The Colorado Rockies lost to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday by a final score of 4-0. If you thought we were running out of ways to describe this woeful offense, hold on to your hat.
Yes, that Jordan Lyles
Join me as we go back to 2017 for a moment: when the Rockies mercifully parted ways with Lyles as their long reliever last season, he had a 6.94 ERA (73 ERA+). He was a disaster and the subject of many Twitter tantrums. Somehow Lyles did even worse with the Padres, posting a 9.39 ERA in five appearances.
To his credit, Lyles fought and clawed and grabbed a roster spot with the Padres in 2018. He entered his start against his former team on Tuesday with a career 5.36 ERA (career 79 ERA+). If there was one thing we knew going into today’s game, it’s that Jordan Lyles is bad. Time to get those bats on track!
Whoops. Jordan Lyles almost threw a perfect game instead. Yes, seriously, and yes, that Jordan Lyles. He had to settle for 7 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts, no walks, and just that one hit on 85 pitches. Just 85 pitches! If not for that Trevor Story flare to left field, Lyles was absolutely in line to do the thing, kids.
If “Jordan Lyles almost threw a perfect game against you” isn’t rock bottom for the offense, ugly times lie ahead.
Padres homers
Germán Márquez and Chris Rusin each allowed a two-run home run, to Eric Hosmer and Christian Villanueva, respectively. Whatever.
And now your daily Ian Desmond disappointment
The guy didn’t even start, but the one opportunity the Rockies did have came in the eighth inning. Bases loaded for Desmond, who entered as a pinch hitter. He was in a good spot, against a lefty (albeit a good one in Brad Hand) and against the Padres. To his credit, he lined one to center field. It was just right at Manuel Margot, and the end result won’t really make anybody feel better.
Looking ahead
The Rockies are off on Wednesday and headed to San Francisco for a four-game series with the Giants this weekend.