlie Blackmon drove in runs against Twins starter Ervin Santana (6-2), who took the mound with the

major league lead in ERA (1.50). Santana finished seven innings for the fifth time in nine tries, but two of the four walks he

issued scored.

"They're very aggressive right now and everything is going their way, so every time you're behind in the count something's

going to happen in favor of their team," said Santana, who has walked 12 batters over his last three turns.

Eleven of the 14 runs that Santana has allowed this year have come in his last two home appearances.

41

ARENADO AMBUSH

Santana was one strike from finishing a perfect first inning before Arenado belted a full-count fastball into the second deck

above left field for his 10th homer. Arenado is 16 for 31 with five doubles, four home runs, three walks and 13 RBI in the

first inning this season.

EMPATHETIC MARQUEZ

Marquez, one of three rookies currently in the rotation, stretched his scoreless streak to 15 straight innings until a triple

by Eddie Rosario led to the only run. He got slugger Miguel Sano to pop out with runners at first and second to end the

fifth inning.

Marquez dedicated the victory to his native country, recently beset by a wave of political violence.

"Besides us, the Rockies, this win goes to Venezuela," Marquez said.

LOCATION LUCK

The Twins, who have the second-best AL road record at 11-5, fell to 8-12 at home. Twins manager Paul Molitor didn't

want to dissect the issue.

"Probably we have to put the gray uniform on and try to play with a gray uniform," Santana said, smiling.

ROTATION ROULETTE

The rainout Wednesday night forced the day-night, split-admission doubleheader Thursday and threw a curveball at the

pitching plans for both teams.

Colorado's Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 5.25 ERA) and Minnesota's Jose Berrios (1-0, 1.17 ERA) were assigned to pitch the

second game, but neither manager expressed interest in bringing the afternoon starter back Monday on short rest.

Molitor announced that Alejandro Mejia will start Saturday against Kansas City, leaving options open for Monday. Black

was noncommittal for Monday, when the team will play at Philadelphia, but Jeff Hoffman could be recalled from Triple-A

for that game.

TRAINER'S ROOM

42

Rockies SS Trevor Story, placed on the 10-day DL a week ago with a strained left shoulder, took batting practice before

the game and was dispatched to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque. He's batting only .180 with a team-high

48 strikeouts in 111 at-bats.

UP NEXT

Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (2-4, 6.43 ERA) will take the mound Friday at Cincinnati, with RHP Lisalverto Bonilla (0-1,

4.85) pitching for the Reds.

Twins: RHP Hector Santiago (4-2, 3.80 ERA) will pitch Friday against Kansas City, opposite RHP Nate Karns (2-2, 4.46)

for the Royals.

43

Doing social media for sports teams is weird, new territory — and easier when they’re winning

By Christian Clark / Denverite | May 19, 2017

It was nearly 10 p.m. Sunday, a couple hours removed from the Colorado Rockies’ 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers

at Coors Field, and Julian Valentin was doing what he always does after Rockies games: Sifting through the team’s official

Twitter account’s mentions.

Most of the messages that night were positive. The Rockies had just completed a 6-4 homestand and sat nine games

over .500. Inevitably, though, there was the occasional troll.

“Dear @Rockies,” @ScottWarner18 wrote. “Do us all a favor and fire your whiny announcers.. or have them watch

10,000hrs of Vin Scully calling games to learn something.”

“This is one thing Giants fans and Dodgers fans (especially those who live in the Rockies region) can agree on,”

@cougjunkie chimed in with. “Those guys are the worst.”

Valentin thought about an appropriate response — something that would poke fun at the two men who’d invaded the

Rockies mentions but also wouldn’t be interpreted as mean spirited. Valentin settled on a GIF of Justin Timberlake’s

photoshopped face literally crying a river. He copied the link to the GIF and hit send.

As the Rockies assistant director of digital media and publications, Valentin is in charge of the team that runs the Rockies’

social media accounts. In the last few years, their responsibilities have swelled to include distributing news updates,

marketing promotions and merchandise, providing highlights, sharing photos, GIFs and videos, interacting with fans, and,

when necessary, dealing with trolls.

It’s online, through the channels of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, that the Rockies social media

team provides weather updates, shares the starting lineup, advertises fertilizer, makes “Shawshank Redemption” jokes,

gives fans a window into candid moments, doles out Nolan Arenado high five GIFs to punny fans and combats criticism

that crosses the line with Timberlake photoshops.

Valentin was playing professional soccer before he accepted a job with the Rockies in 2011. His initial role with the team

was as a club journalist. He assisted in writing and producing the team’s print publication, Rockies Magazine. It didn’t take

long for him to start assuming more responsibility on the rapidly growing digital side of things.

44

“That was sort of the X-factor when I took this job,” Valentin said. “I didn’t know what it would become or how it would

evolve. But it’s what’s driven me the last six, seven years.”

Valentin’s days now revolve around obsessing over what and when he and his team promote across the Rockies’ various

social media channels. He sent his final tweet from the Rockies’ account at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday and was back at his desk

by 7:30 a.m. mapping out on a sticky note what he wanted to post every hour from 10:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Twitter and

Facebook.

He works with Lauren Jacaruso, who runs the team’s Instagram and Snapchat accounts, and an in-game social media

coordinator who’s responsible for tweeting during games.

Game days can be hectic. On Sunday, which was Mother’s Day, the Rockies’ social media team fired off 133 tweets, 10

Instagram posts and nine Facebook posts. They worked with Colorado’s in-house photographers to provide fans with a

constant stream of stuff to interact with.

“All we try to do is be the driving force, try to be the kindling for the fire that is our online community,” Valentin said. “It’s a

fun opportunity we have to lead the discussion around our team and our fan base. It’s something that we enjoy and take

very seriously.”

The way fans interact with social media content can depend largely on the way a team is performing. Promoting a team

on social media channels is obviously easier work when that team is winning.

Last season was a good one for the Colorado Rapids. They finished with the second-most points in the MLS and

advanced all the way to the Western Conference Championship. This year, conversely, has been a struggle. The Rapids

are off to a 2-1-7 start and sit at the bottom of their conference with seven points in 10 matches.

“It can be difficult when there are not a lot of highlights and things to engage with,” said Rapids director of digital and

social media Alex McGeorge. “It has been a tough start to the season. You just try to stay positive without sugarcoating it

too much. Fans can sniff you out if you’re trying to sugarcoat things all the time. We try to be authentic.

“It’s not our job to try and win soccer games and sign players, so we just try to tell our stories as best we can.”

McGeorge was working for Fox Sports’ digital team before he came aboard with the Rapids ahead of the 2015 season.

When he started, Colorado’s public relations team was primarily handling the Rapids’ social media accounts. Now

45

McGeorge heads a team of five that runs the team’s social media accounts, writes stories and creates videos for the

team’s website.

“I think if you have a really good social media team, it’s almost an extension of the team on the field and really being that

connection point between the fans and the club,” McGeorge said. “Really being able to share that experience with the

fans and engaging with them.”

One of the dilemmas sports team’s social media managers wrestle with is how to entertain without offending. In late

January, the Portland Trail Blazers tweeted a video of Chandler Parsons air-balling a 3-pointer from its official handle. The

tweet set off a social media spat between Parsons and Blazers guard C.J. McCollum.

The NBA eventually intervened, sending a memo in February that prohibited teams from “mocking and/or ridiculing

opponents.” It was a stern warning, but no one was fired.

Back in April 2015 a then-Houston Rockets social media employee was let go after tweeting a gun emoji next to a horse

head emoji, which was used to represent the Dallas Mavericks mascot.

“Shhhhh. Just close your eyes,” the text of the since-deleted tweetread. “It will all be over soon.”

(Screen shot via The Big Lead)

“It’s a fine balance,” Valentin said. “I’m proud of the voice that we (the Rockies) have. We’re all about being entertaining,

fan-friendly, positive. My personality is not vindictive, not angry. All the interactions I have are a positive slant. That’s what

it’s all about. I try to spread positivity. I think in the last few years, shock value on Twitter especially, has become a way to

46

get Retweets, a way to get headlines.”

Rajiv Kahanna, who’s head of digital and social for Nielsen Sports North America, believes that one of the best strategies

a social media team can take is to show what its players are doing when they’re not on the field.

“Sports fans want to know what teams are doing off the court to get to know them at a more personal level,” Khanna said.

One of Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado’s favorite offseason activities is playing a neighborhood Wiffle Ball

game with a handful of close friends and family. They held the game on New Year’s Day this year.

Together, Arenado and the Rockies hatched the idea to stream the game on Instagram live. Valentin estimated that it

reached half a million people that day.

“There are so many roles that we try to fill,” Valentin said. “Social media is entertainment. It’s a sales machine. We try to

sell tickets. We try to sell merchandise. We try to build a community.”

“I just try to make sure that we are being interesting. Because I think if we are being interesting and presenting our content

in an interesting and creative way, I think all those things we want are going to come into place.”