Rock bottom: Colorado shut out again on Sunday, swept in St. Louis
May 10, 2021, 6:44 AM
Nolan Arenado reminded the Rockies what they’d cast aside on Sunday, homering in the second inning and scoring off a Yadier Molina double in the fourth to represent both Cardinals runs in their 2-0 shutout, completing their weekend sweep of the Rockies.
“It was definitely weird,” Arenado admitted. “Obviously, I know a lot of those guys. At the end of the day, it was a great series to win.”
German Marquez took the loss on Sunday, but seemed to right the ship following some poor outings of late. Arenado’s homer was the only earned run he allowed in six innings, scattering six hits and three walks while striking out six Cardinals.
“I left the bad outings back,” Marquez said. “Mentally, I just went out and pitched my game. That was a much better game, and I hope that I keep throwing some good games.”
St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright shut the misfiring Rockies’ offense down, allowing only three hits in 8 1/3 innings while striking out five.
The Rockies, Major League Baseball’s worst road team (2-14), will return home for a three-game series against the explosive San Diego Padres, matching up with the National League’s newest contenders for the first time this season.
***
NEXT UP: Rockies (12-22, 5th in NL West) vs. Padres (19-16, 2nd in NL West) | Monday, May 10 at 6:40 p.m. | COL: Jon Gray (4-2, 3.12 ERA) vs. SD: Dinelson Lamet (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
***
NOTES
• Charlie Blackmon’s bat continues to heat up following a 1-for-3 day with a walk on Sunday. Blackmon’s now on a five-game hitting streak, going 8-for-19 (.421) with seven RBI over that span, raising his season average to .231 in the process. Prior to beginning the stream last week, Blackmon was hitting only .188.
• Though German Marquez was solid on Sunday, Rockies’ starting pitchers have found hitter-happy Coors Field more friendly than the road this season. Rockies starters have a disastrous 6.81 ERA on the road, compared to 3.94 at home.
• Connor Joe made his second start of the season Sunday after starting on Saturday, as well. Joe went only 1-for-5 (.200) at the plate in his two starts, but drew four walks for an impressive on-base percentage of .555.
• Yency Almonte, who had been on the injured list since Apr. 29 with a bruised right hand, was reinstated on Sunday. Reliever Justin Lawrence, (0-0, 8.31 ERA) was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque.
• Nolan Arenado had mixed feelings hitting a home run Sunday off of his longtime teammate and friend, German Marquez. “It was kind of weird hitting one off Marquez,” Arenado explained. “That’s my boy, man. I love that guy. He’s a great pitcher, and I think he’s going to be really good for a long time. But that was a little weird, because there’s few other people I’d rather hit a home run off of than ‘Marqy.'”
***
THE FINAL WORD
“We had some opportunities we couldn’t cash in. They had some opportunities also to stretch their lead, and they didn’t do it, either. German (Marquez) did a nice job of keeping the game close. So I guess you can look at it as a well-pitched game by both teams.” — Rockies manager Bud Black.
***
STARTING LINEUP
LF Raimel Tapia
SS Trevor Story
2B Ryan McMahon
RF Charlie Blackmon
1B Connor Joe
3B Josh Fuentes
C Elias Diaz
CF Yonathan Daza
SP German Marquez
***
INJURY WATCH
• Carlos Estevez (strained right middle finger) was placed on the 10-day IL on May 3, retroactive to April 30.
• Antonio Senzatela (strained right groin) was placed on the 10-day IL on May 1. He is expected to miss only one or two starts.
• Kyle Freeland (strained left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1. He has been throwing bullpen sessions and is expected back in early May.
• Brendan Rodgers (strained right hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1. He has been practicing and could potentially return in early May.
• Chris Owings (left thumb surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-April and will likely be out until the All-Star break.
• 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.
***
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.
