Reds 6, Rockies 4: Amador’s big day not enough to win the game

Adael Amador slugged his first career home run in three-hit game

It wasn’t quite the 14-inning affair 30 years ago, but the Colorado Rockies (4-22) did battle at the plate but ultimately fell 6-4 against the Cincinnati Reds (14-13). Despite the efforts of Adael Amador’s three-hit performance, strikeouts plagued the Rockies as they struggled against the Reds’ bullpen.

Senzatela’s Average Day

After an incredible start at Coors Field in his last outing, Antonio Senzatela wasn’t able to replicate that success in this appearance. He wasn’t terrible by any means, but home runs proved to be the deciding factor working against him in the game.

Noelvi Marte struck first in the second inning, clubbing a two-run home run off of a 91.4 mph sinker that ran down and in. It wasn’t a bad pitch by any means, but Marte got the bat to the ball to give the Reds an early 2-0 lead.

The other two home runs against Senzatela came courtesy of Austin Hays. In the top of the fourth, Hays took advantage of a slider hung over the middle of the plate to give the Reds a 3-2 lead at the time. In the sixth inning got hold of a high fastball for another solo home run to once again give the Reds the lead, 4-3.

Senzatela followed up by surrendering a base hit that ended his day. Still, he went five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks. He induced seven groundouts and left after throwing 94 pitches.

Equalizer Long Balls

The home runs from Hays hurt because they came after the Rockies had tied the game thanks to long balls of their own.

After the two-run homer by Marte in the top of the second to take the lead, the Rockies responded with a two-run home run courtesy of Michael Toglia, his second of the season. It’s been a slow start to the season for Toglia, but after a solid performance on Friday, Toglia squared up a first-pitch slider, sending it 457 feet to center field to tie the game 2-2. The exit velocity was 107.4 mph with a launch angle of 30 degrees and was considered a home run in all 30 ball parks.

The other home run came in the fifth inning to tie the game a 3-3 thanks to rookie second baseman Amador. He has also struggled to find his footing at the major league level in his brief experience, but he has showcased plenty of power potential in the minors with over 40 home runs. He got around on a slider inside, the sixth pitch of the at-bat, and just got it over the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. It was the first home run of Amador’s career.

Battle to the end

After Senzatela was lifted from the game, Jake Bird and Seth Halvorsen delivered three scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

Trailing by one, Bud Black turned to Tyler Kinley to pitch the ninth and things got out of hand for the veteran right-hander. The Reds scratched across two runs on three hits, taking advantage of a pair of walks to take a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

After two quick outs, Nick Martini drew a walk, followed by an RBI double from Amador to bring the tying run to the plate in Brenton Doyle, who struck out to end the game 6-4. On the day Amador went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base.

Strikeouts strike back

After drawing seven walks the day before, the Rockies managed just the lone walk in the game as strikeouts continued to rain down. It was to be expected with Hunter Greene on the mound as he tallied eight punchouts. The Rockies did manage the three runs on seven hits against him, but they managed just one hit against the bullpen, striking out four times to bring their total to 13 in the game.

Up Next

The Rockies and Reds will round out the series on Sunday, as Ryan Feltner will take the mound and square off against Nick Lodolo.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.

★ ★ ★

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!