Colorado School of Mines Walter Pennington makes history as Freeland's season-best start wins hometown battle

Whether it was The Hill of Colorado School of Mines or the south Denver suburbs of Thomas Jefferson High School, all roads led to Coors Field for two hometown arms.

Kyle Freeland started the action, but Royals’ reliever Walter Pennington made personal history when he debuted in the eighth inning of the Rockies’ 4-2 win on Friday. The latter garnered two scoreless outs with his first strikeout after Kansas City’s John Schreiber gave up the go-ahead runs on Brenton Doyle’s bases-loaded double.

The former Oredigger standout was called up and shared delight with his wife on the phone after the news. As a Broomfield High School senior, he once played in a Futures Game at Coors Field in 2016. He watched as Todd Helton hit a home run in his final home game against Boston in 2013.

Pennington’s dream was hatched a mile high and realized in the same place.

“I grew up here, I was dreaming of being a professional baseball player, and it all started here at this stadium,” Pennington said. “Now I get to come up here, it’s a dream come true.”

“I remember Todd Helton’s last game. I was here for that game, he was my (favorite player) — I was a first baseman growing up.”

He said before the game that 50 or more family members and friends would be at the game — a soldout crowd of 48,321 joined them for the second night and final night of Colorado’s fireworks display. His mother held back tears as he took the field.

Freeland’s season-high seven-inning start in Friday’s Rockies win came nearly eight years after he went six innings and allowed one run to the Dodgers, in his 2017 debut after a stint at the University of Evansville in Indiana led to a first-round selection.

It was his longest start since June 4, 2023, also against the Royals. He has a 1.37 ERA in three starts since returning from a left elbow strain that landed him on the injured list for two-plus months.

“He’s a dog — I love his passion. He's one of my favorite pitchers ever to watch,” Doyle said after the game.

Pennington’s debut was also years in the making but came through undrafted free agency. He was signed amid the COVID-19 pandemic and worked his way through Kansas City’s minor league system. He went undrafted after a 6.75 ERA in his final year at Mines.

Pennington carried a 3.59 earned run average in 142 minor league appearances before getting the call to join the Royals in Denver.

“You can’t write this stuff up; it’s like it’s meant to be,” Pennington said before the game. “From a Division II college — I’ll hopefully put them on the map today — to this. Just a wild ride.”

He joined Roy Hartzell (1906-1916) as Orediggers to reach the major leagues. Six others have been drafted but didn’t debut — Trevor Kehe (2021) and Marshall Schuler (2010-2015) were also taken in the 21st century but retired from baseball before reaching the major leagues.

"The dream started here, and we're completing it now," Pennington said after the game. "It's just the beginning."

Rockies 4, Royals 2

What Happened: Kyle Freeland fired a season-best seven innings and held the Royals in check before his offense heated up in the eighth inning to capture a series-opening win.

On the mound: Freeland allowed one earned run on seven hits and a walk with five strikeouts. The seven-inning outing was his longest since June 4, 2023, also against the Royals. Victor Vodnik fired a scoreless eighth before Jalen Beeks worked around two hits and earned his eighth save. The staff held Kansas City to 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

At the plate: Brenton Doyle added his 14th and 15th RBI of the last 15 games in the eighth inning to put Colorado ahead. He had three hits in the win. Michael Toglia’s 10th home run came amid controversy after a fan interference review in the third inning. Ryan McMahon added a double and Brendan Rodgers had two of the Rockies’ eight hits and four walks.

What’s next: Kansas City Royals (RHP Seth Lugo, 11-2; 2.17) at Colorado Rockies (LHP Austin Gomber, 1-5; 4.72) on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. at Coors Field.