CINCINNATI — The Rockies are treading in deep water right now and there doesn’t seem to be a life preserver in sight.
Given that the Rockies just won two of three games here against the Reds, and given that there are still 100 games left in the season, that might seem an extreme overreaction, but consider:
— Thursday’s 13-inning, 7-5 loss loss marked ninth consecutive game in which the Rockies allowed double-digit hits, tying a record set way back in July 2010.
— Colorado has lost five of its last seven games, and all five of those losses can be blamed on a collapsing bullpen that is threatening to ruin the Rockies’ playoff hopes.
— The team’s 4.99 bullpen ERA includes a 9.00 ERA for left-hander Mike Dunn; a 7.77 ERA for ; a 6.89 ERA for Bryan Shaw; and a 4.76 ERA for . All four of those pitchers were being counted on to shut down the opposition, not open the flood gates.
— There doesn’t seem to be much relief in sight (pun intended). Right-hander , Colorado’s best pitcher (starter or reliever) remains on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. Hard-throwing right-hander Antonio Senzatela, the club’s next-best hope in a long-relief role, is hurt. Making a start for Triple-A Albuquerque Wednesday night, Senzatela departed after just two-thirds of an inning because of a tight groin. I’m told it’s not a serious injury, but he’s not ready to ride to the rescue.
Manager Bud Black, who is usually very careful with his on-the-record quotes, was relatively blunt after Thursday’s loss.
“We are going through a very difficult time right now, with a few guys, for sure,” he said. “We are addressing this on a daily basis, collectively and individually. We just have to get to the point where these guys are returning to their track-record performance. Right now it’s not happening.
“We are digging deep into a lot of different areas, both physically and mentally, with each guy who is struggling. And we’ll stay at it. We have to get these guys to a point of performance to where they help us win games.”
Dunn’s deal: The veteran left-hander was clearly upset about his performance Thursday. He gave up a single and two walks in the eighth inning without recording an out and set the wheels in motion for Cincinnati’s rally.
“I blew it for our guys,” he said. “I couldn’t even get an out, so I’d better figure it out — quickly. Even with the strikes I’m throwing, I’m not hitting my spots and guys are getting hits. This is something I have never had — this issue, this much — so I have to grind it out and figure out what’s going on. I have to right the ship as soon as I can.”
Run, Nolan, run. All-star third baseman turned in a few more highlight plays Thursday, but he also showed a noticeable lack of effort running to first base in the first inning. Arenado grounded out to shortstop Alex Blandino, who started a double play. Arenado was originally ruled safe, but the play was reviewed and the call was overturned.
Though Arenado’s grounder scored from third, the lack of hustle cost the Rockies an out and cost Arenado an RBI.
Footnotes. The Rockies have recorded eight or more hits in 12 consecutive games, the club’s longest such streak since 14 games in 2015. … finished Thursday’s game batting 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a walk. Over his last 10 games, Gonzalez is batting .415 (17-for-41) with three doubles, a triple, two homers and 10 RBIs. … Arenado extended his on-base streak to 19 games, the longest active streak in the National League.
Looking ahead
Diamondbacks RHP Zach Greinke (4-4, 3.44 ERA) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (4-5, 4.38), 6:40 p.m. Friday; ATTRM, 850 AM
Greinke has never loved pitching at and he hasn’t pitched very well on the road this season, posting a 6.14 ERA away from Chase Field. At his home park, however, he has a 1.64 ERA. The veteran right-handed is coming off a strong start vs. the Marlins when he allowed one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over 6 ⅓ innings. Two Rockies hitters, in particular, have done well vs. Greinke. Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado’s hottest hitter right now, has batted .333 (15-for-45) with five homers vs. Greinke, while is hitting .308 (8-for-28) with four homers. Marquez’s roller-coaster season might be starting to level off. Although he didn’t factor into the decision in Colorado’s 12-4 loss to the Dodgers last Saturday, he pitched well enough to win. He allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings while striking out a season-high eight. Marquez pounded the strike zone, throwing 71 of 114 pitches for strikes and generating 17 swinging strikes. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Saturday: Diamondbacks RHP Matt Koch (4-3, 3.76 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (4-1, 4.02), 5:15 p.m., FOX
Sunday: Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (5-5, 5.12) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (6-5, 3.48), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Off day
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (6-6, 5.66) at Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (7-2, 2.35), 5:05 p.m., ATTRM
