Running on empty. As in far too many empty at-bats.
It hurt the Rockies again on Wednesday night in a 3-1 loss to the Astros at Dalkin Park. It was the Rockies’ sixth consecutive loss as they slid 6-12 overall and 2-10 on the road.
Colorado struck out 15 times — Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti fanned 10 in his six innings — and Colorado managed just three hits. The Rockies had 20 — count ’em, 20 — swings and misses.
By virtue of walks and getting hit by pitches, the Rockies had enough baserunners to win a close game, but they were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.
Key moments: The turning point came in the first inning. Rockies starter Jose Quintana came off the injured list to make his second start of the season and promptly walked the first three batters he faced: Carlos Correa, Yordan Alvarez and Isaac Paredes. It was the first time in his career Quintana walked the first three batters he faced. That mess led to sacrifice flies by Christian Walker and Cam Smith, giving Houston a 2-0 lead. Quintana, who departed after 3 2/3 innings, also served up a solo homer to Alverez in the third.
In the seventh, Brenton Doyle reached on a bloop single and advanced to third base on two stolen bases. But he was stranded when Hunter Goodman struck out, and then, after Kyle Karros drew a walk, rookie TJ Rumfield had an impatient at-bat against wild Houston reliever Bryan Abreu. Rumfield ended up popping out to first base.
Who’s hot: Right-hander Tanner Gordon, called up from Triple-A Albuquerque, pitched four scoreless innings in long relief, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one. Gordon could be in line to move into Colorado’s starting rotation.
Who’s not: Goodman, the All-Star catcher, was 0 for 4 and struck out three times. His average has dipped to .238, and his strikeout percentage sits at 40.6%.
Jordan Beck started in right field but hit 0 for 3 with one strikeout. He’s hitting .132.
Worth noting: Starting second baseman Willi Castro and first baseman Troy Johnston both left the game after getting hit by pitches. Castro got hit in the hand, but X-rays were negative. Still, he could miss some time. Johnston was hit in the quad and had trouble moving, but manager Warren Schaeffer told reporters Johnston would be fine.
Pitching probables
Thursday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0, 2.16 ERA) at Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 5.87), 6:10 p.m.
Friday: Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 4.00) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-1, 7:30), 6:40 p.m.
Saturday: Dodgers RHP Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 6.60) at Rockies TBD, 6:10 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM, 94.1 FM
