It's a shocking moment when a batter like Colorado Rockies' Tyler Freeman takes a 98.2 mph pitch from Milwaukee Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski and gets hit. In his head? That's even worse.
When hitters step into the batter's box to face a pitcher like Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, they know that it's a tough assignment.
But the Colorado Rockies' Tyler Freeman knows firsthand how getting hit by a Misiorowski cutter feels like. Freeman was struck in the helmet by a Misiorowski pitch in Saturday night's 7-1 loss at Coors Field.
After he was struck, the Rockies' medical staff and manager Warren Schaeffer came out to check on him. It was not too hard of a decision to remove him from the game.
Misiorowski reacted emotionally to the situation, putting his glove to his head and going behind the pitcher's mound to try and get himself back together. Freeman was hit by a 98.2 mph cutter. It was not a 100-mph fastball, which Misiorowski throws a whole lot.
Misiorowski Speaks About Situation
There were reactions from both ballclubs. Misiorowski wasn't intentionally trying to hit Freeman, even if Rockies fans thought he did.
“Obviously I don't want that to happen … lost the ball, lost grip on it,” Misiorowski said, according to MLB.com. “Obviously, not aiming for him. There's also the moment, I'm standing behind the mound trying to pray for him a little bit."
Rockies player Troy Johnston tried to introduce some levity into the situation.
“They were talking about amputating his head, but I think they advised against that,” Johnston said. “Other than that, he’s fine, seems in good spirits. He’s a team guy. He’s one of the guys that will go out there and crowd the plate, and get hit with 100 if he needs to do it.”
Kyle Karros, who had an RBI double in the ballgame, also had some thoughts on Freeman getting hit by a pitch.
“It was super scary,” Karros said. “I hate to see it. I feel bad for both guys involved. Obviously, Miz wasn’t trying to do that. But it’s part of the game. Free is going to be all right, but scary stuff, no doubt.”
Misiorowski had the Rockies' lineup in stitches. Misiorowski gave up one run on four hits and struck out eight times.
Johnston Trying to Improve
That sixth-inning scoring opportunity went by the wayside when Johnston could not get a ball into the air for a sacrifice fly. After Saturday night's game, Johnston talked about not being able to meet that moment.
“I’m working through some swing changes right now, trying to work on being more on-time and being in a good spot,” Johnston said. “That at-bat and the last couple of days, I have not been in a good spot to hit.
"But I’ve got the confidence and I’m swinging at good pitches," Johnston continued. "I’ve got that going for me, and I’m really close to being able to drive in those runs.”
Losing the first two games against the Brewers secures a series win for Milwaukee. But the Rockies, on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field, could take the final game and avoid getting swept.
They need to start playing better on a consistent basis if they want to hit the .500 mark record-wise this season.
