Sweepless in Seattle: Rockies lose sixth-straight Sunday game

The Colorado Rockies were on the verge of a second-straight sweep, this one on the road against the Seattle Mariners, when the starting rotation experienced the first stumble in a while. Antonio Senzatela almost salvaged his outing but a big home run from Ryon Healy ultimately swung the game. And Colorado’s Sunday woes continued with their sixth consecutive loss on the day.

It was the first time in the last nine games that a Rockies starter has given up more than two runs.

The Rockies took an early lead on Charlie Blackmon’s second first-inning home run of the series, a solo shot over the wall in center. This came one day after he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.

Senzatela was not sharp in the first. He gave up a single to Dee Gordon to open things then gave up a long out to Jean Segura before plunking Mitch Haniger and walking Nelson Cruz. Kyle Seager put a charge into one that had danger written all over it but Carlos Gonzalez was able to track it down in right to force Seattle to settle for the game-tying sac fly.

The Rockies starter continued to struggle with his command in another walk, this one to Denard Span, to load the bases. All the traffic came back to bite the youngster when Ryon Healy lined a double to left, putting the Mariners on top 3-1.

But Senza settled after that, getting clean innings in the second and third and stranding a leadoff triple in the fourth with some heady pitching.

Colorado pulled to within one in the fifth on Carlos Gonzalez’ eighth homer of the year.

They took the lead in the sixth with a lightning-quick two-out rally. On back-to-back pitches, Nolan Arenado singled to center and Trevor Story smashed his 17th home run of the season on a line drive over the wall in right-center field. Suddenly, it was a 4-3 Rockies advantage.

That didn’t last long.

The Mariners responded by taking advantage of another bout with wildness from Senzatela who opened the frame by walking Cruz again. Seager followed with a single up the middle and after a Denard Span fly out, Ryon Healy cracked a deep drive to left, a three-run blast, his 18th home run of the season, putting Seattle ahead 6-4.

The Rockies offense could not strike back against the Seattle bullpen.

Mariners relievers Alex Colome and Edwin Diaz struck out the last six Rockies’ hitters in the game, putting an emphatic stamp on the salvaging game in the series for Seattle.

What’s Next:

After a day off, the Rockies return home to face off in another divisional battle with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lefties Tyler Anderson and Patrick Cobin battle in the first game on Tuesday night. First pitch at 6:40 Mountain Time.