Arizona stitched together a late surge to flip a tight contest with Colorado, as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. ripped a ninth-inning double off the wall to score Geraldo Perdomo and seal a 6-5 win for the Diamondbacks. Gurriel drove in three runs on the night, adding a sac fly and a single earlier as Corbin Carroll homered for the third straight game on a Star Wars bobblehead night that drew a robust crowd. The win came with Andrew Hoffmann, just acquired from Kansas City, firing a clean 1-2-3 ninth for his MLB victory. Ketel Marte contributed with a double that helped spark a three-run third, while Perdomo added his third hit of the game, setting the stage for Gurriel’s dramatic finale. On the other side, Brenton Doyle’s two-run blast and a trio of Rockies RBIs from Kyle Farmer, Warming Bernabel and Ezequiel Tovar kept Colorado in it until the last out. Colorado starter Eduardo Rodríguez lasted 5 1/3 innings, and while Blalock added a late four-bit line, the ninth-inning rally wasn’t enough to keep the series from slipping away. The Diamondbacks move to a fragile .500-ish position, but the late-inning power and timely hitting create a promising fantasy narrative around Gurriel, Carroll, Hoffmann, and Perdomo as the five-tool core remains potent.

Bruce Bochy, the Texas Rangers manager, celebrated his 70th birthday in a memorable way at Globe Life Field. In a heartwarming gesture, his grandson, Braxton, surprised him by throwing out the first pitch before the game against the Los Angeles Angels. Bochy, who is a four-time World Series champion, shared a touching moment with his grandson on the field, capturing a family photo right after the pitch.

Amidst the celebrations, Bochy made a simple request for his birthday: he hopes to see his Rangers' offense become more productive. As the team looked to secure their second consecutive win, the spotlight was on Bochy, who reflected on both his legacy and the current form of his team.

The Colorado Rockies achieved a remarkable feat on Saturday night at Coors Field, executing their first triple play in nearly a decade during a matchup against the Oakland Athletics. This rare play unfolded in the second inning, marking the first triple play in Major League Baseball this season. German Marquez initiated the inning by walking Shea Langeliers, while Tyler Soderstrom reached first base via an infield single. Jacob Wilson then hit a sharp ground ball to third baseman Ryan McMahon, who deftly stepped on third base, fired to second baseman Kyle Farmer, and completed the play at first with a throw to Michael Toglia, beating Wilson by a hair. This historic moment marked only the fifth triple play in Rockies franchise history, with the last being executed on September 1, 2015, against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Colorado Rockies are optimistic about their future despite facing two consecutive 100-loss seasons. Manager Bud Black highlighted the potential growth of young players as they aim to improve in 2025. The Rockies' offseason has seen limited activity, with notable signings including catcher Jacob Stallings and infielders Thairo Estrada and Kyle Farmer. However, Black and GM Bill Schmidt remain hopeful that returning pitchers Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela can strengthen the rotation.

Black emphasized the importance of health and breakout performances from unproven prospects like Drew Romo and Jordan Beck, which could be vital for the team's success. Pitchers and catchers are set to report soon for spring training, with the season opener scheduled for March 28.

Thairo Estrada has officially joined the Colorado Rockies with a one-year contract worth $4 million, which includes a base salary of $3.25 million and an opportunity to earn up to $750,000 in performance-based bonuses. The contract, announced on January 9, also features a mutual option for 2026 valued at $7 million, alongside a $750,000 buyout.

During the previous season, Estrada played primarily as a second baseman for the San Francisco Giants, finishing the year with a batting average of .217, nine home runs, and 47 RBIs. Following a demotion to Triple-A, he opted for free agency due to his tenure in Major League Baseball. Over six seasons, he has compiled a .251 batting average, with 48 home runs and 195 RBIs across 469 games.