:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50326615/GettyImages-587559802.0.jpg)
Colorado Rockies closer Carlos Estevez blew his second consecutive save opportunity by surrendering three runs on two hits and a walk en route to taking the loss in his club's 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Texas Rangers on Monday at Coors Field.
Estevez, who cost the Rockies a golden opportunity against the Miami Marlins last Friday with a four-run ninth, lacked command again in his rebound effort opposite another possible playoff-bound team. The rookie right-hander entered the game with a 3-1 lead and proceeded to throw just five of 13 pitches for strikes -- and allowed the tying runs to score -- prior being removed in favor of lefty specialist Boone Logan.
Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland came through left-on-left against Logan, doubling down the right field line to plate the go-ahead run and send the spiraling Rockies to a fourth loss in their last five games.
The poor bullpen work spoiled another strong outing by rookie lefty Tyler Anderson, who allowed a run on just two hits in seven innings. Anderson issued three walks and gave up a homer to Adrian Beltre, but his ERA sits at a sparkling 3.04 after his eighth quality start in 11 chances.
Nolan Arenado stayed hot for the Rockies, following his two-homer, seven-RBI performance on Sunday with another homer and a pair of runs -- including an insurance tally in the bottom of the eighth -- knocked in.
The Rockies couldn't muster more offense when it mattered in the ninth, though. David Dahl, who entered the contest as a defensive replacement, led off the inning with a single to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. But Nick Hundley, who began his at-bat by attempting to bunt Dahl to second with the light-hitting Cristhian Adames on deck, eventually struck out and Adames followed by grounding into a game-ending double play.
The gut-wrenching loss dropped the Rockies to 55-57. Fortunately, Colorado remains four games out of the second Wild Card spot as a result of the Marlins' loss to the San Francisco Giants.