DENVER — Michael Toglia’s smile was as bright as sun-soaked Coors Field. Beyond the rookie’s celebrated glove, it was his bat that stymied the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon.
Just nine games into his promising career, Toglia crushed a 421-foot three-run homer that stretched a 4-0 lead to 7-0 in the f the third. The Rockies, behind the steady left arm of Kyle Freeland, then cruised to an 8-4 win over the Brewers, who fell further behind in their chase for a wild-card spot.
Playing spoiler – the only role Colorado can play at this point in the season – the Rockies won their second in a row over Milwaukee. They host Arizona for a three-game set beginning on Friday after taking two of three from the Brewers.
It didn’t much matter that the home run ball, the second of Toglia’s career, landed atop a section that was almost completely empty. When he reached the dugout, having driven in three of his four RBIs on the day, his megawatt grin flashed all the way up to the press box.
Toglia’s career day was evidence of a prospect with staying power and one that could potentially help steward a franchise turnaround in years to come. If nothing else, he’s one of the few reasons to keep tabs on the Rockies in September. The home run came on the heels of his first at-bat – an opposite field double to deep right that plated Brendan Rodgers for a 1-0 lead.
Not that he’d ever advocate for turning the faucet off, but it was more support than Freeland needed. The lefty was dominant from the outset. In six innings, Freeland allowed one run on two hits and struck out eight. In his two prior starts, Colorado’s meager offense scrapped together two runs total when Freeland started.
Brewers starter Eric Lauer got blasted for seven earned runs and didn’t get out of the third inning. He left the game with elbow tightness and several crooked numbers to his name.
