A a four-game series at Coors Field against the Cincinnati Reds – the team with the worst earned run average in the National League – would have seemed like the ideal way for the Colorado Rockies to break out of their ongoing offensive slide. Instead, Colorado mustered just 14 runs over 34 innings, capped by a 6-3 loss in the finale to split the series at two games apiece.
Colorado did manage to put the bat on the ball against Cincinnati, batting .265 in the series, but left 23 runners on base over four games. In Thursday’s loss, they stranded four baserunners and hit into a pair of double plays. Reds starter Sal Romano (0-1, 4.50 ERA) allowed two runs on six hits, striking out six to earn his first Major League win. Strikeouts continued to be Colorado’s big nemesis. The Rockies struck out 11 times in the game Thursday, 40 times in the series.
Despite walking four and allowing eight hits Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood (6-10, 4.42) allowed only three runs over six innings and left the game trailing only 3-2. Chris Rusin pitched a 1-2-3 seventh, but Scott Oberg allowed a leadoff home run followed by back to back hits that would both come around to score.
The Rockies tried to get something going in the bottom of the eighth when Raimel Tapia doubled, then scored. Charlie Blackmon found his way to third base with two outs, but Carlos Gonzalez struck out to end the threat.
The series tie by Cincinnati was their first road series win or tie since May 26-28 against Philadelphia, the worst team in the National League. Colorado enters their final series before the All-Star break having gone 0-4-1 in their last five series with a 4-12 record in those games. Colorado hit just .231 over those 16 games, down from their .275 team average entering the recent slump.
The Rockies welcome the Chicago White Sox for their only trip to Colorado, beginning a three-game series on Friday. German Marquez (5-4, 4.41) will be on the mound for Colorado. Derek Holland (5-8, 4.52) is scheduled to start for Chicago. First pitch is 6:40 p.m. MDT.
