Rockies barely avoid being no-hit in embarrassing loss to Dodgers
Apr 14, 2021, 6:46 AM
For the second game in a row, the Rockies were shut out in California. On Sunday, it was a 4-0 loss in San Francisco to complete a three-game sweep for the Giants. On Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the Rockies looked well on their way to another one after being pummeled 7-0 by the Dodgers.
Starter Antonio Senzatela struggled and was pulled by manager Bud Black after only 2 2/3 innings in which he allowed five runs (four earned), walked two and surrendered three home runs on only 73 pitches.
“I just made three mistakes, and they hit them pretty good,” Senzatela said. “If I make mistakes against this team, they for sure hit them out.”
Not that it mattered. The Rockies’ punchless offense was on display once more, striking out a dozen times against Dodgers pitchers Trevor Bauer, David Price and Scott Alexander, drawing only a pair of walks and earning only two hits — both from leadoff man Garrett Hampson.
Things won’t get easier on Wednesday against starter Dustin May and the Dodgers’ potent offense, but the Rockies’ Jon Gray — their best pitcher thus far this season — presents the best chance for success on what could quickly become a disastrous road trip.
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NEXT UP: Rockies (3-8, 5th in NL West) at Dodgers (9-2, 1st, NL West) | Wednesday, Apr. 14 at 8:10 p.m. | COL: Jon Gray (1-0, 1.54 ERA) vs LAD: Dustin May (1-0, 0.00 ERA).
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NOTES
• Since the start of the 2019 season, the Rockies are 8-26 against the Dodgers. Calling it a “rivalry” at this point strains credulity.
• Garrett Hampson went 2-for-4 with a strikeout on Tuesday. The rest of the Rockies? A combined 0-for-26 with 11 whiffs.
• The Rockies’ offense doesn’t have a single qualifying hitter batting over .300; Ryan McMahon is the closest at .293. The Dodgers have six — Max Muncy (.400), Justin Turner (.378), Corey Seager (.366), Mookie Betts (.321), Zach McKinstry (.310) and Chris Taylor (.300).
• The Dodgers’ worst qualifying hitter, A.J. Pollock, is hitting .229. The Rockies have five qualifying hitters under .200 — Josh Fuentes (.189), Charlie Blackmon (.171), Sam Hilliard (.143), C.J. Cron (.138) and Elias Diaz (.091).
• Antonio Senzatela has a 0.00 ERA against the Diamondbacks after throwing eight scoreless innings last week. In two games against the Dodgers, however, Senzatela’s ERA is a stratospheric 16.50 after surrendering 11 earned runs in six combined innings.
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THE FINAL WORD
“I made too many mistakes early in the game, so they hit it out real quick. It’s all on me, making mistakes early. I put myself in bad situations.” — Antonio Senzatela.
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INJURY WATCH
• Chris Owings (right hamstring soreness) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 10.
• Kyle Freeland (strained left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1. He is expected back in early May.
• Brendan Rodgers (strained right hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1.
• Scott Oberg (blood clots) had surgery prior to the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Mar. 27 and his season is in doubt.
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STARTING LINEUP
CF Garrett Hampson
2B Ryan McMahon
SS Trevor Story
RF Charlie Blackmon
1B C.J. Cron
LF Raimel Tapia
3B Josh Fuentes
C Elias Diaz
P Antonio Senzatela
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Shawn Drotar is the host of “The Fan Late Night with Shawn Drotar;” weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight — only on 104.3 The Fan. Follow him on Twitter at @sdrotar.
