Rockies Fail to Secure Series Win With Loss
It might be time for the Rockies to start asking what is wrong with Jon Gray.
The Colorado hurler lasted just 3-1/3 innings versus the Giants, surrendering six hits, three walks and four earned runs.
Gray’s bad outings are starting to outnumber the good.
For their part, the team has been patient with Gray’s inconsistent performance. Manager Bud Black, a former MLB pitcher himself understands Gray. He sees a sometimes impulsive young man that doesn’t always see the long game. His pitch count through his 3.1 innings was a whopping 91. If they can coax Gray into keeping little mistakes little, per Black’s instruction (thanks to The Athletic-Denver and Nick Groke), his power should carry him and the Rockies to much higher success.
Offensively, the Rockies got off to a great start with Blackmon, Cuevas, Arenado, Story and Desmond all getting hits. Nolan’s was his 11th HR of the season and scored Cuevas, Blackmon and himself.
The hits would continue in the second with Dan Castro singling and being driven in by another Blackmon rip.
Unfortunately, those are the only four runs the Rockies would score and it was not enough to hold off the Giants when the wheels came off for Gray.
In the Giants fourth, after coaxing Brandon Crawford into a groundout to second, Gray surrendered a double to Mac Williamson. A sac bunt and three walks later, the score was 4-4 and The Gray Wolf was out-to-pasture.
Harrison Musgrave took the mound in the fourth and to start the fifth he hit Brandon Belt with a pitch. Rockies-killer Evan Longoria followed with a triple to score Belt and then Crawford followed with a single to score Longoria. Giants 6 Rockies 4. Musgrave gave the Giants the lead and took the loss.
On the good side, Ian Desmond had another two-hit day, bringing his season average to .194. The Rox played another error-free game, remaining second in the NL in the category.
Next the Rockies welcome the LA Dodger to Coors Field after a day-of-rest. The series begins at 6:40 on Friday.