The Denver Broncos started their season across town, and the Rockies are still searching for their elusive 41st win of the season. They lost by a touchdown today — their record-tying 103rd loss of the season — and will head to Southern California next in search of it. Tanner Gordon struggled early, and the Rockies offense was MIA.
But the good news is that the Padres still are within one game of the Dodgers for the NL West crown.
Gordon gobbled up
Tanner Gordon fell back to Earth today after four outstanding starts
in a row. Gordon started off by getting Fernando Tatís Jr. to line out to right, but then he walked Luis Arraez and gave up a 452-foot two-run homer to Manny Machado to put the Friars up early. He struck out the next two to end the inning.
In the second inning, Gordon got into some trouble again. He got Gavin Sheets to line out, but then Jackson Merrill homered to increase the lead to 3-0. Gordon induced a 1-2-3 third, but then gave up another homer in the fourth to Sheets and then after a strikeout of Merrill, Jake Cronenworth doubled and was knocked in by Freddy Fermin.
In total, Gordon pitched just 3 2/3 innings while allowing six runs on six hits with five strikeouts, one walk and three home runs.
Peralta’s struggles continue
Luis Peralta came in to relieve Gordon in the fourth, and things got hairy quickly. Tatís singled and Arraez walked to load the bases. Then Machado walked to score Fermin. Luckily Tyler Freeman made a dazzling snag to rob Ryan O’Hearn of a couple more RBIs and end the inning.
After the Rockies went down 1-2-3 with three strikeouts in the fourth, Peralta came back out for the fifth and immediately gave up a home run to Ramón Laureano. Entering today’s game, the Padres were 29th in homers in MLB (not sure if they still are). Sheets then lined out but then Merrill and Cronenworth singled to end Peralta’s stint.
Antonio Senzatela entered in relief and walked Freddy Fermin, but then a wild pitch allowed Merrill to score the Padres’ eighth run. However, he settled in after that. He retired the next two batters and gave up a leadoff double to Machado in the sixth. In the seventh, he gave up another leadoff double to Merrill, but retired the next two before walking Tatís and getting Arraez to fly out on the first pitch. In total, Senzatela lasted as long as his starter — 3 2/3 innings, four hits, zero walks, two walks and three strikeouts on 71 pitches.
Paging some offense!
The Rockis scraped together six hits, but were only able to score one run in the third inning. After Braxton Fulford popped out, Orlando Arcia doubled. Two batters later, Ezequiel Tovar singled to drive him in and that was it for the scoring.
The Rox had chances in the later innings, but ended up grounding into double plays to end the threats.
In the sixth, Tovar and Mickey Moniak led off the inning with back-to-back walks. But then Jordan Beck flied out, and Brenton Doyle grounded into a double play to end it.
In the seventh, Warming Bernabel and Yanquiel Fernández led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Fulford narrowly missed a double play, grounding into a force out at second of Fernández. But then Arcia grounded into said double play to strand the runners and end the inning. In total, the Rockies were 1-for-6 with RISP and left six on base.
Up Next
The Rockies head to Chavez Ravine for their final three against the LA Dodgers. Chase Dollander will get the start against Tyler Glasnow. First pitch is at 8:10pm MT. See you then!
