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Articles by Patrick worked
Rockies’ 100th loss comes vs. in blowout vs Dodgers, naturally
Thanks to veteran right-hander Chase Anderson and rookie left fielder Nolan Jones, the Rockies were able to stave off the inevitable. For a few hours, anyway. After defeating the Dodgers, 4-1, in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader at Coors Field, the Rockies were clobbered in Game 2, losing 11-2. And so, for the first time in their 31 seasons of existence, the Rockies lost 100 games. Fittingly, No. 100 came against the Dodgers, who have dominated the Rockies for most of those 31 years.
Rockies set franchise record for most losses in a season, fall 4-3 to Cubs Original
The Rockies made the wrong kind of history Sunday afternoon. With their 4-3 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the Rockies lost for the 99th time, clinching the worst season in franchise history. The 2012 club held the previous dubious distinction, going 64-98. And there is another historical footnote to add to Colorado’s dismal season. Sunday’s loss was their 10th straight on the road marking the third time this season that the Rockies had a road losing streak of 10 games.
Rockies, haunted by walks and a lack of clutch hitting, lose to Cubs, drop sixth straight
The Rockies’ 6-3 loss to the Cubs Saturday was a microcosm of their season-long ineptitude. Relievers issued costly walks and the lineup hit 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position as the Rockies lost their sixth consecutive game and inched closer to the first 100-loss season in franchise history. With eight games remaining, they are 56-98. With the game tied 3-3 in the seventh, reliever Nick Mears issued three consecutive walks, throwing 12 balls on 13 pitches, to be exact.
Rockies Journal: Road hitting woes continue — except for Nolan Jones Original
Somebody forgot to tell Nolan Jones that the Rockies can’t hit away from Coors Field. Entering Saturday’s game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, the rookie outfielder was slashing .285/.368/.536 with nine home runs on the road. Those numbers are on par with his home numbers: .284/.383/.503, eight home runs. That balance is another reason why Jones gets my vote for Rockies MVP, beating out shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.
Rookies Hunter Goodman, Brenton Doyle homer but Rockies’ five-game winning streak ends
The Rockies’ best run of the season came to a halt with an 11-10 loss to the Giants on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field. But not before the Rockies scored four runs in the ninth to put the Giants against the ropes. The Giants held on for the victory when Taylor Rogers got Charlie Blackmon to line out weakly to second base. The Giants really won the game when their bats came out of hibernation and they sent 12 men to the plate in an eight-run sixth inning.
Blake Street Bombers: Rockies “need to bully” teams at Coors Field Original
“Like classic rock.” That’s how Rockies Hall of Famer Larry Walker referred to the Blake Street Bombers Saturday when they gathered at Coors Field as part of the franchise’s ongoing 30th anniversary celebration. Joining Walker were Dante Bichette, Ellis Burkes and Vinny Castilla. The only player missing from the festivities was Andres “The Big Cat” Galarraga, who’s proven quite elusive in his post-baseball, always-on-the-golf-course life in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Ezequiel Tovar leads Rockies to 9-5 win over Giants in first game of doubleheader
The Rockies’ one-two rookie punch KO’d the Giants in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Coors Field. Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar hit a three-run triple and drove in a career-high four runs, and left fielder Nolan Jones tripled and scored three times as Colorado rolled to a 9-5 victory. The Rockies won their fourth consecutive game, tying a season-best streak set way back on April 30 to May 4.
Elehuris Montero emerges as late-season surprise Original
Elehuris Montero is proving me wrong. I was beginning to have doubts that the Rockies’ first baseman would ever make it in the big leagues. I was starting to believe he was a Quadruple-A player who would fade away and become a footnote in the trade that sent Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals. It was already clear that Montero wasn’t going to make it as a third baseman and his play at first was sketchy. His at-bats were painful to watch.
Rockies take no-hitter into ninth, rally for wild win over Giants
The Rockies nearly pitched a group-effort no-hitter at Coors Field Friday night. Then nearly lost the game. Then they proceeded to post a wild, 3-2 victory over the Giants on Elehuris Montero’s two-run single in the ninth off closer Camilo Doval. Charlie Blackmon led off the inning with a double, then Nolan Jones drew a one-out walk. Montero, who’s been sizzling at the plate, drove the ball into left field, scoring Blackmon.
Rockies swept by Giants as strikeouts continue to pile up Original
The Rockies’ offseason to-do list is a lengthy. Like “War and Peace” lengthy. Two items near the top of that scroll were illustrated in the Rockies’ 6-3 loss to the Giants on Sunday night at Oracle Park before a national TV audience on ESPN. The Rockies struck out a total of 12 times as San Francisco rookie right-hander Keaton Winn set a career high with nine K’s over his six innings.
Rockies’ growing pains continue with ugly 9-1 loss to Giants Original
Growing pains. On a scale of 1-10, the reeling Rockies are hovering at about a nine right now. They got spanked, 9-1, by the Giants Saturday night at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Yes, those Giants, who entered the weekend series suffering from a six-game losing streak and a nasty case of anemic offense. The Rockies, playing a lot of young position players and using a passel of rookie relievers, were the perfect prescription for the Giants’ woes.
Rockies Journal: German Marquez’s contract a win-win — if right-hander produces
German Marquez wanted to stay with the Rockies. That became clear in the weeks and months following his Tommy John surgery in May. The jovial right-hander was in the clubhouse nearly every day, joking with his teammates, and being a part of things, even though his right arm was in a brace. So I was not at all surprised that Marquez and the Rockies agreed to a two-year contract extension on Friday. Neither was manager Bud Black.
Rockies blow two big leads, lose to Giants in San Francisco Original
It was an unusually wild Friday night at Oracle Park. Home runs were flying. There were six dingers overall in what’s typically a pitchers’ paradise during night games. But there was nothing unusual about what happened to the Rockies, who fell apart late and lost 9-8 to the Giants. The silver lining? Rockies rookie outfielder Nolan Jones was once again the best player on the field. But then, that’s becoming a common occurrence.
Rockies, German Marquez agree to two-year contract extension
The Rockies and right-hander German Marquez have agreed to a two-year contract extension, the club announced Friday. Marquez, 28, underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in May and will miss a good chunk of the 2024 season. But the new deal takes him through the 2025 season with the Rockies. Exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The team’s opening-day starter went 2-2 with a 4.95 ERA over four starts before his elbow injury ended his season.
Blue Jays' All-Star Kevin Gausman returns home to face the beast of Coors Field Original
Rockies left-hander Ty Blach remembers well an at-bat he took against Kevin Gausman way back in the day. Blach was a senior at Regis Jesuit High School. Gausman was a junior at Grandview. “I was hitting against Kevin and I remember thinking, ‘I’ve never faced a fastball like that before,’ ” Blach said Sunday before the Rockies hosted the Blue Jays at rainy Coors Field. “He must have been throwing a 95 mph fastball. I hit a foul ball home run off him, somehow. I turned on one, I don’t know how.
Rockies lose 7-5 as Blue Jays score twice in ninth off Justin Lawrence
The bullpen blues struck the Rockies again on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Coors Field. Toronto scored two runs off struggling closer Justin Lawrence in the ninth inning en route to a 7-5 victory that earned the Blue Jays a series victory in the three-game set. The clutch hits came from Whit Merrifield and Ernie Clement, who delivered back-to-back RBI singles. Lawrence also walked Spencer Horwitz in the inning. Colorado wasted another big day from a rookie.
Brenton Doyle's three-run triple leads Rockies over Blue Jays
Brenton Doyle is quickly gaining a reputation as the best young defensive outfielder in the majors. But the Rockies’ rookie center fielder wants to be so much more. So it was quite understandable that Doyle pumped his fist after sliding into third base with a bases-loaded triple in the fifth inning. Doyle’s three-run missile off the right-field wall was the key hit in Colorado’s white-knuckle, 8-7 victory over the Blue Jays Saturday night at Coors Field.
Rockies' bullpen falls into a deep funk as losses mount Original
Watching the Rockies’ bullpen is not for the squeamish. The Rockies entered Saturday night’s game vs. Toronto at Coors Field having lost 10 of their last 11 games. The Rockies held the lead in the sixth inning or later in seven of those 10 losses. The bullpen’s performance Friday night in a 13-9 loss to the Blue Jays was especially gory.
Rockies Journal: Ezequiel Tovar team MVP? Kris Bryant’s productivity? Peter Lambert’s future? Original
A month’s worth of questions as the Rockies begin September baseball: • Will the Rockies lose 100 games for the first time in franchise history? They entered the weekend with a 49-84 record (.368) and on pace to finish 60-102. To avoid 100 losses, the Rockies must finish with a 14-15 record in September. • Will the Rockies top last year’s attendance mark at Coors Field? Given their record and quality of play, you wouldn’t think so, but there is a chance it will happen. Entering the weekend series vs.
Nolan Jones' big night wasted as Rockies' bullpen collapses vs. Blue Jays
Friday night’s feature attraction followed the same, tired old plot. Rockies’ bullpen collapses late, Rockies lose again. This time, 13-9, to Toronto in front of 27,397 fans at Coors Field. At least Friday night’s coming attraction was entertaining. Rookie left fielder Nolan Jones launched a three-run, two-out home run in the sixth inning to give the Rockies a short-lived 5-4 lead. Jones, acquired from Cleveland during the offseason, continues to show signs that he could be a future star.
Rockies swept by Atlanta Braves, lose 20 games in August for first time
The dog days of summer are taking a big bite out of the raw, young Rockies. It isn’t pretty to watch. The Braves beat the Rockies 7-3 Wednesday night at Coors Field to complete a three-game sweep and send the Rockies to their 11th loss in their last 14 games. Colorado has lost nine in a row and 13 of its last 14 games vs. Atlanta. The loss also dropped the Rockies to 7-20 this month, marking the first 20-loss August in franchise history.
Five rookie starters, strong start by Ty Blach lift Rockies past Orioles
BALTIMORE — The Rockies’ kids were more than all right on a steamy Sunday afternoon. With five rookies in the starting lineup, including first baseman Hunter Goodman who sparkled in his major league debut, the Rockies beat the Orioles, 4-3, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The victory snapped Colorado’s six-game losing streak, and a 10-game road losing skid as well. Lefty starter Ty Blach did the heavy lifting, pitching seven innings of three-hit ball.
Rockies blow early lead to Orioles, lose sixth consecutive game Original
BALTIMORE — The Rockies are struggling mightily in the school of hard knocks. Despite a solid start from right-hander Chris Flexen, despite an early 2-0 lead, and despite an eighth-inning rally, the Rockies once again failed the test. They fell, 5-4 to the Orioles Saturday night before a raucous sellout crowd of 42,535 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Rockies, relying more and more on young players, have dropped six consecutive games and have lost 10 straight on the road.
Rockies Journal: Would Colorado’s first 100-loss season matter? Original
BALTIMORE — Will the Rockies lose 100 games for the first time in franchise history? Does it even matter? The math is simple but the issue is not. To avoid 100 losses, the Rockies, with a 48-80 record through Friday night, must win at least 15 of their final 34 games. That’s no easy task for a team that entered Saturday night’s game against the Orioles riding a five-game losing streak. Of the Rockies’ remaining eight opponents, only one, the Padres, has a losing record.
Rockies lose fifth straight as bullpen falters again vs. Orioles Original
BALTIMORE — The gut punches keep coming for the reeling Rockies. The Orioles staged an eighth-inning rally Friday night for a 5-4 victory. Gunnar Henderson ripped a two-run homer off reliever Brent Suter for the tying and go-ahead runs, sending the crowd at Oriole Park at Camden Yards into a frenzy. Suter hung a 1-0 slider and Henderson didn’t miss. The Rockies’ losing streak grew to five games, and it’s the most brutal stretch of the season.
Charlie Blackmon: “Definitely possible I’ll play for Rockies next season” Original
BALTIMORE — Charlie Blackmon played his 1,470th game for the Rockies Friday night. He’s hoping for a lot more. Blackmon, 37, is in the final five weeks of the six-year, $108 million contract he signed in 2018. But he’s hoping to return to the Rockies on a new deal next season, which would be his 14th with the only major-league club he’s ever known. “There is definitely a possibility I’ll come back,” Blackmon said before starting in right field against the Orioles.
Rockies implode in eighth, again, lose 12-4 to Rays Original
It was déjà vu all over again for the Rockies on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. It was a double dose of ugly. And it was a stark reminder that the Rockies remain light years away from becoming a competitive team. The Rockies entered the eighth inning with a 4-3 lead over Tampa Bay. They ended up losing, 12-4, as the Rays pounded Colorado’s bullpen for nine runs on eight hits, a walk and a hit batter.
No sweep for Rockies as bullpen implodes in loss to White Sox
To shamelessly steal a phrase from Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi: “No sweep for you!” Sunday afternoon, the Rockies were on track for just their second three-game sweep of the season. They led the White Sox, 5-3, entering the eighth inning at Coors Field. Then, “yada, yada, yada,” it all fell apart. Chicago teed off on relievers Matt Koch, Justin Bruihl and Justin Lawrence in a seven-run inning to pocket a 10-5 win. Koch gave up four runs on three hits and a walk.
Rookies Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jones are Rockies’ guardian angels in the outfield Original
Silver linings are tough to find during a Rockies season clouded by mounting losses. But last Tuesday night, in an 8-5 loss to Arizona at Coors Field, four highlight-reel moments captured the talents of rookie outfielders Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones. The quartet of plays also served as a reminder that speedy, athletic players are essential to a Rockies rebuild. Think of them as Colorado’s guardian angels in the outfield.
Colorado Rockies' hot bats finally get Kyle Freeland in the win column Original
A bright rainbow appeared over Coors Field Saturday night and Kyle Freeland finally got some run support. A sign from the baseball gods or a mere coincidence? Either way, Freeland got his long-awaited W in the Rockies’ 11-5 victory over the fading White Sox. Freeland (5-13, 5.02 ERA) wasn’t super sharp, giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings and needing 95 pitches to get there. But he walked only one while striking out six.
Rockies Journal: Todd Helton, at 50, is on Hall of Fame’s doorstep
Todd Helton played his final game Sept. 29, 2013, at Dodger Stadium. Nearly 10 years ago. He turns 50 on Sunday. It doesn’t seem possible. Helton returned to Coors Field on Saturday as part of the Rockies’ season-long 30th-anniversary celebration. Helton was, well, Helton. No. 17 hates talking about himself, and he’s never been comfortable in front of TV cameras, but he answered questions while sitting in the Rockies dugout surrounded by reporters, microphones and cameras.
Rockies rout White Sox behind Peter Lambert’s seven strong innings, prolific offense
The first pitch Peter Lambert threw Friday night was a 90.6 mph meatball over the heart of the plate. White Sox shortstop Elvis Andrus smacked his lips, took a big swing and sent the ball 439 feet to center for a leadoff homer. It looked like it might be one of those games for Lambet. Except that it wasn’t. He was cushioned by a prolific night from the Rockies’ offense, as well as stellar backing from his defense, Lambert was superb in the Rockies 14-1 victory at Coors Field.
Rockies lose again to D-backs, are on record pace for NL West futility
As the Rockies flirt with the first 100-loss season in franchise history, they are sinking rapidly into National League West oblivion. On a 95-degree Wednesday afternoon, they lost a 9-7 Coors Field slugfest to the Diamondbacks. The loss dropped the Rockies’ record to 2-8 against the D-backs this season and left the Rockies a combined 8-27 against all of their NL West foes. That .229 winning percentage vs. the West is the lowest in franchise history.
Rockies Mailbag: What is going on with Colorado’s high strikeout totals? Original
Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag. Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag. What is going on with the Rockies hitters and the strikeouts? They already don’t hit for power, but don’t make contact either. I understand having young guys, but other teams do too, and don’t seem to swing and miss at the rate the Rockies do. Wasn’t Hensley Meulens brought in to address this? — Jason, Tulare, Calif.
Ty Blach gives Rockies strong start, but bullpen collapses in loss to D-backs
The Rockies’ 2024 rotation picture looks murky, but left-hander Ty Blach is making his pitch to be a part of it. The Denver native and Regis Jesuit graduate made another strong start Tuesday night, but the Rockies’ bullpen collapsed in the ninth inning, leading to Arizona’s 8-5 victory at Coors Field. The Diamondbacks stung closer Justin Lawrence for five earned runs on five hits in the ninth inning, including a two-run double by Ketel Marte.
Rockies swept by Dodgers, strike out 49 times, walk twice in four games Original
The Rockies’ 10-game road odyssey began with promise in St. Louis. It ended with a strikeout-filled reality check at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles beat the Rockies 7-3 Sunday afternoon to complete a four-game sweep in which Colorado hitters struck out 49 times and walked only twice. That’s right, twice. The Dodgers extended their season-best winning streak to eight games. Colorado fell to 1-8 vs. L.A. this season.
Lifeless Rockies' offense falters again against red-hot Dodgers Original
Solid starting pitching? Check. Good defense? Check. Productive offense? Next question, please. You guessed it, the Rockies lost at Dodger Stadium, again, falling 4-1 on Saturday night in Los Angeles. The red-hot Dodgers, winners of a season-high seven consecutive games, own a 29-9 record against the Rockies in L.A. since 2019.
Rockies Journal: Ryan Feltner takes big steps three months after skull fracture
In the blink of an eye, Ryan Feltner’s life was upended. His season, his career and even his long-term well-being were put in jeopardy May 13 at Coors Field. For those who saw the game live, or later on replays, it was a chilling moment. Now, remarkably, Feltner is edging closer to returning to the big-league mound. In a difficult Rockies season colored by injuries and mounting losses, Feltner’s comeback is something for fans to hold on to. For Feltner, returning this season is vital.
Rockies squander chance, strike out 16 times in loss to Dodgers Original
You wouldn’t know it by the 6-1 final score, but the Rockies actually had a sliver of a chance to capture a rare victory at Dodger Stadium Friday night. In the fourth inning, the Rockies tied the game, 1-1, combining a leadoff single by Ezequiel Tovar, a walk by Ryan McMahon, an infield hit by Brendan Rodgers, and a throwing error by Los Angeles third baseman Enrique Hernandez. With runners on second and third and nobody out, Colorado needed one clutch hit to take charge.
Rockies lose to Dodgers, 2-1, as Daniel Bard walks in game-winning run Original
The Rockies’ margin for error is always razor thin. When they face the mighty Dodgers, it’s pretty much nonexistent. Exhibit A: an excruciating 2-1 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday night in Los Angeles. Reliever Daniel Bard, who’s struggled with walks much of the season, issued a bases-loaded walk to Max Muncy in the eighth inning to force in the go-ahead run.
Rockies lose to Dodgers, 2-1, as Daniel Bard walks in game-winning run
The Rockies’ margin for error is always razor-thin. When they face the mighty Dodgers, it’s pretty much nonexistent. Exhibit A: an excruciating 2-1 loss to the Dodgers on Thursday night in Los Angeles. Reliever Daniel Bard, who’s struggled with walks much of the season, issued a bases-loaded walk to Max Muncy in the eighth inning to force in the go-ahead run.
How Rockies’ Austin Gomber turned around his season to become team’s best starter
Rockies lefty Austin Gomber has turned his season around. How did he do it? The words of Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux are a good place to begin. “The best pitchers have a short-term memory and a bulletproof confidence,” Maddux once said. And here’s another gem from Maddux’s philosophy: “It’s hard to know what people really expect of you, and I’ve never tried to live up to expectations anyway. That’s no way to play baseball.” Gomber learned those lessons the hard way.
Rockies walk to a bizarre, 7-3, 10-inning win over Brewers
This was a different kind of walk-off win. You might even call it bizarre. The Rockies beat the Brewers 7-3 Tuesday by scoring four runs in the 10th inning. The Rockies had just one hit in the inning — a perfect bunt single by Brenton Doyle to load the bases — and cashed in on four Milwaukee walks. Andrew Chaffin walked two and forced in a run with a walk. Abner Uribe walked two and forced in two more runs via walks.
Brewers’ Freddy Peralta dominates Rockies, strikes out 13 in seven innings
Brewers veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta stared down the Kid Rockies Monday night. It was not a fair fight. Peralta dominated with a capital D, tying a career-high with 13 strikeouts over seven innings in Milwaukee’s 12-1 cruiser at American Family Field. Peralta allowed just one hit, didn’t walk a batter, and set down the final 20 hitters he faced. He threw 31 swing-and-miss pitches. In other words, he was close to perfect.
Austin Gomber leads Rockies to first series win in St. Louis since 2009
The last time the Rockies won a series in St. Louis, Austin Gomber was a sophomore at West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Fla. That was in 2009. But Gomber’s six-inning gem on Sunday afternoon was the foundation for the Rockies’ nail-biting 1-0 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, enabling Colorado to take two of three games over the weekend. Gomber, the former Cardinal who came to Colorado in the infamous Nolan Arenado trade in 2021, delivered another stellar start.
Rockies can’t solve Cardinals’ Steven Matz, lose 6-2 in St. Louis
Business as usual in St. Louis. After beating the Cardinals 9-4 Friday night to end a 12-game drought at Busch Stadium, the Rockies fell 6-2 on Saturday night. There were a couple of Colorado highlights. Third baseman Ryan McMahon hit the 100th homer of his career, crushing a 424-foot solo shot in the eighth off reliever Andre Pallante. In the second inning, center fielder Brenton Doyle made a sensational diving catch to rob Nolan Gorman of extra bases.
Rockies Journal: 100 losses, Kyle Freeland’s quote and two emerging stars
Some observations as the Rockies enter the final third of their season. • A few weeks ago, manager Bud Black asked me why I kept writing about the Rockies being on track for a 100-loss season. I told him I thought it was a relevant measuring stick regarding the direction of the team because the team has never had 100 losses. I’m not sure he bought my argument.
Rockies finally beat Cardinals, snap 12-game losing streak in St. Louis
The Rockies have had a nasty case of the Redbird flu, seemingly forever. They snapped out of it in a big way Friday night. Riding a bounce-back start from right-hander Chris Flexen, and beating up Adam Wainwright early and often, the Rockies beat the Cardinals, 9-4, at Busch Stadium. It was Colorado’s first win in St. Louis since July 31, 2018, snapping a string of 12 consecutive losses at Busch.
Rockies’ Michael Toglia, Elehuris Montero getting their chance at first base
Nearly a decade after Todd Helton retired, the Rockies are still searching for their next great, long-term first baseman. For now, Colorado simply needs a temporary solution, with the hope that someone might eventually develop into both a solid defender and a consistent force at the plate. When veteran C.J. Cron was traded to the Angels on Sunday, the door of opportunity swung open for Michael Toglia and Elehuris Montero.
Rockies suffer painful, 11-1 loss to Padres at Coors Field Original
As the Rockies take baby steps toward a youth movement, growing pains are to be expected. But their 11-1 loss to the Padres on Wednesday afternoon was agonizing. Playing on their home turf, the Rockies managed just four hits against five San Diego pitchers, struck out 15 times and hit 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Lefty Kyle Freeland continues to be haunted by a shocking lack of offensive support.
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