Rockies Own Worst Enemies in Blowout Loss to Diamondbacks

Hunter Goodman of the Rockies reacts after striking out against the Diamondbacks

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

August 14, 2024

Diamondbacks 11, Rockies 4

PHOENIX (Aug. 14) — After losing two straight winnable games, the Colorado Rockies made one mistake after another en route to a blowout loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday afternoon. The loss meant a three-game sweep, the sixth that the Rockies have fallen victim to in 2024.

Rockies starting pitcher Tanner Gordon did not survive the first inning, facing nine hitters and allowing four runs (three earned) while recording two outs. Reliever Riley Pint, the fourth Rockie to pitch, also lasted only two thirds of an inning, and he also allowed four runs, although all were earned thanks to a Eugenio Suarez grand slam.

The Rockies offense lay silent until the fourth against embattled Diamondbacks left-hander Jordan Montgomery. They scratched out a run in that inning and two more in the sixth, even bringing the tying run to the plate before the rally stalled. A consolation run came in the eighth after two doubles, ending the scoring.

“Obviously, they outplayed us,” manager Bud Black said, “and we shot ourselves in the foot a number of times.”

What Went Right for the Rockies

Lambert Cleans Up a Mess

The final score could have been even worse than it was. Trailing 4–0, Peter Lambert entered the game in the top of the first with the bases loaded, two outs, and Corbin Carroll at the plate. Lambert got Carroll to ground to second and stop the bleeding.

Robbery

Jordan Beck made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Adrian Del Castillo of a home run.

What Went Wrong for the Rockies

The First Inning

The first inning was a complete disaster, and the Rockies were fortunate they didn’t allow more than four runs. Carroll led off with a walk, and it came back to haunt the Rockies. Jake McCarthy advanced him to third with a single. Joc Pederson doubled down the right-field line, scoring both. The throw home as McCarthy rounded third was cut off by first baseman Michael Toglia, who whipped it to second. He was back-picking Pederson, who took too big a turn. But the off-target throw sailed into left and rolled all the way to the wall allowing Pederson to score.

But that was only the beginning. Josh Bell reached on catcher’s interference, the second error of the inning. He advanced to second on a single to right-center by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The Rockies finally recorded the first out of the inning when Adrian Del Castillo popped foul to the third baseman. Gordon plunked the next batter, Eugenio Suarez, to load the bases. Blaze Alexander hit a soft comebacker, forcing Bell at home for the second out. Geraldo Perdomo drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing Carroll to the plate for the second time in the inning. Lambert, as mentioned earlier, relieved Gordon and stopped the bleeding.

Mental Mistakes, Lack of Command

The errant Toglia throw in the first inning was not the only error that led to a run. In the second, on a Gurriel single to right, Sam Hilliard tried to throw out Bell as he attempted to go first-to-third. The throw sailed past third baseman Aaron Schunk, giving Bell an easy path home for the fifth Diamondback run.

“We shot ourselves in the foot a number of times,” Black stated frankly. “We didn’t play a very clean game defensively early in the game. The pitching wasn’t crisp all day long. Some of our younger pitchers just did not throw enough good pitches, and their inexperience showed up today.”

The Rockies’ pitching staff issued seven walks, hit four batters, and allowed nine hits. Two of the plunkings came from Pint. The first came from Gordon, and the last came from Lawrence. One of Pint’s led to an injury scare for Gurriel, who turned out to be alright.

Looking Ahead

Montgomery (8–6) earned the win, with Gordon (0–4) taking the loss.

The Rockies (44–78) and Diamondbacks (69–53) are both off Thursday as they travel to their next games. On Friday, the Rockies will open a three-game homestand against the San Diego Padres. Cal Quantrill (7–8, 4.56 ERA) will start the first game for the Rockies, facing Padres right-hander Matt Waldron (7–9, 4.00 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:40 pm Mountain.

The Diamondbacks will open a three-game series in St. Petersburg, Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays. Starting pitchers have yet to be announced for both teams. Friday’s game will begin at 6:50 pm Eastern.