Rockies vs. Mariners: Rox break losing streak despite another series loss

The Rundown

After being swept by the Phillies, the Rockies returned home to face the Seattle Mariners. Inclement weather pushed game one back to a Sunday doubleheader, making Saturday’s game against, perennial Cy Young contender, Luis Castillo the series opener. Dakota Hudson got the ball against Castillo, where his hot start to the season died down against the Mariners. Hudson went just four innings while giving up four runs, as walks plagued his night. Hudson was pulled for Victor Vodnik, who’s scoreless streak to open the season ended as he gave up three runs in just one inning of work.
Luis Castillo was dominant, going seven shutout innings to record his first win of the season. The Rockies bats were equally as cold as the weather, as they dropped game one by a score of 7-0.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel between control maestro George Kirby and new Rocky Cal Quantrill, as the two pitchers went inning for inning to begin the game. Quantrill was dominant, giving the Rockies six clean innings and turning in his best outing of the young season. Unfortunately for Rockies fans, the offense remained as cold as the night before, and the bullpens held up as the game went into the eighth inning tied at zero. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Jacob Stallings sent a fly ball deep toward the left field stands where a fan knocked the ball out of the air as left fielder Dylan Moore leapt at the wall. A controversial ruling determined that Stallings was out, and the game was sent into extra innings.

The Mariners plated the ghost runner in the top of the 10th, putting the pressure on the Rox offense to break their 19-inning scoreless streak. Ezeqiuel Tovar delivered, singling home Stallings to tie the game and give Ryan McMahon a chance to win the game with runners on the corners. McMahon dribbled a single into the 5-6 hole, scoring the winning run with his second walk off hit of the year, breaking the Rockies six game losing streak. 

In the night cap, former starter turned reliever Peter Lambert was given the spot start. The Rockies jumped off to a quick lead in the first, courtesy of an Elias Diaz double. Unfortunately, Lambert had a nightmare second inning, giving up six, including a bases clearing triple by J.P. Crawford. Lambert would get through the inning and pitch a clean third, but the damage was already done, and the floodgates were open for the Mariners. Emerson Hancock shut down the Rox offense and the Mariners scored four more insurance runs off Noah Davis and Jalen Beeks. The 10-4 loss in the rubber match dropped the Rockies to a record of 5-17, with only the 3-18 Chicago White Sox boasting a worse record in the young season. 

The Positives

Not much. But there are some, such as Ezequiel Tovar, who continues to impress in his sophomore campaign with four more hits in the series maintaining his .300 batting average. Elias Diaz drove in the only two runs in Sunday night’s game and had three hits on the series. Some of Elehuris Montero’s good at bats are starting to pay off, as he went 2-4 in the second game of the doubleheader. Sean Bouchard has had a hit in each of his first three games thus far. Jacob Stallings went 1-4 and had his near game-winning home run called back in the Rockies victory on Sunday. Stallings has been incredibly solid for the Rockies in his backup role, hitting .316 in 19 at bats. Jake Bird looked great in his two innings, striking out three and using his slider effectively. Tyler Kinley had two clean appearances, a great sign after his bad start to the year. Anthony Molina threw three scoreless innings in relief in game one. After being rushed to the big leagues as a Rule-5 draft pick and getting shelled in his first three outings, it has to feel good to have a quality appearance under your belt as a young pitcher.

The Negatives

The offense was so, so bad. Four runs in three games just isn’t going to cut it, and the Rockies were lucky to even win one game. Key members of the lineup like Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Jones, and Ryan McMahon just didn’t show up, combining for two hits as a trio. If the Rockies are going to win games, they need the offense to step up, especially in a hitter’s environment like Coors Field.

Peter Lambert is not a starter. Leave him in the bullpen. My Victor Vodnik campaign must finally relent, as he gave up his first three runs of the season in Saturday’s loss. Vodnik’s three earned in one inning of work raised his season ERA to 2.03 after his 12.1 scoreless innings to start the year. The Rockies defense was nothing to brag about either, as they had four errors in the three games played. For a team with so many good, young, athletic, defenders, these defensive gaffes need to be straightened up moving forward. In his first appearance of the season, Noah Davis left with injury. You never want to see that.