The Arizona Diamondbacks wrap up their weekend series at the Colorado Rockies at 12:10 pm Sunday. It can be seen on Bally Sports Arizona.
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-1, 5.33) vs. Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (1-4, 9.28).
Nelson was hit hard by the Royals in his most recent start, allowing 11 hits, many of them coming on loud contact. He did not walk a batter and struck out three. … Opposing hitters have done significant damage on Nelson’s fastball this year, with a .333 average and .550 slugging. … This will be his first career start against the Rockies. … Gomber, one of the pieces the Rockies got back in the 3B Nolan Arenado deal a few years ago, has struggled mightily so far this year, although he did throw better in his most recent outing. On Monday in Cleveland he held the Guardians to three hits and three walks in five scoreless innings. … Gomber averages 90.4 mph with his fastball. He also throws a steady diet of change-ups, sliders and curveballs. From a results standpoint, the change-up has been his most effective pitch.
Coming up
Monday: Off.
Tuesday: At Texas, 5:05 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (4-1, 2.15) vs. Rangers RHP Jon Gray (1-1, 3.91).
Wednesday: At Texas, 11:05 am, Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (2-3, 3.06) vs. Rangers LHP Andrew Heaney (2-2, 4.38).
Thursday: Off.
Friday: At Chase Field, 6:40 pm, Diamondbacks LHP Tommy Henry (0-0, 6.23)* vs. Nationals RHP Chad Kuhl (0-1, 7.36)*.
* — Stats entering Saturday.
Sunday’s Diamondbacks-Rockies pitching matchup
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-1, 5.33) vs. Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (1-4, 9.28).
Coming up
Monday: Off.
Tuesday: At Texas, 5:05 pm, Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (4-1, 2.15) vs. Rangers RHP Jon Gray (1-1, 3.91).
Wednesday: At Texas, 11:05 am, pitchers TBD
Thursday: Off.
Friday: vs. Washington, 6:40 pm, pitchers TBD
The Rockies are off to a miserable 8-18 start, the sort of season most expected from a team that made relatively few changes in the winter following a 68-94 season in 2022. The Rockies have the fourth-worst offense in the league, averaging just 3.77 runs per game. Their pitching staff has a 5.09 ERA, last in the league. RF Kris Bryant, who was banged up for much of last year, has a .312/.379/.452 line with three homers. DH Charlie Blackmon has also posted solid numbers, with a .276/.394/.414 line. Most everyone else is struggling at the plate, including SS Ezequiel Tovar, a highly regarded young player who is hitting just .192 with 27 strikeouts in 78 at-bats. 2B/3B Ryan McMahon has 35 strikeouts in 88 at-bats. LHP Austin Gomber has a 9.28 ERA through five starts. RHP Jose Urena had a 9.82 ERA in his five starts and was designated for assignment this week. The Rockies got RHP Daniel Bard back from the injured in recent days. He has thrown 3 1/3 innings without allowing a run since his return.
Early reading for Diamondbacks-Rockies series
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks Daily: News, updates from Sunday’s series finale at Rockies