COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
• The Colorado Rockies begin a two-game set with the Dodgers tonight in Los Angeles to cap their first road trip of 2023 … coming off a four-game split in San Diego that snapped a streak of two-straight series losses to the Padres.
• The Rockies return home to Coors Field on Thursday for their Home Opener against the Washington Nationals … will play four against the Nationals and three against the St. Louis Cardinals to begin the 2023 home slate.
TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN
• Sunday’s game time of 2:03 breaks in as the 12th-shortest game in Rockies’ history, the shortest since a 1:58 time of game on July 1, 2008 … in that contest, Aaron Cook tossed a 79-pitch complete-game shutout against the Padres a Coors Field, one of only nine CGSO tossed at Coors Field at the time.
• The shortest game in franchise history came on June 30, 2006 at Seattle when the Rockies topped the Mariners 2-0 in 1:52.
CUT THE NETS
• Infielder Alan Trejo, Manager Bud Black and Head Trainer Keith Dugger are all alumni of San Diego State University, whose men’s basketball team play in the NCAA National Championship tonight against UConn.
• Black pitched at San Diego State in 1978-79 and was inducted into the San Diego State Hall of Fame in 1992 … Trejo played three years for the Aztecs from 2015-17 while majoring in aerospace engineering … Dugger graduated from San Diego State in 1989.
THE BLUES
• The Rockies went 8-11 against the Dodger in 2022, including a 3-6 record at Dodger Stadium and a 3-3 record in a six-game series in Los Angeles to end the regular season … the Rockies were limited to a .209 batting average (62-for-296) at Chavez Ravine last season while the pitching staff threw to a 4.56 ERA (75.0 IP, 38 ER).
CRON ZONE
• C.J. Cron was named the National League Player of the Week today by Major League Baseball, the second time in his career that he has earned the honor (also: Aug. 8, 2021).
• The first baseman went 2-for-4 with a double and home run Saturday and was 7-for-11 with two doubles and three home runs through the first three games before going 0-for-4 yesterday … is the eighth player (ninth time, Dante Bichette twice) in franchise history to begin a season with at least seven hits through the team’s first three games, the first since Carlos González went 8-for-15 across the first three games of the 2015 season.
• Cron is the first player in franchise history with at least seven hits and three home runs through the first three games of a season … the last player in the Majors with at least seven hits and three home runs through a teams first three games was Cody Bellinger with the Dodgers in 2019.
MEAT OF THE ORDER
• Kris Bryant, Charlie Blackmon and C.J Cron, who have hit two-three-four in the batting lineup each of the first three games, have combined to go 20-for-47 (.426) with five doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, four walks and eight strikeouts through the first four games … five through nine in the Rockies lineup have combined to go 13-for-77 (.169) with three doubles, two home runs, five RBI, three walks and 27 strikeouts.
OPEN BOOK
• On Thursday, Charlie Blackmon made his 10th career Opening Day start, surpassing Troy Tulowitzki (nine) and Carlos González (nine) for the second-most Opening Day starts behind Todd Helton’s 16.
• The 2023 season is Blackmon’s 13th on the Rockies’ Major League roster, the second-most seasons in Rockies history behind Todd Helton’s 17.
STARTING PITCHER – #18 RYAN FELTNER RHP
YOUNG GUN
• The 26-year-old rookie right-hander made 20 appearances and 19 starts in 2022 in his first full season with the Rockies … went 4-9 (Rockies 6-13) with a 6.03 ERA (94.0, 63 ER) in his 19 starts (four QS), walking 33 and striking out 82.
• Was selected by the Rockies in the fourth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Ohio State University.
• Born in Orlando, Florida but attended Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio … was the 2015 Ohio Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year and was selected by Toronto in the 25th round of the 2015 Draft but chose to attend Ohio State.
LA-LA LAND
• Has gone 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA (9.1 IP, 2 ER) in two career appearances (one start) against the Dodgers
• Only career relief appearance came against Los Angeles-NL on July 29, 2022, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings.
HOME HAPPENINGS
• Went 2-4 (Rockies 4-4) with a 6.46 ERA (39.0 IP, 28 ER) across eight starts at Coors Field, walking 15 and striking out 33 … allowed five home runs while opponents hit .248 (38-for-153).
• Tossed seven one-run innings in his first start at Coors Field May 30 vs. Miami, allowing four hits with one walk and six strikeouts … the lone run came on a solo homer from Jesús Sánchez … tossed at least six innings just once in his seven remaining home starts, posting a 7.59 ERA (32.0 IP, 27 ER).
• Lone career relief appearance came July 29 vs. Los Angeles-NL, tossing 3.1 shutout innings with three hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
ROAD WOES
• Posted a 5.73 ERA (55.0 IP, 35 ER) across 11 road starts, logging a 2-5 record (Rockies 2-9) with 18 walks and 49 strikeouts … opponents slashed .281/.338/.484 with 11 home runs (61-for-217).
• Allowed three or fewer runs in seven of 11 starts, but failed to make it to the sixth inning in five of those seven and in eight of 11 road starts overall.
BODY OF WORK
• Through his first 21 career starts has gone 4-10 with a 6.37 ERA (100.1 IP, 71 ER), 38 walks and 88 strikeouts … his 6.37 ERA ranks as the fourth-highest in franchise history through a Rockies pitcher’s first 21 starts, trailing Peter Lambert (7.48), Mark Thompson (6.65) and Bryan Rekar (6.59).
• Was one of three pitchers in franchise history to have 10 losses through his first 20 career starts, along with Eddie Butler (2014-16) and Tyler Matzek (2014-15) … his .286 winning percentage ranks as the second-lowest through a starter’s first 21 starts in franchise history, behind Drew Pomeranz’ .250 winning percentage (2011-12) … has received 12 runs of support across his 10 career losing decisions with no runs of support in six of the starts.
• Feltner’s 2.32 strikeout-to-walk ratio through his first 21 starts ranks as the fifthbest in franchise history, trailing Tyler Anderson (3.33), German Marquez (3.20), Jon Gray (3.03), and Juan Nicasio (2.86).
SKIP A GRADE
• Had his contract selected by the Rockies on Sept. 5, 2021 from Double-A Hartford, the first Rockies starter to skip Triple-A and go straight to the Majors since Antonio Senzatela, who finished the 2016 season with Hartford before making the 2017 Rockies Opening Day roster … the last Rockies starter to go straight from Double-A to the Majors without making a start at Triple-A in a single season was Chad Bettis in 2013 (Double-A Tulsa to debut on Aug. 1, 2013 at Atlanta).
• Began the 2021 season with High-A Spokane where he went 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA (37.1 IP, 9 ER) in seven starts … promoted to Double-A Hartford on June 17 and went 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA, 22 walks and 80 strikeouts in 13 starts with the Yard Goats.
FREQUENT FLIER
• Recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 5 in place of Chad Kuhl (15-day IL, right hip flexor strain), his fifth stint on the active roster this season, not including a stint as the 27th man in the Aug. 2 doubleheader in San Diego … remained in the rotation after Antonio Senzatela torn his ACL.
• Recalled for the first time on April 27 and made his season debut that day at Philadelphia before being optioned on May 1 … recalled a second time May 25 and made three starts (1-1, 5.40) before being optioned on June 5 … recorded his first Major League win on May 30 vs. Miami, tossing a career-high seven innings and allowing one run on four hits.
• Recalled a third time on June 11 and made three starts, going 0-1 with a 6.59 ERA (13.2 IP, 10 ER) … was originally optioned to Albuquerque on June 27, but the option was rescinded and he was instead put on the 15-day injured list with a right rhomboid strain … reinstated from the IL and optioned to Albuquerque on July 12.
• Recalled for the fourth time July 29 and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief against the Dodgers at Coors Field that night, his first professional relief appearance … optioned the next day.
• Served as the 27th man in the Rockies’ Aug. 2 doubleheader against San Diego … started the second game, allowing three runs through 3.2 innings.
TRIPLE DIP
• In 11 starts for Triple-A Albuquerque this season, went 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA (51.2 IP, 22 ER), 49 hits, 18 walks and 60 strikeouts.
• Went 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA (13.1 IP, 6 ER), six walks and 12 strikeouts in three starts in July, including one rehab start on July 7.
• Earned the win in his last start, July 24 vs. Sugar Land, allowing two runs on four hits across five innings.
CUP OF COFFEE
• Made two starts for the Rockies in 2021, his Major League debut on Sept. 5 vs. Atlanta at Coors Field and Sept. 12 at Philadelphia … combined to go 0-1 with a 11.37 ERA (6.1 IP, 8 ER), eight hits, five walks and six strikeouts.
• Did not factor into the Rockies’ 5-4 at Citizens Bank Park in his second start, allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts … struck out Jean Segura in the first inning for his first Major League strikeout.
BEFORE TIMES
• Did not pitch in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League season.
• Spent the entire 2019 season with Low-A Asheville, where he went 9-9 with a 5.07 ERA (119.0 IP, 67 ER), 46 walks and 116 strikeouts … tied for the team lead in wins and starts and ranked second in strikeouts and innings pitched.
• Made nine starts with Rookie Level Grand Junction in his professional debut in 2018 … posted a 0.88 ERA (30.2 IP, 3 ER), four walks and 39 strikeouts … tossed 18 consecutive scoreless innings in a span of five starts from Aug. 3-26.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:
TONIGHT’S STARTER vs. ROCKIES: RHP MICHAEL GROVE (1-0, 4.60 ERA in 7 G (6 GS) in 2022)
YEAR TEAM W-L ERA G GS CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB SO
2019 Rancho Cucamonga (A+) 0-5 6.10 21 21 0 0 51.2 61 37 35 7 19 73
2021 Tulsa (AA) 1-4 7.86 21 19 0 0 71.0 85 62 62 19 42 88
2022 Tulsa (AA) 0-1 2.76 5 5 0 0 16.1 11 8 5 1 5 22
Oklahoma City (AAA) 1-4 4.07 14 12 0 0 59.2 56 32 27 10 21 68
LOS ANGELES 1-0 4.60 7 6 0 0 29.1 32 21 15 6 10 24
2023 LOS ANGELES – – – – – – – – – – – – –
MiLB Totals (3 Years) 2-14 5.84 61 57 0 0 198.2 213 139 129 37 87 251
Major League Totals (1 year) 1-0 4.60 7 6 0 0 29.1 32 21 15 6 10 24
2023 SEASON NOTES:
• Started six games during Spring Training, posting a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA (10 ER/16.2 IP) and 17 strikeouts against just three walks…produced a 1.03 WHIP
• Named to his first Opening Day roster as a Major Leaguer after making his big league debut last season on May 15 against the Phillies
VS. ROCKIES:
• Will face Colorado for just the second time in his career…last pitched against the club on Oct. 1, 2022 at Dodger Stadium, where he allowed four earned runs on six hits over 5.0 innings with three strikeouts against two walks while not factoring in the decision.
2022 NOTES:
• Split the season between Double-A Tulsa (5 GS), Triple-A Oklahoma City (14 G, 12 GS), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (7 G, 6 GS)
• Started the season with Double-A Tulsa, going 0-1 in five starts with an ERA of 2.76 (5 ER/16.1 IP)…gave up 11 hits, one home run, and five walks as he punched out 22 batters while holding hitters to a .180 average
• Appeared in 14 games (12 starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 1-4 record and a 4.07 ERA (27 ER/ 59.2 IP)…struck out 68 batters while giving up 56 hits, 32 runs, 10 homers, and 21 walks
• Finished the season with the Dodgers, recording one win and no losses over four stints…posted a 4.60 ERA (15 ER/ 29.1 IP) on 32 hits, 10
walks and 24 strikeouts
• Made his Major League debut on May 15, 2022, against Philadelphia, tossing 3.2 innings and giving up four hits, four runs, and three walks
while striking out three while not factoring in the decision… recorded his first Major League strikeout on the second batter he faced, Alec Bohm, in six pitches
• Recorded his first Major League win on September 25 vs. St. Louis, allowing three hits, one earned run, one walk, and punching out three in 5.0 innings
• Ended the season on an 18-game streak of having at least one strikeout (since June 7)
CAREER NOTES:
• West Virginia native looks to his fourth professional season in Dodger Blue after making his Major League debut last season on May 15 against Philadelphia, striking out three over 3.2 innings while not factoring in the decision
• Owns a 2-14 Minor League record with a 5.84 ERA (129 ER/198.2 IP) in 61 games (57 starts) with 251 strikeouts against 87 walks…has held opponents to a .270 average
• Boasts a Major League record of 1-0 in seven games (six starts) with a 4.60 ERA (15 ER/ 29.1 IP) with 24 strikeouts against 10 walks
• Recorded his first Major League strikeout on the second batter he faced, Alec Bohm, in six pitches on May 15, 2022
• Recorded his first Major League win on Sept. 25 vs. St. Louis, allowing three hits, one earned run, one walk, and punching out three in 5.0 innings
• Played two seasons of collegiate baseball with West Virginia, posting a 5-5 record with a 3.13 ERA in 25 games (16 starts), allowing 74 hits and striking out 117 batters in 92.0 innings
• As a sophomore, he was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and Academic All-Big 12 First Team after going 3-1 with a 2.87 ERA (15 ER/47.0 IP) and holding batters to a .174 average
• Was limited to nine starts in 2017 before sustaining a season-ending arm injury that would result in Tommy John surgery
• Originally selected be the Dodgers in the second round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of West Virginia
