A winning streak is loosely defined as a streak of three-or-more consecutive victories. For the Colorado Rockies, that mark has been unattainable since June.
With their latest 3-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, the Rockies likely extending their spree without a winning streak to August. It’s been over a full calendar month since the club was able to string together a trio of wins.
In July’s totality, the Rockies have won a mere five times in 21 games. Their season record also dropped to 49-56 with the failure.
Ahead are takeaways from the loss.
Homers continue their reign over Gonzalez
It’s a new problem, but a problem nonetheless for Chi Chi Gonzalez. After a pair of starts to begin his Rockies’ career without allowing a home run, opponents are getting even.
Against both the Giants July 25th and Wednesday night, the hurler allowed a combined four home runs in just 10.2 innings. In his latest start, each served as game-breaking shots.
In only the second inning, Gonzalez left a fastball towards the middle of the plate and Josh VanMeter took him deep to right field. The homer was only the fourth of the year for VanMeter, but the second of his rookie year against the Rockies.
The second long ball of the night for the Reds, off the bat of Eugenio Suarez, was a true no-doubter:
Eugenio Suárez…
⚪️ is good at baseball
⚪️ crushed a home run
⚪️ extends the Reds the lead
🔘 all the above #BornToBaseball pic.twitter.com/PqaS3KNcgL— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 28, 2019
The 432-foot shot was the 28th of the year for Suarez and served as a revenge hit of sorts after Gonzalez struck him out in the first meeting of the contest.
As a pitcher that carries average velocity, Gonzalez’ misses tend to be catastrophic more often than his flamethrowing counterparts. In the game, he went a serviceable 5.2 innings and allowed five hits and three earned runs.
The length of the start was plenty for a Rockies’ club simply looking to keep it close until the offense gets going. In the loss, the hopes never came to fruition.
For his efforts, Gonzalez’ season earned run average was lowered to 5.03.
Rockies’ order cracks DeSclafani’s wild code late
Seemingly unknown, Anthony DeSclafani has had a good year for the Reds. In nine of his 19 previous starts, the young hurler had tallied either a quality start or eight-plus strikeouts.
Early on, it looked like one – or both – was bound to come true once again.
In the first three innings, DeSclafani didn’t allow a single hit and struck out a Rockies’ hitter in each frame. Across the same span, he induced three groundouts and looked to have the visitors’ number.
For the next two-plus stanzas from DeSclafani, the Rockies began to figure things out, working multiple walks. Outside of a questionable balk call, the offense continued to fail to come through after the free passes.
They were 0-for-3 against the youngster with runners in scoring position.
In the sixth, the Rockies began to come through, chasing DeSclafani with a pair of hits to start off the frame. After Wandy Peralta came in to end the threat, his final line was five innings pitched and only four hits and one earned run allowed.
In three starts against the Rockies in his career, the Reds’ hurler has a 4.24 ERA.
‘Clutch’ gene missing once again for visitors
Losing teams make losing plays while winning teams conduct the opposite.
For the Rockies, their bevy of losing plays are beginning to take their toll when the moments matter most.
Continuously, the club failed to break through on offense, scoring their only run off the aforementioned balk call. The most confusing of the gaffes came from Raimel Tapia.
After a one-out double, Tapia had the Rockies set up to cut into a 3-1 Reds’ lead. Instead, Charlie Blackmon drove a line drive to left field. In the process, the young outfielder sprinted home and became the product of a double play.
The head-scratching plays have become a regularity for Tapia who has struggled to come through for the Rockies in the mental aspect of the game.
The play added to a 0-for-7 day at the plate for the Rockies with runners in scoring position. In all, they left six runners on base.
Many of the opportunities came with the leaders of the club at the plate as Nolan Arenado, Blackmon and Trevor Story combined to leave five runners on.
While other contending clubs are finding ways to win, the Rockies are finding avenues that lead to losses. The National League standings are reflecting the feat.