BASEBALL: Tyler Freeman's RBI single in 10th gets Rockies past Blue Jays

Pinch hitter Tyler Freeman singled home the go-ahead run in the 10th inning as the visiting Colorado Rockies defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

Freeman, recently activated from the injured list, singled to center off left-hander Brendon Little (0-1), driving in Brenton Doyle from second base. The Rockies won two of the three games in the series.

Right-hander Jimmy Herget closed the game with a perfect 10th inning to earn his first save, while left-hander Brennan Bernardino (1-0) pitched a flawless ninth to secure the win.

Toronto’s Kevin Gausman delivered a strong start, tossing six scoreless innings with two hits, no walks, and 10 strikeouts. The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a Davis Schneider RBI single against left-hander Kyle Freeland. Schneider drove in Myles Straw, who singled to left, after George Springer drew a walk with one out.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was later hit by a pitch to load the bases, but the rally ended on a strikeout and a popup.

Gausman retired the first 12 batters he faced, striking out six. Ezequiel Tovar broke up the no-hit bid in the fifth with a single to left. Tovar advanced to second on TJ Rumfield’s fielder’s choice grounder, but Gausman escaped the inning with two strikeouts and a groundout handled by Kazuma Okamoto.

Freeland allowed one run on five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in five innings before Antonio Senzatela relieved him in the sixth.

Toronto’s Tyler Rogers survived a seventh-inning threat, aided by second baseman Ernie Clement, who made a slick behind-the-back toss to shortstop Andres Gimenez to force a runner at second. Brett Sullivan followed with a single, but the inning ended on a groundout.

Colorado evened the score in the eighth against right-hander Tommy Nance. Kyle Karros walked, pinch runner Jake McCarthy stole second, and Tyler Johnston singled to left, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Willi Castro walked, but Mason Fluharty replaced Nance and struck out two to end the rally.

Freeman’s heroics in the 10th sealed the Rockies’ victory.

—Field Level Media/Reuters