Once upon a time, the Blake Street Bombers roamed Coors Field. Not anymore.
The current crop of Rockies often has a hard time hitting its way out of a paper bag. That’s why Dillon Cheer, a recent Arvada West High School graduate and passionate Rockies fan, showed up at Coors Field wearing a grocery bag over his head as a personal protest.
It didn’t help, at least not much.
The Phillies beat the Rockies, 7-4. Philly had 17 hits, Colorado eight. Philly struck out five times, Colorado 11. It marked the 21st time this season the Rockies have had double-digit strikeouts. Only the Angels (27) and Red Sox (25) have more.
Left fielder Jordan Beck, one of Colorado’s few productive hitters, struck out three times. So did first baseman Michael Toglia, whose 71 Ks (at a 38% clip) are the most in the majors.
With an 8-40 record — the worst 48-game start in history — the Rockies continue to set a torrid pace toward the worst record in Major League Baseball’s Modern Era (since 1901).
Colorado did get some offense from right fielder Tyler Freeman, who hit 3 for 4 and was central to two mini-rallies. He singled home Brenton Doyle in the fourth and scored in the seventh when he doubled and was driven in by Adael Amador’s single.
Colorado put together a too-little, too-late rally in the ninth, getting RBI singles from Mickey Moniak and Ryan McMahon.
Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela continued to struggle. He entered the game with a 1-7 record, 6.39 ERA and .381 batting average against. He pitched six innings, gave up four runs on 10 hits, and departed the mound with a 6.34 ERA and .380 average against.
The Phillies scored three runs in the first inning on four hits, the key hit being a two-run double by Bryce Harper.
Philly put the game away with a three-run seventh that included a 430-foot solo homer to center field by slugger Kyle Schwarber off lefty reliever Ryan Rolison. Schwarber has launched 17 homers this season, including a 466-foot blast to right field in the Phillies’ 9-3 win over Colorado on Monday night. Alex Bohm and Brandon Marsh added RBI singles in the Phillies’ seventh.
Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo toyed with the Rockies for six innings, allowing one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts. He did walk three, but he was never in trouble as his ERA dipped to 1.95.
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