Game 1: Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 0
After an extra-inning win in San Francisco on Thursday, the Rockies offense was sluggish against the Diamondbacks. Zac Gallen had their number, instigating two double plays (both to Ryan McMahon) and striking out a career-high 10 batters.
With the loss, the Rockies were officially eliminated from postseason contention.
Not very senza-tional this time
Antonio Senzatela struggled a little bit on the mound today, allowing four runs on eight hits in just 4 1⁄3 innings. The third inning in particular was rough. He started with a strikeout to Carson Kelly, but then allowed a single to Daulton Varsho. Ketel Marte popped to first, but the next three batters proved to be trouble for Senza. Christian Walker hit a 446-foot bomb to left to get the Snakes on the board 2-0. Kole Calhoun walked, and then was knocked in by Eduardo Escobar’s RBI triple to make it 3-0. David Peralta lined out to end the inning, but the Rockies never recovered.
The fifth inning also proved challenging for Senza, Ketel Marte led off with a sharp single and Christian Walker reached first on an error by Ryan McMahon. Marte was able to advance to third on the error and then Walker stole second. Calhoun walked to load the bases, which luckily set up a force at home and the Rockies were able to get Marte at home on a 4-2 fielder’s choice by Escobar. Peralta hit an RBI single to score Walker and give the D-backs a 4-0 lead, and that was the end of the night for Senzatela. His final line was 4 1⁄3 innings, 8 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR.
AWOL offense
The Rockies offense was nowhere to be seen in Game 1. They mustered six hits — three by Raimel Tapia, who was probably the lone bright spot of this game— but none came around to score. The Rockies went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. They also drew three walks — one by Josh Fuentes, one by Matt Kemp (who was later ejected in the fourth for arguing balls and strikes), and one by Garrett Hampson. But again, none of them came around to score.
The two worst offenders in Game 1 were Trevor Story and Ryan McMahon. Story struck out three times in three tries, and McMahon grounded out into back-to-back double plays. The Rockies struck out a total of 11 times, and the only players not to strike out were Tapia, Fuentes, and McMahon.
Game 2: Diamondbacks 11, Rockies 5
Not surprisingly, just less than an hour after being eliminated from the playoffs, the Rockies did not show up in Game 2 of today’s doubleheader in Phoenix. The Arizona Diamondbacks had a huge game at the plate, putting six on the board in the first inning and then going up 9-4 in the third on a three-run home run by recent acquisition Josh Van Meter. Taylor Clarke got the win for the D-Backs as they added insult to injury and swept the doubleheader.
Chased in the first
Antonio Santos got an opportunity to start and it was one he’ll want to forget. Santos allowed the first five hitters to reach base on three singles, a hit by pitch, and a walk before recording an out. Stephen Vogt followed with an RBI single and then Wyatt Mathisen drew a walk before Santos was able to get the second out of the inning by striking out John Jay. Tim Locastro then knocked his second base hit of the inning before Bud Black replaced him with Jeff Hoffman. It was a sad first start, but hopefully will provide Santos with some motivation to work through some things in the off-season.
More pitching woes
For the first half of the season, the Rockies’ pitching was very good. The staff, however, is in a tailspin. With the exception of Daniel Bard, who has been “lights out”, the bullpen has failed to find success. Jeff Hoffman followed Santos and cruised through his first 1 ⅓ innings before running into trouble in the third and eventually surrendering the home run to Van Meter. Jesus Tinoco then took the mound and struggled to find the strike zone, registering 12 strikes out of 27 total pitches. AJ Ramos was next up and after retiring the first two batters he faced gave up a home run to Pavin Smith, the first of his young career.
A bright spot was when Tommy Doyle came in to pitch the sixth and got through the inning unscathed. He would be the only Rockies’ pitcher to not allow a run in the game.
Pillar wants a contract
With the season near its end, it’s only natural to look ahead to what 2021 holds in store. Kevin Pillar has played well since being traded to the Rockies on August 31, and his success at the plate continued tonight where he went 3-for-4 with 2 2B, one of which cleared the bases and knocked in three runs. It’s not a stretch to think that the Rockies front office may look to bring Pillar back in 2021. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Up Next
The Rockies will take on the Diamondbacks tomorrow for their second to last game of the season. Luke Weaver (1-8, 6.51 ERA) will face German Marquez (3-6, 4.10 ERA).