Rockies strike out 14 times, waste Chase Dollander’s strong start in loss to D-backs

One big swing and 14 whiffs doomed the Rockies on Sunday afternoon.

Dominated by veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly, the Rockies were blanked, 1-0, by the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Colorado managed just three hits and was shut out for the seventh time.

“(Kelly) is a really good pitcher,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer told reporters in Phoenix. “We were ahead in a lot of counts today, but we just didn’t capitalize on balls in the zone to hit. He changes speeds so well. He nibbles. He’s just a really good pitcher, and we didn’t have an answer for him today.”

The game’s only run came on Ketel Marte’s one-out homer off Rockies rookie right-hander Chase Dollander in the first inning. From that point on, it was a game of zeroes, and Dollander showed why he’s got the stuff to be Colorado’s No. 1 pitcher of the future. Perhaps he is already.

“Honestly, every time out there is a growth moment and I’m always learning something,” Dollander told Rockies.TV after pitching 4 2/3 innings. “Today, especially, was a huge mental test — and I think I did a good job.

“I didn’t have my stuff, and I was fighting cramps pretty much all game, and I didn’t feel the best coming into it. I just had to grind through it and try to get through five (innings).”

In a microcosm of this season of miscontent, Colorado struck out 14 times for the third time in its last four games. The Rockies’ 8-38 record is the worst in the modern era (since 1901) through 46 games.

The Rockies had a huge chance in the ninth against reliever Shelby Miller, loading the bases on a single by Kyle Farmer, a double by Hunter Goodman and an intentional walk to Ryan McMahon. But Miller got the slumping Brenton Doyle to pop out, and Michael Toglia lined out sharply to shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to end the game.

“If that ball Mike hits in the ninth gets through? We probably win that game,”  Schaffer said.

Doyle is hitting 5 for 36 (.138) over his 10 games and .135 over his last 24 games since coming off the bereavement list.

Pinch runner Tyler Freeman (running for Farmer) might have had a chance to score from first on Goodman’s double, but he held up, waiting to see if Arizona right fielder Corbin Carroll made the catch. Carroll could not, but Freeman had to stop at third.

A day after they exploded for five homers and 19 hits in a 14-12 victory over the Diamondbacks, the Rockies had no chance vs. Kelly, who allowed one hit over seven innings. Kelly was sensational, mixing and matching all of his pitches. His 11 K’s were one short of his career high.