Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 4: It was good until it wasn’t

The Colorado Rockies lose yet another road series and yet another game, falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-4. The Rockies still sit in the basement of the NL West — the only team in the division under .500 — and have the second-worst record in the league at 10-18. They have yet to win a series on the road, and have won just two road games so far this season.

Raimel Tapia’s hit parade continues

Raimel Tapia said at the beginning of the season his goal was to win the batting title. It’s too early to tell if he will, but he has grown into one of the Rockies’ most consistent and reliable hitters. After a four-hit game last night, El Cangrejo was 3-for-5 today with an RBI out of the leadoff spot and is now hitting .320 on the season. He’s also starting to put his speed to use, with two stolen bases this afternoon for three total so far.

Failure to capitalize will haunt the Rockies

The Rockies had 12 hits this afternoon, but scored only four runs. Solid hitting performances from Matt Adams (2-for-5), Elias Diáz (2-for-5), and Trevor Story (1-for-3 with a home run), as well as Ryan McMahon drawing two walks, were mostly just wasted. The Rockies left 14 runners stranded while going an ugly 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Trevor Story exits the ballgame early

Trevor Story was putting together another good game at the plate today, going 1-for-3 with a walk and slugging a two-run home run in the third inning to put the Rockies on the board. Unfortunately, he was pulled from the game early and will be day-to-day after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand during the eighth inning. Bud Black confirmed in his postgame presser that the X-rays came back negative, saying “I think we dodged a bullet there.”

The Bard falters on stage

After the Rockies pulled up to tie the game 4-4 in the top of the eighth inning, Daniel Bard was called upon for the bottom of the frame to keep things tied. He had not pitched since April 27th, and had only pitched twice in the last 12 games. The rust showed.

Bard had difficulties with his fastball command, but his velocity was fine. He walked the first batter he faced, and then gave up four consecutive hits with one out—three of which were for extra bases. Bard gave up the Diamondbacks’ death blow, giving up four hits and four runs, leading to the final score of 8-4. Bard suggested in the postgame presser that he was either tipping his pitches or the Diamondbacks were potentially stealing signs, in reference to Jon Gray’s start on Friday where the snakes were all over Gray with first pitch hits.

Coming up next

The Rockies jet home to start a three-game home series against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. Germán Márquez will take the mound for the Rockies against Giants righty Aaron Sanchez. First pitch is at 6:40 PM MDT.