Colorado Rockies Once Again Fall Just Short in Loss

It was yet another case of “oh so close” for the Colorado Rockies on Monday night at Coors Field.

In what has become a maddening theme of late, the Rockies couldn’t get the key hit or pitch when needed. Chalk up another close loss for Colorado with a 5-4 defeat to the Washington Nationals to start a six-game homestand.

The Rockies are now 8-17 in one-run games this season and lost for the 33rd time this season when leading. It’s becoming a haunting soundtrack of a season that’s heading south in a hurry.

There were a lot of positives on Monday night. Colorado chased Washington starter Max Scherzer after just four innings, marking his shortest outing of the season. Charlie Blackmon hit yet another home run. DJ LeMahieu went 4-for-4 for his fourth four-hit game of his career (and third this season). David Dahl recorded a single to notch his 20th hit in his first 21 games. Adam Ottavino recorded another scoreless inning, establishing a new franchise record by not allowing a run in 34 consecutive games.

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There were a lot of positives for the Rockies on Monday night. The biggest negative once again, however, was the other team winning the game.

“We’re battling,” LeMahieu told reporters after the game. “We’re giving everything we’ve got every night. We’re just coming up short and I think that’s the most frustrating part, is that we are battling so hard and we don’t have a whole lot to show for it these last couple weeks.”

The seventh inning was the key for both teams on Monday night. Washington got the big hits when needed. The Rockies couldn’t stop them from doing it or answer when needed in the bottom of the frame.

With Jordan Lyles on the mound, Trea Turner singled to open the Washington seventh, then stole second. Boone Logan came in and gave up a double to Bryce Harper to account for Washington’s go-ahead run.

Colorado tried to answer. LeMahieu and Carlos Gonzalez recorded one-out singles in the bottom of the seventh to bring Nolan Arenado to the plate. However, on the first pitch from Washington reliever Blake Treinen, Arenado grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Colorado is now 2-10 over its last 12 games. Last night was a microcosm of that run. Another hit here or another pitch there and the Rockies take all of the good things mentioned earlier and turn them into a win.

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But that’s the difference between teams trying to get into the postseason and teams who are destined for it. There’s no doubt that Colorado isn’t far from getting there. However, the margin between good enough and almost there is a vast chasm. The Rockies are learning that lesson in a painful way this season.