DENVER — In what is likely the wildest game of the season, Brenton Doyle of the Colorado Rockies hit a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, leading his team to an incredible 17-16 comeback victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.
Doyle, who was in shock after the game, said, “Honestly, pretty speechless. It’s hard to put into words. Just so proud of everyone in this clubhouse, never giving up. Man, what a win.”
Rockies Overcome Huge Deficit
The Rockies’ victory was particularly impressive because they came back from a nine-run deficit in the first inning. The Pirates got off to a quick start, scoring nine runs in the first, with Oneil Cruz hitting a grand slam and Andrew McCutchen smashing a three-run homer.
Despite the early setback, Colorado didn’t give up. The Rockies made a stunning comeback over the next eight innings, cutting the Pirates’ lead to 16-10 by the end of the eighth.
A Historic Comeback
According to ESPN Research, the Rockies became the first team to overcome a nine-run, first-inning deficit since Cleveland did it against Kansas City on August 23, 2006. Additionally, they became the first team since the Boston Red Sox in 2008 to win a game after allowing 15 or more runs.
Doyle said, “Getting down nine in the first, it’s tough to come back from, but we kept the energy high. We kept the fight in us. Oh my God, what a game.”
A Wild Finish
In the bottom of the ninth, with one out, Hunter Goodman hit a 425-foot homer to make it a 16-13 game. After a walk to Jordan Beck, Warming Bernabel hit an RBI triple, bringing the score to 16-14. Thairo Estrada then singled Bernabel home, making it 16-15.
With two outs, Doyle took a 406-foot shot to end the game, sending the Rockies fans into a frenzy as they completed one of the most unlikely comebacks in baseball history.
A Night of High Scoring Across MLB
Friday night’s game wasn’t the only high-scoring affair in baseball. According to StatsPerform, it was the first time since June 23, 1930, that three MLB games in one day saw at least 25 combined runs.
In addition to the Rockies’ win, the Miami Marlins came from behind to beat the New York Yankees 13-12, while the Milwaukee Brewers posted 25 hits in a 16-9 win over the Washington Nationals.
