The Rockies knew what they were up against, facing the Dodgers, the reigning world series champion, and Clayton Kershaw, the three-time National League Cy Young winner, on opening day. 

It didn’t help that they had to do it without Nolan Arenado, who was traded to the Cardinals in a major offseason shakeup. But the Rockies held their own, defeating the Dodgers 8-5. 

“I think guys are just grinders here.” Chris Owings said. “Love the game and want to be out there. I think Buddy has preached that since Day 1 of spring training, just go out there, play hard and have fun. I think you saw that today.”

Unlikely standouts propelled the Rockies on Thursday. There was Owings, who found out last night that he would get the start at second instead of Ryan McMahon. Manager Bud Black gave Owings the coveted opening day slot because he thought Owings, a right-handed batter, would do better against the left-handed Kershaw. 

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Black’s instinct paid off — Owings went 3-3 at the plate and had an RBI, in addition to coming up with a double play on defense. He also had two stolen bases. 

“He’s an athletic player,” Black said about the double play. “You see those types of plays from athletes. It’s very instinctual. You let the athlete take over. What a play. That’s a highlight reel.”

There was also Josh Fuentes, who looks so much like his cousin Arenado that his teammates sometimes have to do a double take. He also proved that he can play like Arenado, making two double plays and getting a hit and RBI. 

Veterans Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story also did their part. Blackmon scored for the Rockies in the sixth inning, and Story had two hits. 

Rockies starting pitcher Germán Márquez, who struggled in spring training with his fastball command, had some trouble early on. But the Rockies got lucky — a ball sent over the centerfield line from Cody Bellinger was counted as an RBI single instead of a home run. Justin Turner thought that Raimel Tapia had caught the ball, and ran back to first base. Bellinger then passed him and was called out, so the Dodgers were credited with just one run instead of two.

“That was something I’ve never seen before,” Story said. “At first I thought Tapia robbed it and I was excited about that. Then I looked around and saw Bellinger running past Turner. I knew someone had to be out. Almost a really great play by Tapia, a very bizarre play”

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Márquez had to throw 92 pitches to get through four innings, but escaped with allowing just one run. Like in spring training, the breaking ball was there but Márquez struggled with his fastball command. 

“Germán was not sharp with the fastball,” Black said. “He was just a little bit off. I don’t know if it was mechanics, whether he was overthrowing the ball or trying to do too much with his pitches, but he battled.”

Chi Chi Gonzalez didn’t look sharp either, allowing five hits and two runs in two innings pitched. Daniel Bard, the 2020 National League comeback player of the year, also had trouble. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the ninth, but Bard got the Rockies out of the bind. It was Owings who grabbed the last out, capping off what he said was the best of his six opening days. 

“What an opening day duel,” Black said. “It was good to see Daniel get through that. If he’s our guys, which he’s going to be, there are going to be games like that that where he has to wiggle out of it and not give it up.”