Diamondbacks Frustrated After Another Tough Loss To The Rockies

Their most recent loss followed a similar script to the Braves series.

Apr 8, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Scott McGough (30) is pulled in the 6th inning. / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks losing streak is now at five games after a 7-5 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field Monday night. The loss marked the first time since 1999 that the D-backs lost their first four road games of a season. Manager Torey Lovullo reiterated postgame that they are a good team and that the storm is coming, but can't seem to get things moving in the right direction.

It followed equally as frustrating a script as the previous series against the Braves. The bullpen failed to hold another late lead and the offense disappeared late. Handed a 4-3 lead in the 6th, the Rockies scored three runs off Scott McGough and Joe Mantiply. It started with a leadoff walk, three pitches after it appeared McGough had rung up Nolan Jones on a splitter that clipped the outside edge. Two hits and another walk later, the Rockies had loaded the bases with two outs. After a pitching change, it took Mantiply three hitters to record the final out. An infield single and a bases-loaded walk, the D-backs trailed 6-4.

The bullpen has struggled to step up in the absence of their closer. During this losing streak, Arizona's relief pitchers have collectively allowed 18 runs in 16 1/3 innings and have taken four of the five losses. McGough has taken three of those losses. The bullpen has had to work particularly hard early in the season, with four relievers appearing in at least five of the team's first 11 games.

"I'm sure they're frustrated, we are too," said Lovullo. "We've got the guys, we've got to keep using them. We can't always go to the backend guys when we're either ahead or behind."

The poor night from the bullpen was magnified by the offense having another tough night in the late innings. In their first 10 games, the D-backs have hit .128 with a .449 OPS and scored just five runs in innings 7-9. After a four-run 4th inning against Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, they only had two more hits for the rest of the game.

A bad night from the bullpen and the starting lineup overshadowed a pretty gutsy start from their ace, Zac Gallen. Gallen struggled with command in this game, often frustrated with his curveball, but gritted through five innings. Gallen allowed three runs on eight hits, but also struck out 10 and didn't walk a batter. The last two innings were a particularly tough grind, as he needed 50 pitches to complete the 4th and 5th inning. He threw 40 curveballs on the night, tying a career-high set April 10th of last season.

The D-backs entered the 9th inning trailing 7-4, but were able to get some late life in the game. Facing Nick Mears, who was looking for his first career save, they got walks from Jace Peterson and Kevin Newman to get the tying run up to the plate and the lineup turning over to the top. After a strikeout and a deep fly ball to center field, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. picked up the team's first hit since the 5th inning to make it 7-5. Walker walked to load the bases for Eugenio Suarez, who made a bid for a go-ahead extra base hit to the right center gap but it was run down by Jake Cave for the final out.

The D-backs will turn to Merrill Kelly to stop this losing streak. They'll need a deep start from Kelly to help alleviate a bullpen that's been under siege for the last five games. He'll be opposed by right-hander Cal Quantrill. First pitch at Coors Field will be 6:40 PM local time, 5:40 PM Arizona time.