The Rockies lose a heartbreaker 6-5 to the Giants on June 11, 2025, after a 9th-inning collapse. Despite Hunter Goodman's homer, the bullpen falters again.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
For eight innings, it felt different. For eight innings, Coors Field had a reason to cheer as the Colorado Rockies held a commanding lead. But in a story that has become painfully familiar, the ninth inning proved to be their undoing once again, as the San Francisco Giants stormed back with four runs to steal a 6-5 victory on Wednesday night.
The Rockies have now lost multiple games this season after leading in the ninth, highlighting ongoing struggles with late-inning relief.
The game was a classic Coors Field rollercoaster. Kyle Freeland set the tone with a solid quality start, navigating six innings while allowing just two runs. The offense, sparked by a monstrous three-run homer from Hunter Goodman in the fifth, built what seemed like a safe 5-2 lead. But the bullpen, the team's Achilles' heel all season, faltered at the final hurdle. Closer Justin Lawrence was unable to secure the save, getting tagged for four runs as the Giants' offense came alive, capped by Mike Yastrzemski's go-ahead RBI single that silenced the home crowd.
In a season starved for good news, rookie slugger Hunter Goodman continues to be a legitimate bright spot. His three-run shot in the fifth inning was his 10th of the season, a powerful blast that showcased his potential as a middle-of-the-order threat. Goodman now leads the team in both home runs (10) and RBIs (37) while maintaining a respectable .280 batting average. His performance is one of the few compelling reasons to tune in, offering a glimpse of a more promising offensive future.
The loss drops the Rockies to a league-worst 12-53, cementing their spot in the NL West cellar. With no trades or roster moves announced, the front office is signaling a commitment to letting this young group work through its struggles. While the present is bleak, hope resides in the farm system. Top prospects like 2024 No. 3 pick Charlie Condon and outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez are developing well, with Fernandez potentially joining the big-league club later this season. For now, fan focus is split between Goodman's at-bats and box scores from the minor leagues.
It's another tough pill to swallow, but the script for the 2025 Rockies is clear: endure the present pain while celebrating the individual growth of players like Goodman. The focus now shifts to finding a reliable arm for the ninth inning and patiently waiting for the future, personified by prospects like Condon and Fernandez, to arrive.
