Colorado Rockies news and links for Friday, May 3, 2024.
As the season of breaking all the wrong records continues, it’s time to track a new stat for the Colorado Rockies: BBMs — boneheaded baserunning mistakes.
On Thursday, as the Rockies set a franchise record for trailing in 31 straight games, which also happens to be all of their 2024 games, the Rockies committed two BBMs. The most costly one happened in the ninth inning when Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Beck led off with back-to-back singles. Jake Cave then bunted to pitcher Anthony Maldonado, who sent an errant throw into left field trying to get Rodgers out at third. Rodgers slid into the base, popped up when the ball flew past and started to head home. He then inexplicably slammed on the brakes, moved back toward third, looked back toward home, hesitated more, and then trotted back to third. By then, Beck was caught between second and third and became an easy out.
This play should have given the Rockies bases loaded with no outs, at the least.
Instead, they leave two runners stranded in the top of the ninth.
Top of the lineup strikes out three times with a runner on 2nd in the 10. That’s 16 Ks against Miami today. pic.twitter.com/D9vV240Fq8
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) May 2, 2024
Instead of scoring the go-ahead run, Rodgers pulled a BBM and killed a would-be rally. Jacob Stallings struck out, and despite an intentional walk to Charlie Blackmon to load the bases, Ezequiel Tovar struck out. No runs. Just another anti-clutch fail as the Rockies went on to lose 5-4 in extra innings for their fifth loss in a row.
The other Colorado BBM happened in the first inning when Ryan McMahon drew a two-out walk. Trying to get an early jump to record his first stolen base of the season, McMahon took off before Miami pitcher Edward Cabrera had committed to pitch. He easily picked off McMahon, setting a bad tone for the game.
The Rockies are now the worst team in the National League and second worst in Major League Baseball at 7-24. Nine of those 31 games have been decided by one run or less. The Rockies are 2-7 in those contests. With that many close games, the Rockies can’t afford to make boneheaded baserunning mistakes.
In 31 games, Colorado has suffered 10 outs on base. This is when a runner is not forced out on base and isn’t picked off or caught stealing either. Instead, this is when a runner is called out by trying to get an extra base on a hit, or unsuccessfully tries to advance on an error, wild pitch, passed ball or fly out. With 10, the Rockies are tied for eighth worst in MLB as the Nationals (14), Cubs (12), Angels (12), Guardians (11), Tigers (11), Astros (11) and Phillies (11) all have more.
Of the 10 outs, five have been at home, two apiece have been on second and third and one has been on first. McMahon’s out in the first inning was scored as a caught stealing, but I think it should go in the BBM category since Cabrera never even pitched the ball.
Some teams have more room for error. They have productive offenses that can overcome mistakes or pitchers that limit other teams’ scoring. The Rockies have neither. They have no margin for error.
Not only are they BBMing, but they aren’t stealing either. Colorado is currently dead last in MLB in stolen bases with 11. They have been caught stealing five times. Even though they have been trying to execute more hit-and-runs lately, it’s not resulting in runs. Having the second most strikeouts in MLB at 314 doesn’t help.
According to FanGraphs, the Rockies have a -3.3 baserunning runs above average mark. Factoring in stolen bases and caught stealing numbers, this means the Rockies have scored negative 3.3 runs compared to the average team because of their performance on the basepaths. That’s the fourth worst in MLB behind the A’s, Yankees and Astros.
It’s clear that wins are going to be few and far between this season. The Rockies can’t afford to throw any potential victories away. They have to reduce the bonehead baserunning mistakes. Otherwise, the only benefit is a possible future sponsorship from Airheads. Right now a patch on their uniforms or a sticker on their batting helmets would be right at home.
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Rockies to call up Angel Chivilli | Purple Row
The Rockies are going all the way to Hartford to temporarily fill a bullpen vacancy when Justin Lawrence goes on the paternity list and will miss the Pittsburgh series. The 21-year-old has made six appearances for the Yard Goats this season and only given up one earned run with eight strikeouts and four walks in 7 2⁄3 innings.
Rockies still looking to turn corner | MLB.com
After being swept by the Marlins on Thursday, the Rockies held a team meeting. Paige Leckie reports that Bud Black would not comment on what was said in the meeting. Astoundingly, Black also said, “Morale is fine.” I tend to lean more toward Leckie’s observations: “The mood in the Rockies’ clubhouse on Thursday afternoon was somber.” How could it not be?
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On the Farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 10, Round Rock Express 9
Jameson Hannah hit a walk-off double on a night when he also homered, drove in three runs and scored two runs to prevent a Round Rock comeback. Sam Hilliard homered and tripled, Aaron Schunk had three hits and three RBI and Grant Lavigne added two hits and scored two runs. The Isotopes took a 9-4 lead into the ninth before the Express tied it up. Lavigne led off the ninth with a single, Jimmy Herron hit a sac bunt to move Lavigne to second to set the stage Hannah’s winning hit.
Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2, Hartford Yard Goats 1
Zac Veen hit his third homer of the season, a solo shot in the but it wasn’t enough to beat the Rumble Ponies on Thursday. Jarrod Cande took a tough loss despite surrendering only one earned run on one hit with six strikeouts and three walks. Binghamton tied it up by capitalizing on a throwing error in the third inning and then took the lead in the sixth by taking advantage of a walk, a hit by a pitch, a sac bunt, a fielder’s choice and a single. The Yard Goats only managed two hits, while the Rumble Ponies hit three.
High-A: Eugene Emeralds 7, Spokane Indians 2
Despite getting eight hits, the Indians couldn’t get that clutch hit on Thursday night. Spokane had its best scoring opportunity of the night when Dylan George led off with a single, Kyle Karros was hit by a pitch and Robby Martin Jr. walked to load the bases with no outs. Juan Guerrero hit into a double play, and even though it scored a run, it took the life out of the rally. Bryant Betancourt and Parker Kelly led the team with two hits apiece.
Low-A: Inland Empire 66ers 3, Fresno Grizzlies 1
Austin Emener had a solid start, giving up only one run on two hits with seven strikeouts and two walks through six innings, but Inland Empire scored two runs in the eighth to win the game. The Grizzlies were held to four hits in the game, including Andy Perez’s fourth homer of the season. Jake Snider added a double.
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