Rockies waste Brenton Doyle’s third-career multi-homer game in pitching staff’s latest implosion
Jeff Dean
Weather delayed the inevitable.
Cal Quantrill’s rocky start was cut short because of rain and ineffectiveness in Cincinnati before the bullpen’s latest struggles cost the Rockies a possible comeback in a 12-6 loss. They inched within a run after the rain passed but relievers Justin Lawrence and Peter Lambert combined to allow six runs to ruin the club’s chances.
It was the Rockies eighth consecutive loss at Great American Ball Park.
Outfielder Brenton Doyle’s historic stretch went to waste too. He became the first Colorado hitter in franchise history to have five home runs, five doubles, and five walks in an eight-game span thanks to his third career two-homer game Tuesday.
Reds 12, Rockies 6
What happened: Cal Quantrill’s wayward command cost the Rockies early before the bullpen’s struggles continued in a lopsided loss that included a weather delay.
On the mound: Quantrill walked a hitter and hit another as part of five earned runs allowed in two innings. He gave up a pair of home runs in his shortest outing of the year to raise his earned run average to 4.13. Reliever Peter Lambert suffered a similar fate with a pair of runs allowed across three innings before Justin Lawrence set a career-high with 46 pitches en route to four earned runs allowed and two home runs. His ERA is up to 6.34. All four Colorado pitchers allowed a run Tuesday.
At the plate: Outfielder Brenton Doyle hit his fifth and sixth July home runs (13 total) in his third career two-homer game. He also doubled to tie his career high with 10 total bases and became the first Colorado hitter in franchise history to rack up five home runs, five doubles, and five walks in an eight-game span. Michael Toglia hit his 11th home run and has seven since he was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. Ezequiel Tovar broke a 30 at-bat hitless streak with a seventh-inning single. The Rockies had 10 hits, three walks and 11 strikeouts.
What’s next: Colorado Rockies (LHP Kyle Freeland, 0-3; 6.62) at Cincinnati Reds (RHP Frankie Montas, 4-6; 4.19) on Wednesday at 5:10 p.m. at Great American Ball Park (Rockies.TV).