There was no boom in the bats of the Colorado Rockies on the Fourth of July. Colorado managed 10 hits against starter Homer Bailey and the Reds’ bullpen, all of them singles. The Reds, meanwhile, had plenty of pop in an 8-1 victory that leveled the four-game series at Coors Field at one win apiece. Cincinnati also had 10 hits, five of the extra-base variety, including three home runs.
Rockies pitchers struck out just three Reds hitters in the game, while allowing the three home runs. Starter Kyle Freeland (8-7, 4.09 ERA) surrendered five runs on eight hits, including a solo home run by Jose Peraza in the sixth inning. The Reds pecked at Freeland early, putting up four runs (one, two, one) in the game’s first three innings. The game got out of hand, however, when Adam Ottavino allowed a pair of home runs in the eighth inning – a solo shot by Scott Schebler and a two-run pinch-hit home run by Scooter Gennett. Jordan Lyles pitched 1.2 no-hit innings in relief of Freeland, and Mike Dunn pitched a clean ninth.
The Rockies could get very little going all night against Bailey (1-2, 12.66), who earned his first win of the season. Colorado managed eight hits off the right-hander over six innings, but just one run – an RBI single by Carlos Gonzalez in the first inning. Three relievers continued to shut down Colorado over the final three innings. The heart of Colorado’s lineup – Raimel Tapia, Nolan Arenado, Gonzalez and Mark Reynolds – each had a pair of hits, but the Rockies as a team were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The Rockies are 2-11 in their last 13 games. The only slight consolation Colorado has in their battle for the NL West and a Wild Card spot is that the Dodgers and Diamondbacks are currently playing a three-game series that will inflict at least some damage that will be beneficial for the Rockies. Jon Gray will pitch for the Rockies on Wednesday. Scott Feldman is on the mound for the Reds.
