The Colorado Rockies had every chance to get their third straight win Monday, facing the guy that used to be Jordan Zimmermann and the worst bullpen in the AL in their return to Coors Field, they even managed 13 hits, but only managed to score three runs which was not enough in a 4-3 loss.
Colorado’s struggles with runners in scoring position continued, as they went 1-for-7 in those situations and left 11 on base in a game in which they faced pitchers with ERAs above six for 6 1⁄3 innings.
The biggest missed opportunity came in the sixth, when the Rockies loaded the bases with one out for Nolan Arenado, who struck out on a slider from Tigers reliever Warwich Saupold that was nowhere near the strike zone. After a pitching change, Gerardo Parra struck out against Daniel Strumpf to end the inning. The Rockies struck out eight times in total in the game, with seven of those coming from the top five batters in the order.
The only runs the Rockies got came in the second against Zimmermann when Jonathan Lucroy hit a two-run home run, his first as a Rockie, and Charlie Blackmon singled home Trevor Story, who had doubled.
Monday’s game marked the 14th time in the last 21 games that the Rockies have scored three runs or fewer, with nine of those games coming at home.
The Rockies have a chance to get back on track tomorrow with Germán Márquez on the mound against Michael Fulmer.