Diamondbacks offense stays flat at Coors Field in loss to Rockies
Sep 17, 2024, 8:24 PM
Ezequiel Tovar #14 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates his third inning solo home run with Ryan McMahon #24 at Coors Field on September 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ offense once again wasn’t able to piece much together at Coors Field in an 8-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.
Arizona has been able to stack runs in order to cover up flaws in either the starting rotation or bullpen all year but that offense has surprisingly faded in, of all places, Colorado.
While the D-backs bullpen did drop a 2-1 lead on Monday, it was still a lackluster day for the bats. Tuesday was the same.
After Arizona failed to produce at-bats with runners in scoring position on Monday thanks to some double plays, it had eight in just four innings on Tuesday but only came through with one hit. That was an infield single in the second inning that did not score a run.
The D-backs didn’t get anything going again until the seventh inning. Two runners were on with two outs for pinch hitter Ketel Marte at a 5-1 deficit but Marte flew out.
One Rockies run later, Christian Walker hit a solo home run for Arizona’s second and final run of the night.
With Ryne Nelson on the injured list, Jordan Montgomery got his first start since getting demoted to the bullpen on Aug. 23 and did a serviceable enough job. He gave up three earned runs on six hits and two walks through 4.2 innings, getting picked up reliever Scott McGough after he exited with runners on second and third and two outs.
One of Montgomery’s runs should have been unearned after a high popup to short right field in the second inning was missed by the D-backs on what was scored a double. Walker lost the ball in the sky and neither second baseman Luis Guillorme or right fielder Corbin Carroll were in proper positions to catch it once Walker made it clear he didn’t see where it was. Two more Rockies doubles followed in the inning.
The goofs continued in the sixth inning when with one out and runners on first and second, a stolen base attempt at third base was countered by a good enough throw but third baseman Eugenio Suarez was unable to field the ball properly for a tag. A fly ball on the ensuing at-bat would score a run on a sac fly.
For the second straight night, the loss didn’t do any damage in the standings thanks to an Atlanta Braves loss. Arizona remains two games ahead of the Braves for a Wild Card spot.
