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DENVER – The 2016 Colorado Rockies lost a one-run contest. Sound familiar? Yeah. It’s happened 18 times this season. This one had all the goodies, a superb start, some questionable bullpen usage, the inability to handle a bat at a clutch time and the big one, lack of execution from the relievers. All of this lead to the Rockies blowing their late lead and the San Fransisco Giants winning 3-2.
The Giants were at it first, scoring in the third on a Eduardo Nunez solo shot. But before the Giants could realize their lead, the Rockies answered. On a DJ LeMahieu infield single, slick fielding shortstop Brandon Crawford was able to dive to keep the ball in the dirt. Fortunately for the Rockies, that dive and subsequent bobble gave the ultra speedy Raimel Tapia the opportunity to score form second.
In the fifth, Tapia was up to his tricks again. This time the rookie outfielder brought home rookie Tony Wolters on a sacrifice fly.
There would be no more runs until the eighth when rookie Tyler Anderson ran into some of his only trouble on the night. Back-to-back singles had the lefty on the ropes and after a sacrifice bunt he was taken out with a 2-1 lead. Jordan Lyles came in a promptly gave up the lead on a Nunez RBI groundout.
“Jordan has worked his way into the back end of games,” Manager Walt Weiss said of his usage of Lyles. “He was used to starting so he was the long man but I feel like he’s pitched himself into the backend and he got that opportunity tonight. I took Tyler about as long as I could take him with the lineup coming up for a fourth time. And I thought Jordan did a heck of a job keeping the game tied, getting a groudball.”
He did get that grounaball but the run scored easy because the infield was playing back.
“I can’t right there, that’s suicide,” Weiss told of his decision to play the infield back. “You’ve got two guys in scoring position, you’re at home, you’ll play for the tie right there. You’re in and the ball gets through now you’re down. When we’re at home we’ll take the tie and extend the game.”
But the bullpen kept being, well, not as good as you’d like. Adam Ottavino came in for the ninth and Buster Posey, the leadoff batter, reached on an error. Which, would’ve been an easy out in a Trevor Story–Mark Reynolds infield. Next Hunter Pence singled, which moved Posey to third.
Boone Logan entered. He got a key left on left strikeout against the Dangerous Brandon Crawford. But following Crawford was Kelby Tomlinson. The young second baseman was able to capitalize on a poor 0-2 pitch and single, scoring the winning run.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Tyler Anderson
Seven-and-a-third with just two earned runs on six hits at Coors Field? GIVE IT TO ME! Seriously, give Anderson the ball at Coors, he’s ace at home. Only walking two in his 101 pitch performance, the rookie left-hander kept the Giants at bay.
“He’s been good everywhere, he executes pitches, he always has a solid game plan. He has ability to execute, speed hitters up and throw a changeup or vice-versa, he just looks he was in complete control out there.” – Weiss
BY THE NUMBERS:
2 – Rookie Raimel Tapia was responsible for two of the Rockies runs.
9 – Jeff Samardzija struck out nine.
9-18 – The Rockies are 9-18 in one run games this year.
10 – Pat Valaika became the 10th Rockie to make his MLB debut this year in the contest.
WHAT’S AHEAD:
The Rockies finish up their long homestand Wednesday, the play the San Francisco Giants and the contest is scheduled to start at 6:40 p.m. MT. Veteran LHP Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 4.88) will get the ball for the home club and face RHP Albert Suarez (3-3, 4.29).
