Over the weekend, the Colorado Rockies were the home team at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City for their two-game series against the struggling Houston Astros. There was a lot to expect from both of these ball clubs, as the intensity and energy from the Mexico City crowd should have riled these teams up to play at their best. However, the Rockies were no match for the Astros’ 20 runs and 23 hits through their two-game series. Colorado would fall in both games in Mexico’s capital, 12-4 and 8-2. These losses give the Rockies their 20th and 21st losses of the season. Only two other teams, the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins, have recorded more losses in the regular season. As for the Astros, they snapped a five-game losing streak with their crushing win on Saturday.
Rockies Take 20th & 21st Loss of the Season in Mexico City
The struggles for the Rockies’ starting pitchers have been truly evident early on. Over this weekend, it was no different. On Saturday, starting pitcher Cal Quantrill pitched five innings. He allowed six runs on six hits, and two walks while only striking out two batters. Rockies reliever Tyler Kinley pitched one-third of an inning, the top of the ninth. Kinley allowed four runs on four hits, walking two during this devastating defeat for the Rockies. In the next game, Austin Gomber pitched seven innings, allowing four runs, six hits, and two strikeouts. Reliever Jake Bird gave up four runs on one hit in just two-thirds of the eighth inning. Colorado’s pitching staff has had its problems through the first month of the season, but through that time, the starters or relievers in the bullpen haven’t had much or any improvement in their game.
As we soon head into May, the Rockies must look to start contending with their opponent every game and be a step ahead of every opportunity they can muster together. Colorado’s offense has also struggled through the first 28 games of the season. 29-year-old third baseman Ryan McMahon went 2-for-6 in this series with two runs batted in. Nolan Jones was the only Rockies player with a multi-hit game during the first game in Mexico City, as he went 2-for-4 with a walk. However, he went just 1-for-2 during game two. First baseman Elehuris Montero has a lot to prove since Michael Toglia‘s demotion to Triple-A. Montero went 1-for-9 in this series with just one run batted in.
For the first time since 1910 and only the second time in the history of the baseball, the Colorado Rockies have trailed in all 28 games to start a season.
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) April 28, 2024
Can the Rockies Step Up Heading Into May? How About the Astros?
Through the first 28 games of the regular season, the Rockies have faced some stiff competition, such as last year’s National League champions in the Arizona Diamondbacks, the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners, and the 19-10 Philadelphia Phillies. Colorado heads to Miami to take on the Marlins in a three-game series. The Marlins will head into this series with a record of 6-23. Miami is just 2-14 at home. The Rockies must take advantage of the Marlins’ poor play in Miami and build a winning streak they can feel confident about. It’s a must that Colorado shows they’re a better team than what their record has shown.
Before this series, Houston struggled tremendously. After Saturday’s win, they snapped a five-game losing streak and walked away from Mexico City with a two-game win streak in hand. After struggling all throughout April, it will be interesting to see if Houston has what it takes to turn things around and rise back to the top of the AL West standings. Their next series is against the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians. If the Astros can take this series, perhaps the month of May will give them an early bloom full of much-needed victories.
Photo Credit: © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
