Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | June 5, 2024
In a season full of painful losses, Wednesday’s bullpen implosion might have been the worst the Rockies have suffered thus far in 2024.
Game Story
The Rockies offense had been MIA for quite some time. In their previous five games, Colorado had scored nine runs total (1.8 runs per game). On Wednesday, the Rockies benefitted from an offensive outburst in the first inning, as they scored four runs in the opening frame of the ballgame.
Colorado began their afternoon by ambushing Cincinnati starter Graham Ashcraft with three consecutive singles leading off the game. After an Elias Díaz RBI groundout, Brendan Rodgers laced a single to right field and brought home two runs in the process. Two batters later, Elehuris Montero singled, scoring Rodgers and giving the Rockies a 4-0 1st inning advantage.
Unfortunately, the Rockies advantage would only last so long, as the Reds used a pair of homers to get back in the game. Cincinnati cut the deficit in half in the 3rd on a Jeimer Candelario two-run homer, and drew even with a TJ Friedl two-run homer in the 5th. Two more singles allowed by Rockies starter Dakota Hudson ended his day. Hudson’s final line: 4.1 innings, 4 earned runs, 5 hits, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts.
Colorado responded in the bottom of the 5th with a solo homer from Elias Díaz. His fifth of the season traveled 365 feet on it’s way over the left field wall, and it gave the Rockies a 5-4 lead.
In the 7th, Colorado capitalized on a leadoff double from Charlie Blackmon, followed by a single from Ezequiel Tovar. With runners on the corners and nobody out, the Rockies tacked on two insurance runs via an Elias Díaz RBI single and a Brendan Rodgers sacrifice fly.
The 7-4 Colorado advantage was trimmed to 7-6 when Cincinnati answered right back with two runs of their own in the top of the 8th. Rockies reliever Tyler Kinley walked the leadoff man, who scored on a Jacob Hurtubise triple. Hurtubuise would later score on a Jonathan India sacrifice fly.
In the 9th, Bud Black brought in Jalen Beeks to secure the save and avoid the sweep. Unfortunately, the opposite happened.
After a leadoff HBP, Beeks retired the next two hitters in Elly De La Cruz and Jeimer Candelario, securing outs 25 and 26 of the ballgame. Then, Spencer Steer stepped to the plate and demolished an 0-1 fastball 439 feet into the left field bleachers. The Reds had snatched the lead, 8-7, down to their final out.
Cincinnati was not done. Jake Fraley followed the Steer bomb with a single, and Tyler Stephenson and Blake Dunn also reached against Beeks. Bud Black then replaced Beeks with rookie reliever Angel Chivilli, who was tasked with facing Jonathan India with the bases loaded. The result? India hammered a grand slam to left field, breaking the game open and giving Cincinnati a 12-7 advantage, which ultimately became the final score.
Quotes
Manager Bud Black on the bullpen: “It’s tough. Guys are relishing the opportunity to pitch late in the game… That’s where they get their juice and [Jalen] Beeks has been around for awhile. He wants those innings… Our guys are built the right way. They’re prepared.”
Bud Black on Sean Bouchard: “He turned his ankle. I haven’t checked, but it didn’t look good. I’m not going to speculate whether it was just a traditional sprained ankle… I’ll find him.” (It was later revealed that Sean Bouchard has a right ankle sprain.)
Bud Black on Kris Bryant: “Kris didn’t really respond to treatment today. It looks like it’s going to be more than a few more days… It’s looking like we’re going to put him on the injured list, and let this settle down and hopefully come back in the 10-day period… It’s Kris’ hope to stay healthy and to play and stay on the field… And there’s frustration because Kris wants to play.”
Notes
The Rockies are now on a five-game losing streak, as they were swept by the Cincinnati Reds. This marks the first time the Rockies have been swept since the Braves swept them in August of 2023. It was also the first time the Reds have swept the Rockies at Coors Field since 2012.
Wednesday’s late collapse was the second time this season they allowed six runs in the ninth inning, with the other time coming 11 days ago against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Charlie Blackmon recorded his fifth three-hit game of the season. He his hitting .415 in his last 11 games at Coors Field.
What’s Next for the Colorado Rockies?
On Thursday, the Rockies embark on a seven-game roadtrip, beginning with four in St. Louis against the Cardinals. In Game 1 of the weekend series, probable starters are RHP Cal Quantrill (4-4, 3.84 ERA) for Colorado and RHP Sonny Gray (7-3, 3.00 ERA) for St. Louis. First pitch is scheduled for 5:45 MT.
Story by Noah Spirek
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