Mickey Moniak is once again performing at a level befitting a first overall draft pick.
Moniak aims to sustain his recent hot streak as the Colorado Rockies face the Miami Marlins in the deciding game of a four‑game series on Thursday afternoon in Denver.
Moniak was just one at‑bats short of hitting for the cycle in Colorado’s 6‑3 victory over Miami on Wednesday, and he also homered in the team’s 14‑3 loss to the Marlins on Tuesday.
“He was a first‑overall pick for a reason, so talent has always been evident,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said after Wednesday’s game. “Players often take a circuitous path before finding a place where they settle into a phase of their career. It seems he’s found a comfortable spot in Denver, where he swings the bat well, and it was a significant factor for us Wednesday night.”
The Marlins’ June record of 20‑6, the finest in the majors and the best month in franchise history (.769), marked the second time in team history that Miami has secured at least 20 wins in a single month, following a 21‑8 tally in May 2012.
Miami starter Max Meyer entered Wednesday’s game with a spotless 9‑0 record, but early in the first inning Moniak singled on the second pitch for a 1‑0 lead.
“Staying on the fastball, I hit it out to left‑center,” Moniak said. “When I’m in that groove, everything feels good.”
McCullough expressed a desire for a better offensive approach in the finale, noting that Miami struck out 11 times yesterday, with Esteury Ruiz (four), Kyle Stowers (three) and Owen Caissie (two) responsible for nine of those.
He also witnessed a rare pinch‑hit inside‑the‑park homer: Joe Mack circled the bases after his long fly ball ricocheted off the center‑field wall in the seventh inning.
“I didn’t have Joe Mack doing that on my bingo card,” McCullough said. “This ballpark is unpredictable.”
Colorado intends to start veteran right‑hander Michael Lorenzen in hopes of splitting the series after a two‑game loss.
Lorenzen (3‑9, 6.83 ERA) returned to form after a rough stretch marked by 10 consecutive starts without a win and seven defeats. He snapped the skid on Saturday, allowing two runs and seven hits in 5 ⅔ innings during an 8‑5 victory over the Minnesota Twins, his first win since April 24.
“He pounded the zone, stayed ahead, and didn’t try too hard,” Colorado manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He was efficient with his pitches, relying heavily on his sinker to generate quick outs. He didn’t chase the messenger, which was great.”
Lorenzen faced the Marlins in the second game of the season, pitching 4 ⅓ innings for a no‑decision, and allowed three runs and seven hits.
His career record against Miami is 4‑2 with a 2.62 ERA in 18 appearances, including seven starts.
Following Wednesday’s game, McCullough selected Ryan Gusto as the starting pitcher for Thursday.
Gusto (0‑2, 5.06 ERA) delivered 3 ⅓ shutout innings in his most recent outing, a no‑decision against the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, and had a similar performance on June 21, limiting the San Francisco Giants to one run and three hits in 4 ⅓ innings. Miami won both games.
Gusto has yet to face the Rockies in his two‑year major‑league career.
