Justin Morneau swings a bat on May 18, 2014.
(Photo courtesy of William Andrus/Wikimedia commons)
Game 1: Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 4. The highpoint in the series for the Rox was definitely the first game, as they earned their only win while in Arizona. The offense got things going early, putting up three runs in the first inning thanks to a blast to center from first baseman Justin Morneau. Morneau, who’s recently started to look more and more like his 2014 NL Batting Champion self, went 2-3 with a walk and three RBIs in the game.
Starter Tyler Matzek was decent enough, but again, he had a short outing that lasted only five innings. He only threw 80 pitches but earned the win, while still allowing two earned runs on five hits, walking three and striking out the same.
The Rockies added another run in the second off an RBI single by outfielder Corey Dickerson to score Matzek. Later, in the sixth, third baseman Nolan Arenado hit a sacrifice fly to plate shortstop Troy Tulowitzki who had reached second with his tenth double of the season.
The Diamondbacks fought back, though. They got a run off of Rockies’ Brooks Brown who relieved Matzek, and later made it 5-4 when they scored a run in the eighth because of an error by Tulo.
Closer John Axford came in the ninth to shut things down, and despite allowing two hits, he notched his third save of the season.
Game 2: Rockies 5, Diamondbacks 12. Starter Kyle Kendrick had another rough outing. He lasted 4⅓ innings and gave up eight runs on 10 hits, two of them being home runs. Reliever Christian Bergman relieved him in the fifth, allowing another run over 2⅔ innings. After Bergman exited, Jorge Rondon took the mound for the Rox and was torched in the bottom of the eighth, allowing three runs in the inning.
There was a scary moment at the top of the second when a line drive off of outfielder Carlos Gonzalez’s bat struck D-Back’s pitcher Archie Bradley violently in the cheek. CarGo called Bradley later that night to check up on him. Thankfully, Bradley is expected to make a quick recovery; he even tweeted a picture of his swollen face after the game.
Offensively, the Rockies were led by outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who went 3-5 with two RBIs and Morneau, who stayed hot by also going 3-5 with an RBI.
Game 3: Rockies 1, Diamondbacks 9. The Rockies lost the final game of the series due to one bad inning. With the score 2-1 headed into the D-Back’s half of the fifth inning, Rockies’ starter Jordan Lyles was pounded for five runs. Lyles had walked the bases loaded when Yasmany Tomas hit a two-run single. Jordan Pacheco followed him with a three run shot to left center. Lyles exited after five, surrendering six earned runs on seven hits. He walked five and punched out only one while taking the loss.
The Rockies’ only run came off an Arenado RBI single in the first inning.
Series Positives: Justin Morneau went 5-12 with four RBIs in the series, which raised his batting average to .301. Leadoff man Charlie Blackmon was also solid, going 5-14 with two RBIs. CarGo continues to make slow progress. He’s finally raised his batting average over the Mendoza Line (.200), but struck out five times in the series.
Series Negatives: Pitching was lackluster. The Rox’ starters did not get very far into the games. In each of the three games the bullpen was called to pitch four plus innings. Lyles’ erratic fifth inning of game-three was discouraging. Management hopes it won’t be a regular occurrence but if he continues to walk the bases loaded, expect Manager Walt Weiss to start considering starting Christian Bergman again.
The Rockies continue their road trip with a three-game series in San Diego vs. the Padres, starting Friday night. First pitch is at 8:10 p.m. MST with Eddie Butler taking the mound for the Rox.
Contact CU Independent Rockies Beat Writer Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo.
