Central grad Tanner Gordon makes MLB debut

DENVER — Tanner Gordon’s major league debut couldn’t have started any better. The Champaign native struck out the first two batters he faced on Sunday against the Royals at Coors Field, getting the start on the mound for the Rockies. Gordon capped off a 1-2-3 first inning with a groundout.

The 26-year old made it look easy before Kansas City scored four times in the second inning, including a three-run home run by Maikel Garcia. Gordon ended up throwing 6.1 innings giving up eight hits and five earned runs. He didn’t walk anyone, while striking out four, throwing 62 of his 78 pitches for strikes. The Royals beat the Rockies 10-1.

Gordon started the season in Triple A Albuquerque, following a trade to the Rockies last season from the Braves. Gordon was drafted by Atlanta in the sixth round in 2019 out of Indiana University, where played following two seasons at John A. Logan Community College.

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