The Colorado Rockies had their losing streak extended to five games after the New York Yankees defeated, 8-2.
The loss dropped the Rockies record to 46-51 on the season.
Ahead are takeaways from the loss.
The grass is not always greener
This year has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for the Rockies with the team finding themselves in more valleys than peaks.
There are some fundamental differences between the Rockies team of this year and the postseason clubs of 2017-18. It just so happens, two familiar faces happen to play for the opposing team in their current series.
Both D.J. LeMahieu and Adam Ottavino were critical components to the Rockies success in each of the past two seasons, but both players now find themselves chasing a championship with the Yankees.
The two players signed with the Yankees for a combined $51 million last offseason and have been among the best players in the American League.
LeMahieu and Ottavino each had impacts against their former clubs, with LeMahieu driving home a pair of runs and Ottavino striking out the side in the sixth inning.
It’s safe to say the Rockies would be in a much better spot at this point in the year if they’d have re-signed one, if not both.
Former Rockies’ outfielder Mike Tauchman is also a member of the Yankees and did some damage against Colorado by collecting a trio of hits.
Freeland sputters again in grand fashion
Kyle Freeland made his first start away from Coors Field since being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. Freeland spent time with the Isotopes, the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate, in order to refine himself on the mound after a rough go around in the first half of the season.
Freeland got off to a strong start, working two scoreless innings to open up the ballgame.
Freeland fell into trouble in the third inning. With one out and the bases clear, Freeland surrendered a base hit to LeMahieu. Freeland then buckled, walking back-to-back batters to load the bases. Edwin Encarnacion then plunked a grand slam over the fence in left field, establishing a devastating 4-2 lead for New York.
"One Swing, Four Runs"
Written By: Edwin Encarnación
Illustrated By: Kyle Freeland (via @Yankees) pic.twitter.com/64jXy8pXLw— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 20, 2019
LeMahieu got the best of Freeland once again, driving home a run in the fourth inning.
Freeland departed with a line of four innings pitched allowing five runs on six hits while striking out six batters.
McMahon continues to swing it
Rockies’ infielder Ryan McMahon stayed hot at the dish versus the New York Yankees. McMahon platted the first run of the ballgame for the Rockies by crushing a solo home run to center field in the second inning.
Give the man some finger taps. Stay 🔥 @Ry_McMahon! pic.twitter.com/HeI5yh6eRs
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 19, 2019
McMahon has been locked in at the dish as of late, hitting .340 (18-for-53) with four doubles, one triple and four home runs in his last 14 starts.
McMahon became the 10th Rockie of all-time to hit a home run in Yankee Stadium.
Almonte struggles in his latest chance
Yency Almonte has added to the Rockies’ recent pitching woes out of the bullpen.
Colorado’s bullpen started off the season strong; however, the Rockies’ relief pitchers have sputtered as of late. The Rockies’ bullpen entered Friday’s game with a 4.88 earned run average which ranks in the bottom third of the National League.
Almonte was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque during the Rockies doubleheader versus the San Francisco Giants and has remained with the club since. Almonte was summoned out of the bullpen in relief of starting pitcher Kyle Freeland with Colorado trailing 5-2.
Almonte was unable to keep things close as he coughed up three runs on four hits in two innings of work.
Although the Rockies were trailing at the time Almonte entered the game, the bullpens’ inability to keep games both close and competitive has crippled Colorado since the All-Star break.