Jacob Stallings hit a game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning, while Ezequiel Tovar delivered a walk-off single in the 11th, marking his career-best fourth hit. This propelled the Colorado Rockies to a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night, following the first-inning ejection of Phillies star Bryce Harper.
After taking a borderline 0-1 sinker that appeared low and inside but was called a strike by home plate umpire Brian Walsh, Harper called a timeout. The two-time NL MVP struck out on the next pitch, a curveball, leading him to drop his bat and throw his helmet. He exchanged words with Walsh and was ejected, marking the 21st ejection of his career.
The Rockies ended the Phillies’ six-game winning streak and halted Philadelphia’s run of seven consecutive series opener wins since their April 29 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Despite their impressive 37-15 record, the Phillies had won nine of their previous 10 games.
Nick Castellanos and Edmundo Sosa hit home runs in the fifth inning off Rockies pitcher Ty Blach, who allowed five hits over 6 2/3 innings.
Tovar contributed an RBI single in the fifth inning, and Stallings tied the game with his third home run of the season, driving a first-pitch sinker from José Alvarado 427 feet to left-center. This was Alvarado’s first blown save in 10 opportunities this season.
In the 11th inning, Gregory Soto (0-1) intentionally walked Jordan Beck to start, putting runners on first and second. He then walked Ryan McMahon with one out, setting up Tovar’s sharp single into left field. This marked Tovar’s second career walk-off hit.
Tyler Kinley (3-1) struck out two batters in a flawless 11th inning as the Rockies played their third consecutive game of at least 11 innings, a franchise record.
In the 10th inning, Philadelphia loaded the bases with one out, but Nick Mears struck out Kyle Schwarber on a 2-2 curveball and retired J.T. Realmuto on a groundout.
“It’s stressful, obviously, against a team that is arguably the best team in baseball the way they are playing,” Rockies manager Bud Black commented.
Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez allowed one run and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings.
