After last night's victory with an offensive output of 15 runs, the Colorado Rockies couldn't follow it up with a second win in a row. Instead, the St. Louis Cardinals sent the Rockies to their 12th one-run loss, 4-3 in 18 games.
The Cards jumped out to an early 3-0 lead when Jon Jay hit a two-run home run and Yadier Molina hit an RBI single off of Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin. Colby Rasmus hit his fourth home run of the season in the fourth inning to finish St. Louis' scoring for the days. Chacin left the game after six complete innings, having allowed four runs (three on two homers) and striking out seven.
Eric Young Jr. put the first Rockies run on the board on a sac fly in the fourth inning, but it was the seventh frame when the Rockies had their best chance to deal some damage. Todd Helton led off with a double and then scored on a Ty Wigginton single. Ryan Spilborghs walked and Chris Iannetta walked to load the bases. Jason Giambi entered as a pinch-hitter for reliever Matt Reynolds and struck out swinging. Young hit into an inning-ending double play in the next at-bat.
The Rockies added a third run when Eric Young Jr. singled in Ryan Spilborghs in the bottom of the ninth. Young moved to third on a Dexter Fowler single, but Carlos Gonzalez grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game.
The Rockies (25-27, 13-15 home) trail the NL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks by 3.5 games. Colorado begins a road trip on Memorial Day with a game against the Dodgers.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. To learn about the Cardinals head over to Viva El Birdos and SB Nation St. Louis.