The Rockies’ road to ruin, and quite possibly the first 100-loss season in franchise history, continued Wednesday afternoon at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
The Rockies rallied late but could not overcome another poor start by Chase Anderson, losing 6-4 to the Astros.
Colorado has lost 10 consecutive road games, its longest road losing streak since dropping nine straight Sept. 15-30, 2012.
Speaking of numbers, the Astros certainly have the Rockies’. The defending World Series champions are 21-5 in their last 26 games against Colorado and have won nine straight at Minute Maid.
During their 10-game skid away from Denver, the Rockies have been outscored 74-33, and their starters have posted an 11.14 ERA with only three starts of five or more innings.
Colorado, at least, showed some fight in this one. Down 5-0 after four innings, the Rockies scratched out two runs in the fifth off J.P. France on RBI singles by Harold Castro and Jurickson Profar to make it 5-2.
A two-out solo homer by C.J. Cron in the sixth, and a leadoff shot by Randal Grichuk in the seventh, cut the Astros’ lead to 5-4.
But Houston secured a comfort run off Pierce Johnson in the bottom of the frame, stringing together singles by Corey Julks, Jermey Pena and Mauricio Dubon.
Anderson gave up five runs on seven hits over four innings. All five runs came via home runs: a one-out solo blast to left by Yanier Diaz in the second; a two-run shot to left by Diaz in the fourth; and a two-run line homer into the right-field seats by Pena, also in the fourth.
When the Rockies picked up Anderson off waivers from Tampa Bay in May, they were hoping his veteran know-how would help stabilize the shaky rotation. Anderson did that for a bit, but his last four starts have been a disaster. He’s pitched to an 18.23 ERA, serving up eight home runs. Overall, he’s now 0-4 with a 6.89 ERA.
With a 33-55 record, the Rockies are a season-worst 22 games under .500 and on pace to finish the season 61-101.
The Rockies’ road continues Friday in San Francisco when they open a three-game series with the Giants before the All-Star break.
Pitching probables
The Rockies are off on Thursday.
Friday: Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (6-7, 6.64 ERA) at Giants TBA, 8:15 p.m., ATTRM
Saturday: Rockies RHP Connor Seabold (1-5, 6.62) at Giants TBA, 2:05 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-9, 4.93) at Giants RHP Logan Webb (7-7, 3.38), 2:05 p.m., ATTRM
Monday-July 13: All-Star break
