Rockies fall short in the field in dropping series finale to Rays

Rockies Report, Game 3:

ROCKIES BOTTOM LINE: For the second time in three days, Colorado’s bullpen got tagged immediately after being handed the game, although some defensive lapses shared culpability in a 6-4 loss that gave the series to Tampa Bay, dropping the Rockies to 1-2.

Newcomer Mickey Moniak got Colorado’s first home run of the season with a 2-run shot in the top of the seventh inning, and Hunter Goodman handled designated-hitter duties with Jacob Stallings moving behind the plate for the day. Goodman batted cleanup in place of Kris Bryant and got the team’s first hit from the No. 4 spot this season.

STARTER’S REPORT: Ryan Feltner would have liked to have the first inning back, because once he settled down, he mowed down the Rays. In his final four innings of a five-inning appearance, Feltner yielded just one baserunner, but Tampa Bay tagged him for three extra-base hits in his first 13 pitches, including Brandon Lowe’s 2-RBI shot over the right-field fence.

IT WAS DECIDED FOR THE ROCKIES WHEN: The defense that was so brilliant Saturday broke down in the bottom of the sixth, leading to a 4-run Rays outburst that broke a 2-2 tie. The crucial issues were a throwing error by Jacob Stallings, a bad break on a deflection off second baseman Tyler Freeman and Ryan McMahon coming home with a throw that was just a nudge up the first-base line, which gave enough space for José Caballero to come home with a run off of a fielder’s choice.


ROCKIES NUMBER TO NOTE: 1.17 — The ERA posted by starters in the series. The bullpen ERA was 6.52.

ROCKIES UNIFORM: Black hat with purple bill, purple jersey, gray pants. The Rockies are 1-2 in this ensemble.

WHAT’S NEXT: Germán Márquez makes his first start of the season as Colorado heads to Philadelphia for the Phillies’ home opener on Monday afternoon. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. MDT.

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