The Colorado Rockies fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday, 10-7. With the loss, the Rockies have now dropped nine straight games.
Colorado held a 4-3 lead at the start of the eighth inning, but normally-reliable setup man Matt Belisle imploded. Belisle allowed hard-hit singles to John McDonald, Wil Nieves and Mike Jacobs before surrendering a three-run home run to Aaron Hill with two outs in the inning
Arizona's late rally wiped out the Rockies' own comeback attempt, as the Rox erased a 3-0 deficit by putting up three runs in the fifth inning against the D-Backs' Ian Kennedy. Consecutive RBI singles by Charlie Blackmon and Jordan Pacheco got the Rockies to within one, and a run-scoring double from Wilin Rosario tied the game. Blackmon would give Colorado the lead an inning later, as his bloop single plated DJ LeMahieu.
Unfortunately for the Rockies, they were unable to contain Hill, who had three hits, including the big blow in the eighth. Former Rockie Wil Nieves had a terrific day as well, going 4-for-5 with a double.
Rosario continued his red-hot series, as he produced his third consecutive three-hit game. He is 9-for-12 in the series. LeMahieu also had three hits, while Blackmon, Pacheco and Josh Rutledge contributed two hits apiece for the Rockies, who rallied to make the game respectable in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Jeff Francis started for Colorado, and allowed two runs on five hits in four innings. Adam Ottavino's recent struggles continued on Sunday, as he allowed two hits and two walks in the fifth inning, but escaped with only one run against him. That was due in part to the fact that he struck out three batters in the inning.
The Rockies and Diamondbacks will meet on Monday at 6:40 p.m. MT for the series finale. Tyler Chatwood (4-5, 5.73 ERA) will be responsible for trying to snap the Rockies' skid, while Trevor Cahill (12-11, 3.89 ERA) will be on the mound for Arizona.
For more on the Rockies, be sure to visit Purple Row. Additional coverage on the D-Backs can be found at AZ Snake Pit, while Baseball Nation is the place to go for news and analysis from around the league.