Unreal Rebuild: Colorado Rockies' Colorful 21-0 Crash and 8-Game Losing Streak
The tear-down team, or the implosion squad? You decide.
Disastrous 21-0 rout suffered by Colorado Rockies against San Diego Padres signifies a historic low in their disappointing season
DENVER - Struggling to distinguish themselves between rebuilding and imploding, the Colorado Rockies plunged to new depths on Saturday night, blasted 21-0 by the surging San Diego Padres in a game that left manager Bud Black longing for better days.
In a season that's gone from bad to worse, this loss marked Colorado's eighth straight defeat, pushing them to an abysmal 6-33 - a dreadful 39-game start matched only by the 1988 Baltimore Orioles' opening slump.
As the chaos unfolded at Coors Field, even the backup catcher, Jacob Stallings, found himself pitching the final two innings - arguably the most effective performance on the night. Stallings followed infielder Alan Trejo, who had pitched an inning in the nightcap of a doubleheader loss to Detroit just three days prior.
"I ain't got no love for this," grumbled Black. "We got too many guys throwing lately, and we gotta save some arms. This ain't a game you wish on nobody."
The rout narrowly missed surpassing the most lopsided defeat in the league this season, as the Cincinnati Reds had sunk Baltimore 24-2 on April 20.
The Rockies have conceded the most runs in the majors (258), been outscored by a gaping 134, and, apart from the 2023 Athletics, only one team since 1900 has struggled more offensively through 39 games.
Before the game, Rockies' general manager Bill Schmidt insisted, "Buddy's doing his best. The dudes are showing up for work, and they're trying hard."
However, the Rockies suffered another 8-6, 10-inning loss to the AL-leading Tigers on Wednesday, followed by a doubleheader drubbing by the Tigers the next day by a collective score of 21-3.
"We've proven we can play with some teams, but we've made a few mistakes," Schmidt admitted. "Offensively, we haven't dazzled. That's a bummer."
The Tigers and Padres have put on quite a show during this homestand, scoring double-digit runs in every game while outscoring the Rockies 63-18. The team has surrendered six or more runs in every one of its last seven games.
"We're going through this as a team, and it ain't no picnic," declared Stallings. "We've been gabbing about it as a team, trying to find fun where we can. It ain't easy when you're that far behind."
Extra Insights:
The Rockies' current 4-23 record puts them on pace for a historical 24-138 finish, surpassing the 2024 White Sox's record of 41-121. Their run differential of -134 is the second-worst recorded through 39 games since 1900, behind only the 2023 Athletics' -146.
Did you know?
After Stallings' last-ditch effort in the pitcher's circle, Bud Black admitted that in better times, the catcher would have shown off his piano skills in the dugout instead.
Finally, don't forget to check out the new reports on NFL's Cam Skattebo and the NBA's Indiana Pacers, blowing past the Cleveland Cavaliers by a landslide. Cheers!
Despite the ongoing struggles with Colorado Rockies, it's worth noting the contrast in another league, where football, specifically American football, is thriving. NFL's Cam Skattebo and the NBA's Indiana Pacers recently dominated their opponents, outplaying the Cleveland Cavaliers significantly. Meanwhile, back at Coors Field, the Rockies' woes continue with their lackluster performance, especially in comparison to the exciting games in the NFL and NBA. Perhaps better days are awaited in American football than on the baseball field.
