The boos at Coors Field hadn’t even faded before the Colorado Rockies were hit with another harsh reality. That, even after their worst shutout, the front office gave manager Bud Black a public vote of confidence.
On Saturday, the Rockies were dismantled by the San Diego Padres in a 21-0 blowout. It was the largest shutout in Coors Field history. Plus, it’s the third largest in MLB since 1900! The Rockies fell to 6-33, matching the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst 39-game start in modern baseball history.
So you are probably wondering—things must be getting intense, right? Well, GM Bill Schmidt just made it clear—he is okay with how things are and isn’t ready to make a change.
Schmidt, without mincing words said, “I think our guys are still playing hard, and that’s what I look at. Guys are working hard every day; they come with energy, for the most part. I don’t think we are [at that point of firing Black]. Guys still believe in what we are doing and where we are headed. We are all frustrated.” Still, after eight years, Schmidt is standing by his manager to make a change.
However, in the frustration department, it is understandable. Saturday’s 21 runs marked the Colorado Rockies’ eighth consecutive loss and fourth straight game allowing at least 10 runs. It’s also a franchise first! Rockies’ Bradley Blalock gave up 12 runs in just 3 ⅔ innings, tying a franchise record. Meanwhile, the Padres piled on with 24 hits, five home runs, and a historic offensive day.
Rookie right-hander Stephen Kolek made his second MLB start and tossed a complete-game shutout. For the first time since 1889, a team has scored 20+ runs and had its starter throw a full nine-inning shutout. And it was also Colorado’s catcher, Jacob Stallings, who pitched the final two innings to stop the bleeding. But still, Schmidt has the back of his team and is trying to encourage the fans. “I feel for the fans, I feel for the people around here. We’re not good right now. We have to battle through it and get to the other side.”
Now, Bub Black might have survived now, but with a large part of the season remaining, the room for error is getting smaller by the day.
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