WATCH: Rockies icon Matt Holliday throws out first pitch to Orioles rising star son Jackson Holliday at Coors Field
Jackson Holliday and the Baltimore Orioles took the field at Coors Field for the second game of their series against the Colorado Rockies after winning the opener 5-3. The Saturday night game began with Rockies legend Matt Holliday as the guest of honor.
The seven-time All-Star, wearing his No. 5 Rockies jersey, set the stage for the game by throwing the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Orioles star rookie Jackson Holliday.
After completing the tradition, the father-son duo was seen hugging before posing with their family for a photo.
The Colorado Rockies started the game with a 3-0 lead in the second inning after Brendan Rodgers’ RBI single and Drew Romo’s two-run double.
The Baltimore Orioles countered in the fourth inning with Anthony Santander’s 437-foot homer, scoring two runs. The Rockies extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth with Charlie Blackmon’s two-run triple.
The Orioles tied the score at 5-5 in the fifth inning. Eloy Jimenez’s 441-foot homer brought in a run, followed by Ryan O'Hearn’s single that allowed Ramon Urias and Jackson Holliday to score. But the Rockies reclaimed a 7-5 lead thanks to two runs in the eighth inning.
So far in the game, Holliday has recorded one hit in three at-bats, along with one run and one strikeout. He has played 38 games for the O's this 2024 season, in which he is hitting .176 with five homers and 20 RBIs.
Jackson Holliday opens up about playing at Coors Field in the presence of his family
Jackson Holliday's family, including his father, mother Leslee, and younger brother Ethan, traveled to Colorado to attend the three-game series between the Baltimore Orioles and the Rockies.
Discussing playing at Coors Field, where his father spent a significant part of his career, Jackson Holliday said (via AP News):
“It’s very special. It’s kind of hard to explain growing up watching my dad play here for so long. I’m glad to be able to be here at the end of the year, and just excited to have a bunch of family and friends.”
Matt Holliday started his Major League Baseball career with the Colorado Rockies in 2004 and played there until the end of the 2008 season.
After playing for other teams, including the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Yankees, he returned to the Rockies late in the 2018 season, which was his last year as a professional player.