To quote Casey Stengel, manager of the infamous 1962 Mets: “Can’t anybody here play this game?”
Too harsh to apply to the Rockies? Probably. But it might be apropos for the 2021 road Rockies who failed to score a run while getting swept in a doubleheader at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park Saturday.
On an appropriately gloomy-and-drizzly day, the Rockies lost 4-0 in Game 2, managing just two hits. They were blanked, 7-0, in the opener, getting only four hits. It was the first time in franchise history the Rockies were shut out in both games of a doubleheader. This season, however, each game of a doubleheader is only seven innings in length.
“We’re just not doing a good enough job right now — as a group,” said veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon. “Individually, we have some guys swinging the bats pretty good. But if you look top to bottom, we have kind of hit a lull with a lot of guys all at the right time.”
Keep in mind that the Rockies (19-34) were swept by the Pirates (20-31), who entered Saturday having lost six consecutive games.
Colorado fell to 3-22 on the road and was shut out for the 10th time away from Coors Field this season; the seventh time in May. They have been outscored 127-59 on the road.
There is an old adage that says that hitting is contagious, but slumps can spread, too.
“I think that’s true,” manager Bud Black said. “The guys who aren’t hitting are maybe trying a bit too hard. It can work both ways.”
The Rockies now hold the dubious record for becoming the first team in major-league history to go 10 consecutive games on the road with three or fewer runs with six or fewer hits.
Left-hander Austin Gomber didn’t pitch poorly in Game 2 — three runs allowed over four innings on five hits with five strikeouts — but he had no margin for error. So mistakes cost him dearly.
Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier drilled Gomber’s first pitch of the game, an 88 mph fastball, into the right-field seats. Ka’ai Tom hit a two-out, solo homer off Gomber in the fourth.
“I wasn’t as sharp, obviously, as I have been the last couple times out,” said Gomber, who had allowed three earned runs combined over his previous three starts (1.40 ERA), with 21 strikeouts and two walks. “My delivery felt a little bit off, but I thought I did a decent job escaping some spots and keeping us in the game as long as I could.”
In Game 1, the Rockies managed just four hits off Pirates right-hander JT Brubaker, who struck out five and walked one in six innings.
The Rockies had a chance to break the goose egg in the sixth when they loaded the bases after Raimel Tapia singled, Ryan McMahon doubled and C.J. Cron was hit by a pitch. But the trio was stranded when both Blackmon and Brendan Rodgers flew out to right field.
Jon Gray gave the Rockies a lackluster start in Game 1, getting the hook after three innings that required 73 pitches. He gave up three runs on four hits, walked three and struck out two. Gray owns a 2.36 ERA at Coors Field this year but a 6.75 road ERA.
“I know it’s my command,” Gray said, trying to explain the disparity. “I’m still searching for that one thing I need to find that’ll help me locate.”
Gray’s fastball has been consistently running off the plate on the road this season and it’s clearly frustrating him.
“It’s been something I’ve had to adjust to in the past,” Gray said. “But I don’t think I’ve ever been this bad on the road. I feel like my stuff has moved more on the road, even breaking balls. But right now it seems like only my fastball is moving on the road.”
Two walks, including one to Brubaker, set up the Pirates’ three-run second inning.
The Pirates battered seldom-used reliever Jhoulys Chacin for three runs in the fifth, the big blow a two-run homer to deep right field by Bryan Reynolds. Chacin, who has a 6.75 ERA, had not pitched in 11 days.
On Deck
Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (0-0, 2.25 ERA) at Pirates TBD
11:05 a.m. Sunday, PNC Park
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Freeland makes his second start since coming off the injured list. The left-hander suffered a strained left shoulder during spring training. On Tuesday against the Mets, Freeland allowed one run on four hits, with four walks and four strikeouts over four innings. He was limited to 74 pitches. In four career starts vs. the Pirates Freeland is 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA, with 13 strikeouts and nine walks. Freeland is 0-2 with an 8.38 ERA in two starts at PNC Park.
Trending:Colorado has lost six in a row to the Pirates, who have won 23 of 34 games dating back to 2015.
At issue: Heading into Sunday’s final game of a seven-game road trip, the Rockies are hitting 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position on the trip.
Pitching Probables
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Rangers RHP Dane Dunning (2-4, 4.75) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (3-5, 4.47), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Rangers TBD at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (1-5, 4.97), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
Thursday: Rangers RHP Jordan Lyles (2-4, 5.79) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (4-5, 3.71), 1:10 p.m., ATTRM
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