The Colorado Rockies are never going to be known as a pitching juggernaut. Between Coors Field, a general inability to bring quality arms to Colorado, and a myriad of other reasons, great pitching and the Rockies go together like oil and water or logic and a cult member.
Even with their history of horrendous performances on the mound, there are those moments in time that cause one to take a step back and gaze in admiration and awe. Such was the case recently when the Rockies allowed 39 runs in a 30 hour span against the Marlins and Braves.
Colorado Rockies show astonishing ineptitude on mound
That would be an average of 1.3 runs per hour, every hour. Some Rockies pitcher likely gave up a run while this article is being read. However, in another amazing sidenote, the Rockies actually won one of those games as Brendan Rodgers finally had his breakout moment in Colorado.
It should not be that much of a surprise that the Rockies pitching staff finally melted down like the Number 4 reactor at Chernobyl. As a team, the Rockies have a 5.34 ERA, ahead of only the Reds thus far. When Chad Kuhl is statistically a team’s best starter, there are problems.
On the opposite side of the coin, the Rockies may have been exactly what the Marlins needed. Those 39 runs accounted for 12.2% of their runs scored thus far this season, a surprisingly large amount considering that the Marlins have played 49 games to this point. Their disappointing offense certainly received a boost in those few hours.
The Braves offense had also been disappointing thus far as they have battled injuries in the outfield. A trip to Colorado was just what they needed, as their 13 runs on Thursday was their second highest total of the season, trailing a 16 run explosion against the putrid Patrick Corbin and the Nationals. At least Colorado’s pitchers were better than that.
The Rockies had appeared as though they were taking steps in the right direction. By locking in their core, and adding Kris Bryant, they had started to show signs that maybe they could contend soon. Yet, even with those moves, the pitching staff will always be a potential problem, and one that could explode at any time.
The Colorado Rockies allowed 39 runs in a 30 hour time frame over their last three games. Chances are, the Marlins and Braves just scored against them again.