The Colorado Rockies scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Monday night, but it was not enough to overcome an early deficit against the Seattle Mariners at Coors Field as the Rockies fell 8-7.
Seattle jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first three innings, knocking around Rockies starter Eddie Butler who earned his eighth loss on the season. Butler allowed seven runs on seven hits, including three home runs, in just four innings pitched.
Six Rockies had multiple hits, including Charlie Blackmon, who was 4-for-6 but could not deliver in his final at-bat – a game-ending flyball out with the tying run at third and the winning run on first.
Colorado trailed the entire game after Butler allowed four runs in the top of the first inning. Jose Reyes scored Blackmon with a single in the bottom of the inning to give the Rockies a spark, but Seattle starter Felix Hernandez was able to limit the damage – the story of the night.
The Rockies out hit the Mariners 18-12 in the game, including 11 hits off Hernandez in just 6.2 innings pitched, just the third time he has allowed double digit hits this season. Hernandez and the Seattle bullpen, however, was able to strand 12 baserunners in the game. Colorado was just 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Seattle, meanwhile, was 4-for-7 with RISP and scored all eight of their runs with two outs.
Jose Reyes had two hits and two RBI in his Coors Field debut, but did not score and stranded four runners. He notched his 18th stolen base of the year in the fourth inning.
The Rockies and Mariners continue the three-game set on Tuesday as Jon Gray, Colorado’s No. 1 draft pick (third overall) in 2013, makes his highly-anticipated Major League debut. Gray is 6-6 with a 4.33 ERA in 20 starts at Triple-A Albuquerque this year. First pitch from Coors Field is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. MDT.
