Rockies Blow Lead And Lose To Miami 8-5
MIAMI (AP) — Inning after inning, the Colorado Rockies kept pitching out of jams to preserve a lead, until a blooper dropped in shallow left field in the eighth inning for the Miami Marlins.
Christian Yelich's two-out single barely eluded shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to score the tying run, and the Marlins went on to beat Colorado 8-5 Thursday.
"That ball could have been an out," reliever Matt Belisle said. "But it wasn't."
The Marlins overcame a 5-1 deficit, and they were 1 for 15 with runners in scoring position before Yelich's hit. Colorado went on to give up four runs in the inning to lose three of four games in the season-opening series.
"I saw some good things, but it's a bottom-line league," manager Walt Weiss said. "We've got to win."
The Rockies head to Denver for their home opener Friday against Arizona hoping to reverse their slow start.
"It's definitely not how you write it up," Michael Cuddyer said. "Now we've got to look at the Diamondbacks and win that series and get right back where we need to be."
Cuddyer had an RBI groundout in the first inning and two-run homer in the third. Last year's NL batting champion is hitting .412.
Casey McGehee had three RBIs for the Marlins, who scored 27 runs in the series. It took them 14 games to score 27 runs last year, when they finished last in the majors in runs and batting and lost 100 games.
Yelich made the score 5-all with his single off Belisle (0-1). Yelich stole second — with the call confirmed by a replay review — and Jeff Baker walked. Giancarlo Stanton then hit an RBI single after falling behind 0-2, and McGehee followed with a two-run single.
"Belisle almost got through that inning," Weiss said. "Then you got the meat of the order coming up after that. The two-out hit by Yelich was the tough one."
McGehee has eight RBIs and Stanton seven in the season's first week.
"It's definitely different than what we're used to," Stanton said. "It has been fun. We're having a good time."
A.J. Ramos (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth. Steve Cishek followed with a scoreless ninth for his 31st consecutive converted save opportunity, and his second this year.
Franklin Morales allowed three runs in 5 1-3 innings for Colorado. Miami starter Jacob Turner gave up five runs in six innings.
Two calls were upheld after replay reviews that took 2½ minutes and 75 seconds.
Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez made a leaping catch in the third to rob Stanton of an extra-base hit.
Notes: Gonzalez left Wednesday's game in the sixth inning when he became dizzy after accidentally swallowing some tobacco dip. ... Stanton broke his bat on a lineout in the fifth, and on his follow-through the barrel hit C Wilin Rosario in the back of his helmet. Rosario received a visit from the trainer but stayed in the game. ... With an outdoor temperature of 79 for the afternoon start, the retractable roof was closed for the first time this season, but the windows beyond left field remained open. ... Turner came into the game with an .061 lifetime average but doubled in the fourth. ... RHP Tom Koehler is scheduled to start Friday for the Marlins when they begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, who will start LHP Eric Stults. ... RHP Juan Nicasio will start for the Rockies in their home opener Friday against Arizona and RHP Randall Delgado.
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