The Colorado Rockies lost to the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 Saturday night at Coors Field.
Colorado got off to another poor start as starting pitcher Tyler Anderson coughed up a run in the first inning by surrendering a solo home run to Reds’ second basemen Scooter Gennett. Unlike Friday’s victory, the Rockies failed to respond in the corresponding half inning; however, Anderson managed to work clean second and third innings to keep Colorado within striking distance.
Colorado’s lineup broke through in the third inning which started with a leadoff walk issued to catcher Chris Iannetta. Anderson bunted into a fielder’s choice, reaching base safely; however, at the expense of Iannetta being called out at second base. The Reds then walked Charlie Blackmon to give the Rockies two base runners with one out. Outfielder David Dahl, who hit second in the lineup, then ripped a double to deep center field, scoring two runs and pushing the Rockies ahead 2-1.
Anderson was unable to protect the Rockies lead in the fourth inning as he quickly ran into trouble by issuing a leadoff walk to Brandon Dixon. Dixon then advanced to second base on a wild pitch from Anderson in the following at-bat. A bit flustered on the mound, Anderson worked a 1-1 count to Reds’ catcher Tony Cruz and then threw him a second consecutive four-seam fastball in the at-bat which he took deep to left field, scoring two runs and putting Cincinnati on top 3-2.
Colorado went down quietly in the bottom half of the fourth inning but managed to generate an additional pair of runs in the fifth inning. Iannetta started the frame with a single to right field but was called out at second base when Anderson once again failed to lay down a successful sacrifice bunt. With one runner on, Blackmon ripped a triple to center field to score a run and tie the game at 3. Dahl then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Blackmon and push Colorado back ahead 4-3.
The Rockies held the lead until the seventh inning where the Reds’ tagged Colorado’s bullpen for three runs. Chris Rusin relived Anderson and immediately fell into trouble by allowing a leadoff single to Scott Schebler who then scored on a triple hit by speedster Billy Hamilton. Rusin was then replaced by Bryan Shaw who was unable to stop the bleeding as he instantly surrendered an RBI single to Jose Peraza and later in the inning threw a wild pitch which scored another Cincinnati run, extending their lead to 6-4.
Nolan Aredano ripped a double to start the eighth inning and later scored on a groundout to first base hit by Gerardo Parra to cut the deficit again to one-run. Colorado was able to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning but failed to score a run as the game ended on a lineout double-play hit by Dahl.
The Rockies and Reds will conclude their series tomorrow afternoon from Coord Field. First pitch is set for 1:10 MST.
