Fan Perspective: Colorado Rockies Drop Finale In Extras

Oct 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) signs autographs following the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) signs autographs following the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

German Marquez proved that he can be a part of the Colorado Rockies‘ future as Colorado lost to Milwaukee 6-4 in the final game of the season.

I think a lot of people who might otherwise have been at Coors Field today were home watching the Broncos, because it was a bit of a paltry crowd for game 162. It probably didn’t help that, once again, the Rockies are headed home after this rather than on to the playoffs. But it was still a beautiful day at the ballpark. Plus, if you were watching, you probably got a glimpse of some reasons why we can be excited about the future of this team.

Marquez, in his third start of the season, looked very sharp. He struck out seven over the course of six innings, while walking one and allowing only two runs to score.

The second inning was his only rough one. It began with a hit batsman and continued when Orlando Arcia hit a fly ball to center that Charlie Blackmon misjudged and then lost in the sun. That issue with the sun scored the runner. Arcia then stole third and scored on a groundout. This briefly tied the game, but Marquez kept the Brewers from ever taking the lead.

Blackmon did his share on offense to make sure that the Rockies would stay in the game. He connected for his 10th leadoff and 29th overall home run in the first inning and then followed that up with two doubles and another RBI. The third run was driven in by Jordan Patterson on his first career extra-base hit, a double that scored Tom Murphy.

The bullpen tried to do its part to hold the lead for Marquez. Matt Carasiti came on in the seventh and pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts. But then Carlos Estevez, who cannot seem to figure out high-leverage situations for anything, came on in the eighth and recorded two outs while also giving up a two-run home run to Chris Carter and putting two more runners on for Justin Miller to take care of. Luckily, Miller struck out Manny Piña looking to end the inning.

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The Rockies refused to go quietly in the ninth. Nolan Arenado singled to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored the tying run on Patterson’s single. Alas, an otherwise terrific Chris Rusin allowed a home run to the hitless Andrew Susac, and the home team was once again in a must-score situation. This time they failed, and they lost the game and the series.

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Still, it’s exciting to think what else Marquez might be capable of. And we’ve got a batting champ on our hands. DJ LeMahieu sat out again and thus ensured that his .348 average would take the title.

See you next year Rockies fans!

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