Rockies allow innings, game to get away in blowout loss to Reds

One of the nagging things that frustrates me as a fan when the Rockies lose is their seeming constant inability to nab the last out in an inning, the last strike in an at bat, the last defensive stop needed before a situation cascades from bad to worst. Tonight provided several examples from the start. A better defensive third baseman than Jordan Pacheco would have made a solid throw on the first defensive play, but almost as troubling to me was his missed stop on the Brandon Phillips double later in the inning. A better pitcher than Jeremy Guthrie could have let the rookie's defense slide off without much damage and get out of the inning before giving up a three run blast to Chris Heisey.

Guthrie wound up giving many big hits to the Reds, seven for extra bases to be exact, including two home runs and five doubles. When he was finished after five innings, the Rockies weren't in the big hit allowed department, as Matt Reynolds gave up one more two out, three run blast to Ryan Ludwick after Esmil Rogers left him in a high pressure spot. Rogers got pulled after not being able to successfully finish a long Brandon Phillips at bat despite getting ahead 0-2.

Offensively, Pacheco made an admirable attempt at making up for his defensive failings by collecting three hits. Other supporting members of the lineup also were contributors, but the Rockies big run producing bats, Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki only went one for eight on the night. They should be mostly forgiven tonight for that, as with a 10-3 score, this loss was clearly on Guthrie and the rest of the pitching staff's inability to come through when needed.

Tomorrow the series wraps up with a rubber game featuring Jamie Moyer and a day game after a night game line-up that will lose Todd Helton but likely regain Wilin Rosario.