The Colorado Rockies quest for their first three-game sweep on the road fell short on Sunday, as they dropped the final game against the Washington Nationals 3-0. The pitching staff kept the Rockies in the ballgame, but the offense was silent all afternoon. It was a disappointing way to end a successful east coast roadtrip that saw the Rockies post a 7-2 record.
That Juan Soto guy is pretty good
Heading into Sunday, part of the reason the Rockies had taken the first two games of the series was their ability to limit the damage Juan Soto could inflict. Soto was 2-for-5 in the first two games in the series, but was walked four times in those games. Unfortunately for Jon Gray, Soto finally got his chance on Sunday when he sent a hanging slider into orbit:
Juan Soto either walks 90 feet or hits the ball 454 feet.
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) September 19, 2021
Pick your poison, pitchers. pic.twitter.com/HMulsBL8JZ
Jon Gray solid in a short outing
Despite surrendering the Soto bomb, Jon Gray managed to strike out five Washington batters and allow only three hits and two earned runs in his start. Unfortunately, that line was spanned just four innings pitched. After surrendering runs in the first and third innings, and the Rockies’ offense unable to generate opportunities against Paolo Espino, Gray was lifted in the top of the fifth inning for pinch-hitter Rio Ruiz. Ruiz would roll over a curveball with two runners on, ending the threat and keeping the Rockies scoreless through five innings at-bat.
Jon Gray allowed two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts in four innings pic.twitter.com/Y6juboMzye
— RoxGifsVids (@RoxGifsVids) September 19, 2021
Offended offensively
The Road Rockies we’ve been accustomed to seeing this season reared their head for the first time this road trip. After putting up 44 runs in their previous eight road games, the lineup was held silent in this one despite having multiple opportunties to plate a run. The Ruiz ground-out in the fifth was followed by a Ryan McMahon flyout with the bases loaded in sixth. Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story reached base in the eighth, setting up a second and third situation with two outs before C.J. Cron struck out to end the threat.
Despite getting a lead-off walk from McMahon to begin the ninth, the Rockies would go down quietly once again in the final frame after Raimel Tapia grounded into the lone double-play of the game for the final outs. Colorado managed five hits and five walks in the ballgame, but struck out 12 times and left 13 runners on base. The result was being shutout for the 16th time this season, adding to the single-season franchise record.
Coming up next
The Rockies will have the customary travel day on Monday as they head back to Denver for their final homestand of the season. The fun begins on Tuesday, as the Rockies will host the Los Angeles Dodgers for three games that could make a major impact in the National League playoff picture. Antonio Senzatela will battle Julio Urías to kick off the series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM MDT.