Rockies blasted in Arizona as old friend Arenado launches first-inning grand slam

Rockies Report, Game 119:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: Nolan Arenado clobbered a Gabriel Hughes fastball 382 feet into the Arizona bullpen in the left-field corner for a first-inning grand slam, setting the Diamondbacks on course for a 9-0 rout of the Rockies at Chase Field on Monday night.

The ex-Colorado third baseman was the fourth-consecutive Diamondbacks batter to reach base with two outs in the first at the expense of Colorado rookie starter Gabriel Hughes, who allowed a triple to Gabriel Moreno, plunked Ketel Marte and walked recent trade acquisition Lars Nootbaar before giving up the slam to Arenado.

We think we've seen this film before, and we really liked the ending. pic.twitter.com/n2VDxYZj8W

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 11, 2026

That was more than enough for the Diamondbacks, who accomplished little against Arizona starter Michael Soroka — who worked 4 1/3 innings — and the Diamondbacks bullpen. The Rockies walked five times and had five hits, but that led to just two opportunities with runners in scoring position — both of which failed. Only once did the Rockies advance a baserunner to third base in the game.

The Rockies fell to 46-73.

ROCKIES STARTER’S REPORT

In the first two innings, Hughes issued three walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch as he struggled with control in what proved to be his roughest start since being promoted to the major-league level.

“He just lost command. Lost command with the fastball, lost command with the breaking ball,” manager Warren Schaeffer told media.

Schaeffer added that he felt Hughes regained command in the third and fourth innings, but by then, the damage was done. Ultimately, he lasted four innings and 88 pitches. All seven runs at his expense were earned.

BITS AND PIECES

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: TJ Rumfield was thrown out at first base for an 8-6-3 double play after Hunter Goodman’s sixth-inning lineout. Rumfield had already gone past second base when Arizona center fielder Ryan Waldschmidt ran down Goodman’s drive at the center-field wall. A Colorado challenge failed.

NUMBER TO NOTE: 1.36 — Amount by which Hughes’ ERA increased after allowing seven runs over four innings Monday.

WHAT’S NEXT: Tomoyuki Sugano and Mitch Bratt are the pitchers slated to work Tuesday night’s game, which begins in Phoenix at 7:40 p.m. MDT.

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