Homer Bailey Keeps Colorado Rockies Off Balance As The Cincinnati Reds Take The Series

May 11, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Homer Bailey releases a pitch against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies (23-17) were handed their first series loss since Apr. 11-13th as the Cincinnati Reds came away with the 4-1 win. Also, they came into the game with seven consecutive series wins which was snapped Sunday afternoon.

The Reds were quick to strike in the bottom half of the first inning as center fielder Billy Hamilton reached on a bunt single that later advanced him to third on the throwing error from first baseman Justin Morneau. Skip Schumaker would collect an RBI ground out to second base plating Hamitlon to give the Reds the early 1-0 lead.

Cincinnati was at it again in the bottom half of the third inning as Ramon Santiago singled to lead off the inning against Rockies starter Juan Nicasio. Reds pitcher Homer Bailey would lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Santiago to second with one out. Nicasio would go through his motions on the next batter and would hesitate, getting called for a balk as Santiago moved to third. Skip Schumaker would come up big with a two-out RBI single to center scoring Santiago to take the 2-0 lead.

The Colorado Rockies were in need of a lift on the offensive end as Charlie Blackmon led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to right for his 9th of the season, reducing the lead to one. In the bottom half of that inning, Nicasio would serve up a fastball down the middle to Todd Fraizer who made him pay, sending a solo-shot over the fence in center to get the run back.

Colorado’s sloppy play continued into the fifth inning as Ramon Santiago led off the inning with a double to right. Homer Bailey would collect another sacrifice bunt, moving Santiago to third. The next batter Billy Hamilton would be walked and would easily steal second without a throw, putting runners at second and third with one out. Nicasio would get a key strikeout on Skip Schumaker for the second out of the inning, bringing up Brandon Phillips. Phillips would hit one to third on a routine play but Nolan Arenado took his time with the throw that was offline, scoring Santiago to take the 4-1 lead.

What more could you say about Homer Bailey’s winning performance Sunday afternoon? The right-hander pitched 7 1/3 innings, giving up just four hits, one run, one earned (HR to Charlie Blackmon), two walks while striking out six batters. Juan Nicasio was on the losing end but didn’t pitch all that bad. He would end up going six innings, giving up five hits, four runs, two earned, one walk while striking out three.

Notable Rockies Hitters:

• Charlie Blackmon: 1-for-4, HR.
• Michael McKenry: 1-for-4, 2B.

Rockies Pitchers:

• Juan Nicasio (L, 4-2): 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO. 93 pitches, 63 strikes.
• Chris Martin: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO.
• Adam Ottavino: 1.0 IP, 1 SO.

The Colorado Rockies (23-17) fall to the Cincinnati Reds, 4-1. They have an off-day Monday as they travel to Kansas City for a two-game set with the Royals. Rockies will send lefty Franklin Morales (3-2, 5.18 ERA) to the hill in place of Jorge De La Rosa who is dealing with a tight lower-back. Royals will counter with James Shields (4-3, 2.70 ERA). First-pitch on Tuesday night will be scheduled for 8:10 PM ET, 6:10 PM MT.