Rockies drop eighth in a row, have worst MLB record after 20 games since 2002

Rockies Report, Game 20:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: After an eight-run-inning that was part of an offensive explosion Saturday, Colorado’s offense returned to the freezer in the opener of a doubleheader, generating just five baserunners in falling 3-2 to the Washington Nationals, sealing a seventh-consecutive series loss to open the season.

The loss, the Rockies’ eighth in succession, dropped them to 3-17, the worst record for any Major League Baseball team through 20 games since 2002.

Two rookies contributed their first major-league home runs: right fielder Zac Veen with a third-inning shot and catcher Braxton Fulford with a sixth-inning blast, both off Jake Irvin. But Irvin kept the baserunners down; both were solo dingers.

THERE GOES THAT MAN pic.twitter.com/ks44pGUHnr

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 20, 2025

The blasts were the extent of the Rox output for the afternoon.

Fulford’s first homer was also his initial MLB hit, and put some sweetness on a day that was rough behind the plate, as he had three throwing errors. It was Colorado’s second game with three errors this season; they had just three such games all last year.

First big league hit?

FIRST BIG LEAGUE HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/twqe4qphBq

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 20, 2025

Colorado’s bullpen also was dealt a blow when Victor Vodnik landed on the injured list due to right-shoulder inflammation. Zach Agnos, a potential closer of the future, was called up from AAA Albuquerque to take his spot.

STARTER’S REPORT: Kyle Freeland encountered an old nemesis — a blister — and lasted just two frustrating innings before leaving.
The blister formed on the middle finger of his left hand. Signs of it were evident a few days earlier, manager Bud Black said in his postgame press conference.

“It was a little tenuous going in,” Black said.

“The blood blister formed. … I felt if he kept going, it compromised the ensuing starts. Didn’t want to beat it up more than he needed to.”

Washington tagged him for three runs on three hits and a walk, but just one of the runs was earned, as defensive issues exacerbated matters. Fulford misfired on a pair of throws up the first- and third-base lines, leading to a pair of second-inning runs. Angel Chivilli relieved Freeland and delivered three scoreless innings; the rest of the bullpen added another three innings of zeroes on the board as it continues to improve after a shaky start to the season.

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: Nick Martini failed to advance Ryan McMahon from third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, grounding out to first base as the Rockies fell by one run for a third consecutive game. The Rockies are now 1-4 in one-run games this season.

ROCKIES NUMBER TO NOTE: 224 – Strikeouts for Colorado through 20 games, the most by any MLB team through 20 games in the modern era.

ROCKIES UNIFORM: Black hat with purple bill, white pinstriped jersey, white pinstriped pants. Colorado is 2-5 this season in this look.

WHAT’S NEXT: Antonio Senzatela starts the nightcap as the Rockies attempt to salvage one win from the series before heading to Kansas City. The first pitch comes at 6:10 p.m. MDT.

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