Rockies’ “bridge” relievers collapse Starter Senzatela also stumbles
REDS 12, ROCKIES 8
cincinnati » Solid starting pitching linking directly to the sturdy back of the bullpen has been a big part of the Rockies’ success this season.
But that formula disappeared Saturday when starter Antonio Senzatela stumbled and Colorado’s bridge relievers were torched for eight runs as Cincinnati rallied for a wild 12-8 victory at Great American Ball Park.
“It’s one of those days where they strung some hits together andwe shot ourselves in the foot with a couple of walks,” manager Bud Black said. “You can’t do that.”
The chaotic affair ended thereds’ sevengame losing streak, while the Rockies lost for just the seventh time on the road this season.
The Reds’ six-run sixth inningwas disastrous for Colorado relievers Chad Qualls and Mike Dunn, each ofwhomwas charged with three runs. The Reds slugged Qualls first, with Devinmesoraco leading offwith a home run, trimming Colorado’s lead to 8-5. Another hit and a walk got Qualls the hook after just one-third of an inning, his ERA climbing to 5.19.
Dunn, so good early in the season, didn’t fare any better andwas chargedwith the loss
and the blownsave. The left-hander could only put his hands on his thighs as Scott Schebler’s threerun homer rocketed to deep rightcenter to put Cincinnati ahead 10-8. Dunn gave up just one earned run in April, but since returning fromthe disabled listmay 3 froma midback strain, he has given up six runs, hiking his ERA to 4.85.
Right-hander Scott Oberg (5.50 ERA) also failed to muffle the Reds’ bats, giving up two runs on two hits in the seventh.
Colorado’s offense remained in high gear, pounding out 11 hits. And for the second consecutive game, the Rockies cranked out a big inning to take control, although it didn’t last very long.
“When you put up a big number like that, you want to keep the lead, obviously. But today was a rare occurrence,” Black said.
Colorado sent 12 men to the plate and scored six runs in the fifth to forge an 8-3 lead. Alexi Amarista lucked into a two-run double when left fielder Adam Duvall lost the ball in the sun, and Senzatela ripped a two-run single up the middle for the first two RBIS of his career.
On the mound, however, Senzatela wasn’t sharp and was forced to play traffic cop from the very first inning. He had a few fenderbenders, but he pitched just well enough to keep the Rockies in the game. The rookie right-hander pitched five innings, giving up four runs on five hits, including a solo homer by Eugenio Suarez in the fifth.
Black said Senzatela “learned another lesson today,” to which Senzatela responded: “I have to have better fastball command early in the game.”
Senzatela’s biggest pitch came in the fourth inning. With men on first and third, he coaxed Joey Votto into an inning-ending double play.
Cincinnati scored a run off Senzatela in the second on Suarez’s walk, a fielding error by Amarista at shortstop and a single bymesoraco to drive in Suarez.
The Reds scored two more in the third to take a short-lived 3-2 lead, sending seven men to the plate and getting a sacrifice fly by Schebler and a run-scoring single byjoseperaza. Itwouldhavebeen worse, but Senzatela struck out Mesoraco to end the inning.