PHILADELPHIA — Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland appeared to injure his right, non-throwing shoulder while being used as a pinch runner in the ninth inning of Monday night’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Bud Black, however, said afterward that Freeland was OK.
Freeland, Colorado’s Opening Day starter, entered with two outs and the game tied a 1-1 after Elias Diaz doubled. He went to third on a wild pitch by Jeff Hoffman and then tried to score after another Hoffman pitch got past catcher J.T. Realmuto.
But Realmuto threw to Hoffman covering, who tagged out Freeland. The Rockies pitcher immediately grabbed his right shoulder, which he used to brace himself during the slide, and headed to the clubhouse with a Colorado trainer.
Replays confirmed home-plate umpire D.J. Rayburn’s out call on the field. Not only was the out call in question but the fact that Hoffman blocked the plate with his foot as he made the play.
“The home-plate umpire saw it as a convergence of two players coming in, both trying to make a play,” Black said. “Really close play.”
Later, Cristian Pache hit a walk-off single with one out in the 10th inning after Bryce Harper made a leaping, run-saving catch in the top of the frame to lift the Phillies at home.
The Rockies were short-handed with Kris Bryant (back stiffness) and Brendan Rodgers (illness) sidelined.
“We’re trying to win the game,” Black said. “Kyle is an athlete. He’s hit. He’s run. He’s one of our fastest players.”
Freeland is 0-3 with a 13.21 ERA. He is not scheduled to pitch in this three-game series. He was working out and not available to speak to reporters afterward.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.