Rockies Lose Early Four-Run Lead, Fall to Angels

Cal Quantrill leaving the field after being replaced

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

July 30, 2024

Angels 10, Rockies 7

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Jul. 30) — The Colorado Rockies lost a 6–2 second-inning lead and ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Angels, 10–7, Tuesday night.

Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning, despite giving up six runs in the first two innings, settled in to retire the last 14 Rockies he faced. Ultimately, he allowed six runs on six hits, walking two and striking out six across six innings.

Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill did not survive the fourth, allowing seven runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out four in 3 2/3 innings. Additionally, he plunked two batters and threw wild pitches in one of his roughest starts of the season. “We should have won that game,” a visibly disappointed Quantrill said afterwards, “but I didn’t pitch well enough.”

Rockies – Angels Game Summary

The Rockies loaded the bases in the first inning on singles from designated hitter Charlie Blackmon and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and a walk from third baseman Ryan McMahon. Right fielder Kris Bryant belted a deep drive to right-center. Although Angels right fielder Jo Adell ran it down, it was deep enough to score Blackmon and advance Tovar to third. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers roped a double to the left-field corner, fair by inches, to bring Tovar home and advance McMahon to third. Strikeouts by first baseman Michael Toglia and left fielder Jake Cave sent the game to the bottom of the first with the Rockies leading, 2–0.

The Angels tied the game before they even made an out. A Nolan Schanuel double and Luis Rengifo single, both to right put runners on the corners for left fielder Taylor Ward. After a wild pitch advanced Rengifo to second, Ward smashed a single up the middle, scoring both runners and tying the game.

The tie game did not last long, as the Rockies loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the second. Singles by catcher Elias Diaz and Blackmon sandwiched a walk from center fielder Sam Hilliard. Tovar brought in Diaz and advanced Hilliard to third with a sac fly to center. McMahon followed with an opposite-field liner to the seats in the left-field corner, giving the Rockies a 6–2 lead.

“I know (Canning) likes to start guys soft 0–0 with runners in scoring position, so I was looking for something up I could handle and put a good swing on it,” McMahon said of the home run.

Angels Take Lead

A two-run double down the right-field line by Angels catcher Matt Thaiss with runners on the corners in the bottom of the third slashed the Rockies lead to 6–4. The Angels took a 7–6 lead one inning later on an RBI single from Ward and two-run single from Thaiss. This chased Rockies starter Cal Quantrill from the game after 3 2/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Canning retired 14 straight Rockies after giving up the McMahon dinger. Peter Lambert, who relieved Quantrill, retired seven of the eight Angels he faced, keeping the score at 7–6 going into the top of the seventh.

Jose Quijada relieved Canning in the top of the seventh. He did not protect the lead for long, as a two-out solo homer to left-center tied the game at seven. The tie score also did not last long, with a one-out solo blast close to the same spot by Jo Adell gave the Angels an 8–7 lead.

The Angels made it a three-run game in the bottom of the eighth off new pitcher Justin Lawrence. Rengifo dumped a single to shallow center and stole second. An errant throw to second by Diaz allowed Rengifo to reach third. After Ward fanned and designated hitter Willie Calhoun walked, shortstop Zach Neto bunted toward the second baseman. Lawrence scooped up the ball and, without breaking stride, saw he had no play at home. He also saw no one covering first, so he sprinted to the bag and tagged Neto with the ball at the last second. The sacrifice bunt scored Rengifo and advanced Calhoun to second. A single to deep right-center by Thaiss — his fifth RBI of the game — plated pinch-runner Kevin Pillar. A 1–2–3 top of the ninth from Angels reliever Hunter Strickland ended the game.

What Went Right for the Rockies

Early Offense

The Rockies scored six runs on six hits, two walks, a double, and a homer in the first two innings.

Peter Lambert

Lambert pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, retiring seven of the eight Angels he faced. The lone blemish was a leadoff single by Angels center fielder Mickey Moniak in the bottom of the fifth. His effort kept the Rockies within a run of tying the game, which they did after he faced his last batter.

What Went Wrong for the Rockies

Matt Thaiss

Taylor Ward went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored, but his contribution wasn’t the biggest punch in the Angels’ offense. Instead, it was Matt Thaiss, 3-for-5 with a double, five RBI, and two stolen bases. He was the first position player in Angels history to drive in five runs and steal two bases. Additionally, he was only the second catcher in AL/NL history to accomplish the feat. The other was Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, who did so for the Detroit Tigers in 1934.

Offensive Lull after Early Lead

After the McMahon homer with one out in the top of the second, the Rockies only had one more hitter even reach base. That came on the Tovar homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Pitching

Lambert was the only Rockies pitcher that didn’t surrender any runs. Bird allowed a run on two hits, including the go-ahead solo homer from Adell. Lawrence coughed up two runs in the eighth. Quantrill gave up a season-high seven.

“He couldn’t find a rhythm with his pitches,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of Quantrill. “His stuff was good, but he couldn’t command and couldn’t locate it — two walks, two hit-by-pitches.” Black later added, “Surprising and frustrating for Cal, that he couldn’t get through this when he’s been so good for us all year. That was unexpected.”

Looking Ahead

Quijada (1–0) snagged the win, with Bird (1–2) taking the loss, both in relief. Strickland notched his first save of the season.

The Rockies (38–70) and Angels (47–60) will play the second game of their three-game set Wednesday night. Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (2–4, 6.23 ERA) will take the hill against Angels right-hander Davis Daniel (1–2, 5.82 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:38 pm Pacific/7:38 pm Mountain.