Rockies Run Up Early Lead, Ring Up 14 in their Friday Win

JOHNSTOWN, Colo. -- A rough start and reappearing struggles plagued NoCo in Friday's defeat, 

Grand Junction (16-6) jumped on the Owlz (9-12) quickly. The lead never looked insurmountable, but with just six hits on the night, NoCo could never capture enough momentum to make a serious run at the Rockies' early advantage. 

For the second time in three games, the Owlz failed to string together consecutive hits. They also struck out 14 times, their most in a game since June 29 against, you guessed it, Grand Junction. 

But the road team's offense made the first impression. It came off Tanner Schoeninger (L, 2-5), who took a second to settle in.

In his defense, Schoeninger wasn't initally supposed to start. Friday's projected starter, Colton Williams, was scratched from the lineup, leaving Schoeninger to a spot start.

It didn't start well. The Rockies rushed out to a 4-0 lead immediately. 

And before the Owlz even got through their order, the road team racked up an eight-run lead. NoCo cut it to three at a point, but the Rockies cut down enough of the Owlz opportunities to keep the birds at bay. 

In the fourth, with runners on second and third, the Owlz struck out twice to end the inning. In the fifth frame, NoCo couldn't capitalize on an Alex Jackson leadoff single, striking out twice to end that inning too. 

One opportunity NoCo converted: Abdel Guadalupe's first professional home run. The Puerto Rican ripped the third-inning three-run rocket to put his team on the board. 

With RBI walks from Jackson and Guadalupe, the Owlz reduced the Rockies lead again a few innings later. At that point, the scoreboard read 8-5 with NoCo clawing back.

But Grand Junction jacked a three-run homer of their own a half inning later. Then the Rockies retired the Owlz in order over the next three innings and called it a night. 

Late in this game, the bullpen brought on some bright spots. Other than that homer, Kyle Adkins didn't allow a lot of hard contact. Isaiah Ramos rung up three Rockies in the eighth to strike out the side. William Kirwan came out in the ninth and used just seven pitches to retire his three batters. 

Guadalupe and Kevin Higgins headlined the night when it comes to the batting birds. Higgins hacked two hits, turning in a two-hit game for the first time in four games. That's his longest such drought since early July, when he went five games without mustering multiple hits. Higgins now owns 33 multi-hit games this season. 

Of the Owlz five ribbies, four belonged to Guadalupe. He entered Friday's conflict with four RBI in his nascent NoCo career. After 10 games as an Owl, Guadalupe's logged 17 hits in 35 at-bats, including five doubles and Friday's big fly. He's up to eight RBI and 11 runs scored, and he's only struck out three times. 

NoCo could take a page from the Puerto Rican's playbook: fewer strikeouts. It's been a problem all season against Grand Junction, whose pitchers now average 11 punch outs per game against these Owlz.

These two teams take the field for a fifth time this series on Satuday. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. from Nelson Farm Park.

And don't forget about our Owlz-branded bear promotion! The first 50 kids in the gate get to take home a cute, cuddly NoCo bear. Click here to buy your tickets and ensure your kiddo can claim one.

See you Saturday!