The Rockies outhit the Diamondbacks 11-8 and certainly had their chances to score, but couldn’t capitalize in the 4-2 loss to Arizona at Coors Field on Tuesday. Madison Bumgarner gave up nine of those hits over seven innings, but only let one runner score while registering six strikeouts. The Rockies had a two-game winning streak entering the game, but instead opened up the six-game homestand and three-game series with a loss, dropping to 27-39 to further settle into last place in the NL West.
Double play buzzkills
In momentum-shattering and fan-frustrating fashion, the Rockies hit into four double plays in the game. They came in consecutive innings — the fourth, fifth, six, and seventh — to squash any comeback possibilities. In the fourth, Elias Díaz and Josh Fuentes started things off with back-to-back base hits, but Germán Márquez bunted into a double play to end the inning. Trevor Story led things off with a single in the fifth, but Chris Owings removed him from the bases by hitting into a double play. Nolan Arenado singled in the sixth, only to be thrown out on a fielder’s choice grounder by Ian Desmond, who was then thrown out when Díaz hit into a double play in the next at bat. In the seventh, Hampson got a bunt single, only to be sent to the dugout when a pinch-hitting David Dahl instigated another double play.
More missed chances
Charlie Blackmon hit an RBI single in the third to score Story for the Rockies first run. The Rockies scored again in the eighth when Owings, Blackmon, and Arenado all walked back-to-back-to-back. Ian Desmond then also drew an RBI walk, cutting Arizona’s led to 4-2 with only one out. Then Díaz and Fuentes both struck out to end the inning. In the ninth inning, Garrett Hampson led off with an infield single. Daniel Murphy then struck out, but then Story singled (his third hit of the day) and Hampson advanced to third base. Owings followed with another strikeout and Blackmon ended the game with a pop up just behind home plate in foul territory.
Márquez stuck in repeat
Márquez has made three starts since returning from his demotion stint in Triple-A. In all three games, he has pitched five innings and gave up three runs. He’s only won one of those games, a 7-3 win on May 29 against the Giants. Márquez dropped to 4-6 on the year after giving up six hits, three runs, and one walk while striking out five. Jeff Hoffman gave up one run over the next two innings when Starling Marte doubled and then scored on sac fly. Carlos Estévez and James Pazos closed out the eighth and ninth innings without surrendering any more runs.
Sim world is a weird world
Sam Hilliard came into pitch run for Arenado in the eighth inning when the Rockies loaded the bases with only one out. Hilliard took over for Arenado at second base and didn’t get a chance to use his running skills as the Rockies ended the inning without another threat. The pitch running call isn’t that unusual. But then in the top of the ninth, Hilliard stayed in the game to play third base for Arenado. The Rockies were only down 4-2. It wasn’t over. Two swings could tie it up. It was an odd choice for Sim Bud Black to put Hilliard, an outfielder who’s never played third baseball in his professional baseball career, which started in 2015, especially when Ryan McMahon, who has a plethora of experience at third base, was on the bench. After one out, Black then put McMahon in at third base as a mid-inning fielding chance. So that’s different. Another tally in the odd category in the game was that sure-handed shortstop Trevor Story made two fielding errors. It could happen, but it would be weird.
Game video
If you want to watch the game with play-by-play from Purple Row’s Ben Kouchnerkavich, check it out here.
Up next
The Rockies and Diamondbacks will return to Coors Field for game two of the series on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. Kyle Freeland (3-4, 2.87) will get the start for the Rockies against Arizona’s Zac Gallen (0-3, 3.49).