Rockies 5 Diamondbacks 4: A New Low

Kirk Gibson’s D’backs drop to 8-22 after a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks reached a new low with their 5-4 loss to the Colorado Rockies. They are now 14 games under .500 at 8-22 and the free fall doesn’t appear to have an end in sight. You thought maybe things might be different after A.J. Pollock tied the game at 4 with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, Kirk Gibson made another move related to this game that makes you want to beat your head against a table.

Before we get to Gibby, I’d like to point out that nothing screams ineptness more than the D’backs’ bottom of the sixth inning. After Troy Tulowitzki put the Rockies ahead 4-3 with a two-run home run in the top of the frame, Arizona loaded the bases with no outs. Chris Owings grounded into a fielder’s choice with Aaron Hill forced at home, pinch-hitter Roger Kieschnick struck out and Tony Campana bounced out to end the threat. Every team does this at some point in the season; with the Snakes it only magnifies what a disaster 2014 is at the moment.

Mike Bolsinger got the start and while he pitched well for the first five innings, it is getting to be apparent that he has real issues when teams see him the second time through the order. He retired nine of the first ten batters of the game and gave up only two runs in five innings. He failed to record an out in the sixth as Carlos Gonzalez led off with a double, Tulo hit put one out and Justin Morneau and Nolan Arenado recorded back-to-back singles. Bolsinger was then removed in favor of Oliver Perez who pitched beautifully, getting out of the jam without any further damage.

Back to Gibby. Martin Prado had perhaps his best game of the season on Monday scoring three runs. So where did he start the game on Tuesday? The bench. I know Eric Chavez played well in his absence, stroking an RBI single and scoring a run. However, wouldn’t it had been more beneficial to keep Prado in the lineup after struggling for so long and then having a solid game? Then came the top of the ninth and Gibson brings in Addison Reed in a tie game. Knowing his closer’s record in such spots, why bring him in? Why not keep Brad Ziegler in for another inning? You can figure out the rest. The first batter, pinch-hitter Drew Stubbs launches one into the right field stands and after a first and second, one out rally fails in the bottom of the ninth, the D’backs lose another one.

Arizona looks to avoid yet another home sweep on Wednesday by sending Josh Collmenter to the mound against Colorado’s Jordan Lyles. First pitch is set for 6:40 PM MST.

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