The Rockies blew a late lead in a 4-3 loss to the Reds on July 12. Yanquiel Fernández's RBI double wasn't enough as the bullpen faltered in Cincinnati.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a familiar, painful story for the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. For a fleeting moment, it looked like they had it. A late lead on the road, a chance to secure a series win, and a bit of momentum heading into the All-Star break. But in a gut-wrenching 8th inning, the bullpen faltered, and a 3-1 lead evaporated into a 4-3 loss against the Cincinnati Reds, dropping the Rockies to a dismal 22-73 on the season.
Zac Veen is slashing .484/.514/.806 with four doubles, two home runs, and six RBI during his nine-game hitting streak in Triple-A.
The game at Great American Ball Park felt winnable for most of the evening. Starter Bradley Blalock navigated the Reds' lineup effectively, allowing just three runs over 5.2 innings in a performance that deserved a better fate. The offense clawed its way to a lead in the top of the 7th when rookie Yanquiel Fernández scorched a 106.6 mph double to score Brenton Doyle, putting Colorado ahead 3-1. But the hope was short-lived. The bullpen couldn't hold the line in the 8th, allowing the Reds to rally for the go-ahead runs and sealing another frustrating defeat.
While the loss stings, Friday's victory did provide one small, strange silver lining. With their 22nd win of the season, the Rockies officially avoided tying the MLB record for the fewest wins before the All-Star break, a dubious honor held by the 1945 Phillies and 1952 Pirates, who each had just 21. It's not the kind of milestone any team aims for, but in a season like this, fans will take any small victory they can get.
For those searching for genuine optimism, look no further than the farm. Down in Triple-A, the Albuquerque Isotopes are putting on a show. Zac Veen is on an absolute tear, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Meanwhile, veteran Keston Hiura has reached base in an incredible 29 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the PCL, hitting .336 during that span. Beyond them, the system is brimming with talent like top prospects Robert Calaz and recent draft pick Charlie Condon, who are giving evaluators and fans alike hope that the long-term outlook in Colorado is much brighter than the current standings suggest.
The Rockies will look to salvage the series finale in Cincinnati tomorrow before heading into the All-Star break. While the present is undeniably tough, the blistering performance of prospects in Albuquerque and beyond offers a compelling reason to keep watching. The wins may be scarce now, but the foundation for a brighter future is being laid, one scorching-hot hitting streak at a time.
