Going into the ninth inning of Friday night’s game, the Rockies led the Padres 11-5. They lost the game 16-12. I’m no brain surgeon, but that seems really, really bad. Mike Dunn entered the game for the Rockies and promptly allowed three singles and a three-run home run to Hunter Renfroe, forcing Wade Davis into the game, where he promptly blew the save. Since the start of 2018, Mike Dunn has an 8.05 ERA in 34 2/3 innings. The Rockies have payed him $14 million dollars over that stretch. To me, the simple writer, that seems like a poor allocation of funds and a roster spot.
However, it was not just Dunn or Davis that was responsible for the bullpen collapse. As a group, Rockies relievers pitched seven innings, allowing 15 runs, all earned, on 18 hits with four walks, eight strikeouts and three home runs allowed. That’s unacceptable in every sense of the word. It negated a strong performance from starter Jeff Hoffman, who held the Padres to a run on three hits in five innings of work, as well as a 12-run performance from the offense, who played most of the game without Nolan Arenado.
Bae-vid Dahl
David Dahl has been a key aspect of the Rockies offense all season, and got them going again today with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third after a 12-pitch at bat:
The All-Star Game #BetterCallDahl #VoteDahl: https://t.co/1gjNd3oMlJ pic.twitter.com/jRDsX4E59y
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 15, 2019
Dahl finished the night 2-for-4 with two runs and 4 RBI, raising his batting average to .333 and his OPS to .925.
Ian Desmond: Super Sub
Ian Desmond did not enter the game until the sixth inning as part of a double switch when Bryan Shaw took over on the mound, but that did not keep him from having a big night. Desmond got to the plate just twice, but finished the night 2-for-2 with a single, two runs scored and this rather impressive three-run, inside-the-park home run:
I(an)NSIDE THE PARK HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/Pjn2Ji1K7H
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) June 15, 2019
Looking ahead
The Rockies will look to bounce back from this catastrophe tomorrow. The good news is that German Márquez is on the mound, his opponent will be Eric Lauer for San Diego. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. Mountain time.