Rockies’ offense fizzles again as Senzatela fans eight in loss to Marlins
Jun 9, 2021, 6:44 AM
The Rockies had a total six base runners and struck out eight times in a predictable, 6-2 loss to the Marlins in Miami. Colorado batted .167 (5-for-30) as a team, while red-hot Charlie Blackmon provided all but the team’s entire offense with a single, a double and a walk, scoring one of the Rockies’ two runs.
“He’s using the whole field. Charlie’s doing his thing,” said manager Bud Black. Blackmon’s raised his average nearly 100 points over the last month to a season-high .274, and passed. Larry Walker for second place on the Rockies’ all-time hit list.
The lack of offense — par for the course for the Rockies on the road — didn’t help Antonio Senzatela, as Tuesday’s starter struck out eight while walking only one in six innings. Unfortunately, Senzatela also coughed up nine hits and four runs over that span, more than enough to rule out any realistic hope of a Rockies’ comeback. Carlos Estevez ensured that by surrendering four hits and two runs while retiring only one batter in relief of Senzatela.
The Rockies are now a stunning, major-league worst 4-23 (.149) on the road this season.
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NEXT UP: Rockies (24-37, 4th in NL West) at Marlins (26-34, 4th in NL East) | Wednesday, Jun. 8 at 5:10 p.m. | COL: Austin Gomber (4-5, 4.12 ERA) vs. MIA: TBD.
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NOTES
• Charlie Blackmon had two of the Rockies’ five hits on Tuesday, passing Hall-of-Famer Larry Walker for second place in team history with 1,362. Blackmon, who will turn 35 next month, is only 54 percent of the way to Todd Helton’s 2,519.
• Trevor Story may start as soon as Wednesday after leaving the May 27 game with soreness in his right arm. “He is getting really close. Closer than you think,” manager Bud Black said on Tuesday.
• Austin Gomber will start on Wednesday, trying to extend his run of excellent performances. In his last five starts, Gomber is 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA while striking out 32 and walking only three over 29 1/3 innings.
• Riley Pint, the fourth overall selection for the Rockies in the 2016 draft, has decided to retire at the age of 23. Pint, 4-20 with a 5.56 ERA over his five minor-league seasons, threw over 100 miles per hour in high school, but could never solve his control issues on the mound. Pint struck out 163 batters in 166 2/3 career innings, but walked 134 over the same span and allowed a .261 opposing batting average.
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THE FINAL WORD
“I know Trevor wants to play every day. If he feels his arm is ready for that, that’s what will happen.” — Bud Black, on injured shortstop Trevor Story, who could return as soon as Wednesday
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STARTING LINEUP
LF Raimel Tapia
CF Garrett Hampson
RF Charlie Blackmon
2B Ryan McMahon
3B Joshua Fuentes
1B Matt Adams
SS Brendan Rodgers
C Dom Nunez
SP Antonio Senzatela
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INJURY WATCH
• Matt Adams (right elbow soreness) was injured during the Jun.8 game and is expected to be placed on the 10-day IL soon.
• Jon Gray (strained right forearm) left his Jun. 4 start and was placed on the 10-day IL. A subsequent MRI showed no significant damage, and the Rockies hope that he will miss just one start.
• Jordan Sheffield (torn right lat) was injured on Jun. 3 and was placed on the 10-day IL. He is expected to miss at least two months.
• Trevor Story (arm tightness) was pulled from the second game of a doubleheader on May 27, but a follow-up MRI revealed nothing of concern. Story is eligible to return from the IL on Jun. 8.
• Ben Bowden (strained left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL on May 16. He was removed from the list and optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Jun. 1.
• Chris Owings (left thumb surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-April and will likely be out until the All-Star break.
• Scott Oberg (blood clots) had surgery prior to the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Mar. 27 and his season is in doubt.
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Shawn Drotar is the host of “The Fan Late Night with Shawn Drotar;” weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight — only on 104.3 The Fan
