Colorado Rockies: 3 things we learned from the Reds sweep

The Colorado Rockies bounced back from the four-game road sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies with a three-game sweep of their own over the Cincinnati Reds in their return to Coors Field this past weekend. The sweep raises Colorado’s overall record to 13-9 heading into Monday’s off day.

Here are three things we learned after the Colorado Rockies secured a sweep against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds are really bad

There is no such thing as a “must-sweep” series in Major League Baseball … but this series was as close as it comes because the Reds are just that bad.

Their offense is anemic, the bullpen is just as horrible, and Joey Votto is struggling and unable at his age to make up for all of the Reds’ deficiencies. The sweep drops Cincinnati’s record to 3-19 and a sub-50 win season is absolutely on the table. The Colorado Rockies did exactly what they needed to do by disposing an inferior opponent.

Quality starts from the Rox rotation

A quality start is defined as six innings pitched allowing three runs or less. Every Rockies’ starter did exactly that.

On Friday night, Antonio Senzatela went 6.1 innings, allowing one run on seven hits in the 10-4 victory. Chad Kuhl improved his record to 3-0 on the season, going 7.1 innings allowing three runs in the 4-3 win Saturday. Finally, on Sunday, Kyle Freeland rode the early run support to finish off the three-game sweep in the 10-1 drubbing. Freeland allowed one run on four hits over seven solid innings of work earning his first win of the season.

The pitching also received some help from the defense. Throughout the series, the Rockies turned seven double plays and committed zero errors. That is a far cry from the seven errors during the four-game series in Philadelphia.

McMahon was clutch when it mattered

It has been a slow start for Ryan McMahon, but he really came through when the Rockies needed it. He hit a modest 3-for-11 in the series, but his three-run home run in fifth inning broke open a 1-1 tie Friday night, and then his two-run triple on Saturday put the Rockies in the lead for good.

RyMac is slashing .247/.360/.438 with a pair of home runs, 13 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 73 at-bats. That’s not good for someone in the heart of the lineup, but the Rockies will live with it as long as the hits come when it matters most.

Up next

The Washington Nationals come to Coors Field for a three-game set starting on Tuesday. Probable starters for game one are Erick Fedde (1-2, 6.00 ERA) and Germán Márquez (0-1, 5.57 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. (Mountain time).