Late Doubles Doom Rockies, Propel Diamondbacks

Nolan Jones of the Rockies diving for a ball against the Diamondbacks.

Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

April 10, 2024

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 3

DENVER, Apr. 10 — The Colorado Rockies had a 3–2 lead going into the seventh but couldn’t hang on, as a pair of back-breaking doubles off Rockies relievers led the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5–3 win Wednesday afternoon.

The late implosion wasted a Quality Start from Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber, who allowed two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four across six innings. But Jake Bird and Justin Lawrence gave up game-tying and go-ahead doubles, rendering Gomber’s efforts moot.

Rockies – Diamondbacks Game Summary

Both teams scored a run in the first, the Diamondbacks on an RBI single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and the Rockies on an RBI single by Elehuris Montero. Blaze Alexander gave the Diamondbacks a 2–1 lead in the second with a 384-foot homer to right.

Gomber traded zeroes with Diamondbacks starting pitcher Tommy Henry until the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Brendan Rodgers reached on a fielding error by shortstop Blaze Alexander. Michael Toglia, up next, made the error count when he crushed a homer to center, inches above the glove of a leaping Corbin Carroll.

The Diamondbacks tied the game in the seventh off reliever Jake Bird. A two-out double to the gap in left-center by Gurriel scored Carroll from first.

In the top of the ninth, the Diamondbacks made Justin Lawrence pay for a pair of walks. With two outs, Eugenio Suarez hit a high end-of-the-bat fly near the line in left. A hustling and fully extended Nolan Jones dove, but the ball went off the tip of his glove for a two-run double. This made the score 5–3.

Kevin Ginkel came in to close for the Diamondbacks in the bottom of the ninth. A one-out single by Tovar and walk by McMahon brought up the struggling Kris Bryant with a chance to be a hero. After working the count full, he chased a slider low and away for the second out. Jake Cave also battled his way to a full count before drawing a walk to load the bases. But the Rockies could not drive in the tying run, as Jones flied to center for the game-ending out.

What Went Right for the Rockies

Defense

Ezequiel Tovar made a highlight-reel play at shortstop in the top of the second. Kevin Newman hit a one-hop comebacker that Gomber tried to glove. It deflected into the air and to his right. A charging Tovar changed directions, barehanded it out of the air, and fired to first in time to nab the hustling Newman.

Michael Toglia, playing right field Wednesday, made a nice sliding catch on a fly ball near the line in medium right. It robbed Gurriel of what would have been his second hit of the game.

Brendan Rodgers made a diving stop on a Tucker Barnhart grounder with two outs in the top of the sixth. He then rolled over and made the throw from the seat of his pants. Elehuris Montero stretched into foul ground to make the catch, keeping his toe on the bag long enough to record the out before falling forward.

Starting Pitching

Austin Gomber gave the Rockies a Quality Start and left the game in position to get the win.

What Went Wrong for the Rockies

Leaving Runs on the Table

The Rockies left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first. They also left a runner on second in the second and runners on first and second in the fourth. Additionally, they stranded Brendan Rodgers on second in the eighth inning and left the bases loaded in the ninth. Of the Rockies’ eleven men left on base, seven were in scoring position.

Relief Pitching

Jake Bird could not hold the lead in the seventh inning, and Justin Lawrence coughed up two runs in the ninth.

Quick Hits

Ryan McMahon drew three walks in a game for the third time in his career. The last time he did so was July 27, 2022, against the Chicago White Sox. He has reached base in 12 of 13 games this season.

Ezequiel Tovar cracked three hits Wednesday afternoon, matching his career high for hits in a game. He has poked three hits in a game seven other times in his career.

Michael Toglia currently leads the Rockies with three home runs in 2024. He only has four hits in the 2024 campaign, meaning 75% of his hits have been home runs.

When Christian Walker walked in the ninth inning, it marked the first time in his career that he reached base against Justin Lawrence. He still has yet to record a hit off Lawrence (0-for-7).

The Rockies’ 3–10 start is tied for their worst 13-game start in franchise history. They also started 3–10 in 2005, 2019, and 2021.

Quotes

“It’s baseball. There are waves. It goes good, it goes bad. And then the next day it goes good again. So we have to keep pushing forward. We had a great start today. And Gomber threw amazing, and it’s a game that we need to win. There are a couple of us that—we’re gonna get going, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun, but right now, it’s tough. It’s frustrating.” — Jones on his recent struggles as well as the offensive struggles of teammates Kris Bryant and Brendan Rodgers

“We’re in the game every night against good teams. So we’ve got to find a way to put it all together and finish a couple of them out.” — Austin Gomber on the way the Rockies starting pitchers have pitched recently

Looking Ahead

Joe Mantiply (1–0) earned the win, with Justin Lawrence (0–1) taking the loss, both in relief. Kevin Ginkel notched his second save of the season.

The Rockies (3–10) and Diamondbacks (6–7) both have Thursday off. On Friday, the Diamondbacks will open a three-game series at home with the St. Louis Cardinals. Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (1–0, 5.06 ERA) will face Cardinals lefty Steven Matz (1–0, 1.74 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:40 pm Arizona Time.

The Rockies are heading to Canada, where they will play a three-game Friday-to-Sunday series with the Toronto Blue Jays. On Friday, Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner (0–1, 3.27 ERA) will take the hill against Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (0–1, 9.53 ERA). First pitch will be at 5:07 pm Mountain Daylight Time.