Colorado’s slump gets even deeper

MIAMI» Slump, funk, rut, recession, stagnation, downturn. Call it what you will, but the Rockies’ offense is in a terrible place.

Colorado managed just four hits and struck out 14 times in a 3-0 loss to Miami on Sunday afternoon at Marlins Park. Over the course of the three-game series, the Rockies scored two runs, hit .167 (15-for-90) and batted 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Their only victory this past weekend was a 1-0 win vs. the Marlins on Friday.

Sunday, left-hander Caleb Smith, who entered the game 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA, dominated Colorado’s lineup, tossing seven scoreless innings of two-hit baseball, striking out nine and walking only one. He fanned left-handed hitting outfielder David Dahl three times.

Rockies starter Chad Bettis didn’t pitch poorly, by any means, but without any offense to support him, he had to be near perfect. He wasn’t. Brian Anderson led off the second with a single, advanced to second on a grounder and scored on Lewis Brinson’s single.

Miami’s Miguel Rojas ambushed Bettis’ first-pitch slider in the fourth inning for a two-out, solo homer. It gave the Marlins a 2-0 lead, which looked like 20-0 considering the slump Colorado finds itself in.

Over seven innings, Bettis was charged with two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking only one. Though he was saddled with his second consecutive loss, Bettis’ ERA is an impressive 2.43.

Colorado opens a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs on Monday.