MIAMI — Two at-bats equaled one giant missed opportunity for the Rockies in their 4-1 loss to the Marlins Saturday night.
Charlie Blackmon’s solo homer in the sixth to finally put the Rockies on the board, trailing 3-1. Ian Desmondfollowed with a double and a one-out single byTrevor Storyput the tying runs on base. ButrelieverNick Wittgrenstruck outChris Iannettaand then gotGerardo Parrato pop out to end the inning.
It was a snapshot of Colorado’s tepid offense during the first month of the season. It’s batting .277 overall, .225 with runners in scoring positions and .213 with runners in scoring position and two outs.
Five takeaways from Saturday’s game:
No. 1: German Marquez threw 113 pitchers, a season high for the Rockies. Manager Bud Black said he hoped the other starters were paying attention, because he’s expecting them to carry more of a load.
No. 2: Rookie Noel Cuevas, at native of Puerto Rico, got the start in right field on Puerto Rican heritage day at Marlins Park. He the ball hard twice, but finished 0-for-3.
No. 3: Marlins Park has been an offensive graveyard for Nolan Arenado. The third baseman went 0-for-3 Saturday night and is now batting .169 (13-for-77) in Miami.
No. 4: The Rockies, whose defense has been mostly golden this season, committed two errors Saturday, just the second time it’s happened this season.
No. 5: Marlins starting pitchers have held opponents to two or fewer runs in six consecutive games, and one or fewer runs in five straight.
Quotable:“We’re going to, at times, push these guys because we need them. And actually, they’re up for it. Guys want to pitch, especially young guys.”— manager Bud Black, referring to Marquez’s career-high 113 pitches.
