Rockies Lose Series Finale to Marlins

     The Rockies continued their offensive struggles today against the Marlins as they were stagnant for most of the game and they added a few runs in the ninth inning after the game was already out of reach. Juan Nicasio had a great start and was pitching the best game of the season for him, but it was halted and he was forced to leave the game after seven innings when the game was delayed for an hour and a half because of a rain delay. The Marlins scored one run in the eighth inning and four runs in the ninth inning. The Rockies made it interesting in the ninth inning as they scored three runs and had the tying run at the plate but Jonathan Herrera grounded into a game ending double play. Adam Ottavino took the loss for the Rockies and is now 0-2 on the season with a respectable 2.92 ERA. Dan Jennings got the victory for the Marlins and is 1-1 on the year with a 2.95 ERA.

     Juan Nicasio had a great game going through seven innings before he was forced to leave the game after the rain delay. He finished allowing just two hits, no runs, one walk, and he struck out nine batters. Adam Ottavino came in to pitch the eighth inning and allowed two hits and one run, as the run scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the inning. Wilton Lopez came in to pitch the ninth inning and his nightmare of a season continued. He allowed four hits, and four runs while only being able to record one out. He has been the worst member of the Rockies bullpen this year and he constantly is working with runners on base and can't figure out how to get outs. He needs to be either sent down or shipped out. He has cost the Rockies several games this year and that is something that can't happen for someone coming out of the bullpen in the later innings.

     Offensively the Rockies struggled again as they only had three hits going into the ninth inning. They did break out a bit in the ninth inning as they scored three runs on four hits, but it was too little, too late as Wilton Lopez had already insured the victory for the Marlins. Michael Cuddyer, Wilin Rosario, and Nolan Arenado each had two hits a piece for the Rockies but other than that they were unable to get anything going against the Marlins pitching staff.

     This was a devastating series against the Marlins for the Rockies. Coming into the series the Marlins had not scored a run in over four games, yet they were able to come into Coors Field and take three out of four from the Rockies. The Pitching staff for the Rockies did their job for the most part with the exception of the bullpen (Wilton Lopez). If the offense had been able to produce tot he level that they are accustomed to then they would have easily taken three out of four games.

     Thankfully the series with the Marlins is over and the Rockies can move past that as the Milwaukee Brewers come into town to begin a three game series starting tomorrow night. The pitching match up for the first game of the series is Tyler Chatwood (6-3, 2.48 ERA) for the Rockies will be taking on Wily Peralta (7-9, 4.30 ERA) of the Brewers. First pitch for the game tomorrow is at 6:40 PM mountain time.