Earlier today, I was perusing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website. I’ve never visited the HOF, but it’s a Cleveland landmark, so I thought I’d take a virtual look-around.
After spending some time there, I find myself in a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers frame of mind, so let’s get to it.
If there’s a marker of the 2025 Colorado Rockies, it’s an inability to play consistent and clean baseball. That trend continued tonight as they lost to the Guardians 10-4.
The Rockies offense? Free fallin’
Given the momentum of last night’s late-innings
rally, there was hope the Rockies could claim a second win. Add to that fact that the last time they faced LHP Logan Allen in May of 2024 at Coors Field, he made only five outs and gave up seven runs.
That was not the case tonight.
The Rockies found themselves down two runs before the first inning had concluded as a Gabriel Arias RBI single brought home Steven Kwan and Daniel Schneemann. It was a sign of things to come as Tanner Gordon simply couldn’t find the zone.
In the second inning, the Guardians added another run on a Jordan Beck throwing error. (That marks the 85th error by the Rockies this season and leads all of MLB. They had 86 before the game ended.) When the second inning had finished, the Guardians had a 3-0 lead.
Things only got worse when Kyle Manzardo hit a two-run homer (his 17th).
Following that was a Brayan Rocchio triple (the first of his career) that made the game 7-0.
In the fourth, the Rockies got on the board as Jordan Beck hit a homer, his 12th, making the score 7-1 Cleveland.
But the Guardians’ offensive press was relentless as they went up 8-1 on a Nolan Jones RBI single.
By the time the fifth inning had ended, every Guardian had at least one hit, and the score was 9-1, this time courtesy of a Jones RBI single.
Manzardo welcomed Jimmy Herget into the game in the sixth with a lead-off homer (his second of the game and 18th of the season).
When the sixth inning concluded, the score was 10-1.
Logan Allen was still pitching in the seventh inning. Michael Toglia, DHing tonight, promptly entered the chat when he hit a much-needed home run, his first since July 5th and his 11th of the season.
Allen finished the seventh on 113 pitches. He surrendered two runs (both earned) on eight hits, walking one and striking out three with a score of 10-2 Guardians.
Finally, in the seventh inning, the Rockies did not allow the Guardians to score.
Ezequiel Tovar got on base due to a fielding error by Rocchio and scored on a Warming Bernabel double in the eighth, making the score 10-3.
And the Rockies weren’t done yet.
Kyle Farmer led off the ninth inning with a home run, making the score 10-4.
The Rockies finished the evening with four runs on ten hits. They walked once and struck out seven times.
Tyler Freeman and Warming Bernabel: The damage you’ve (they’ve) done
It was another multi-hit game for the Rockies right fielder who hit a single and a double while seeing plenty of action in the outfield.
Warming Bernabel continues to impress. He went 2 for 4 with a single and a double, including an RBI.
And let’s not overlook his defense, which prevented the Guardians from scoring in the seventh.
“I see immediate confidence coming up from the minor leagues,” interim manager Warren Schaeffer said.
And of Bernabel’s defense?
“Really, nothing but good stuff.”
Tanner Gordon: Won’t (didn’t?) last long
It just wasn’t Tanner Gordon’s night. He went only three innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits (six earned). He walked two, struck out two, and allowed one home run on 71 pitches.
“I saw him living on the outside part of the plate,” Schaeffer said. “He didn’t have the ability to run a ball inside on them and keep them honest,” adding, “That’s not really a recipe for success.”
Bullpen, don’t do me (us?) like that
After Gordon’s early exit, the bullpen was responsible for most of the game.
Angel Chivilli entered in long relief in the fourth inning and handled two innings. He threw 40 pitches and gave up two runs (both earned) on five hits with one walk and zero Ks.
The sixth inning went to Jimmy Herget who promptly gave up a lead-off homer to Kyle Manzardo and hit Nolan Jones on the elbow. He went on to throw the seventh as well. He gave up two hits, including one run (earned), no walks, and two strikeouts.
Jaden Hill had the eighth inning and made quick work of it thanks to a double play and a strikeout.
Mary Jane’s last dance
The Guardians are now 53-54 while the Rockies move to 28-79.
Join us tomorrow at 4:40 pm for Game 3 when Kyle Freeland will face a pitcher to be named later.
See you then.
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