It was already apparent that offense has been a struggle for the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies this season but it was quite evident on Monday night as the game would require extra innings to break a 1-1 tie.

The Rockies were almost able to escape a jam in the bottom of the 10th to keep the game going, but a two-out Cristian Pache single to right field scored the winning run from third base to walk off the Rockies by a score of 2-1. 

The Rockies have now dropped their third game in a row and drop to 4-13 on the season while the Phillies improve to 9-8 on the year.

Pitching was the name of the game as both teams had excellent starting pitching performances. Cal Quantrill started on the mound for the Rockies and delivered his second consecutive quality start of the year after tossing six innings, allowing just one run on four hits with two walks and a strikeout on 90 pitches. While the strikeouts weren’t evident he induced eight ground outs along with four fly outs.

The lone run against Quantrill occurred in the third inning when Trea Turner, who went 1-for-4 on the day, hit a double and scored on a two-out single from Bryce Harper to take an early 1-0 lead. For most of the game it appeared that was going to be enough for Aaron Nola on the evening.

In the first year of the extensive contract he signed during the offseason, Nola dominated the Rockies, pitching into the eighth inning. He tossed 7 1/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out nine batters and allowing one walk. He induced 12 swings and misses and threw 99 pitches, 69 for strikes.

The lone run for the Rockies came in the fifth inning when Michael Toglia hit his fourth home run of the season to right field to tie the game. It was the fifth hit of the year for Toglia and the second home run from the left side of the plate.

Toglia tank 💪 pic.twitter.com/eU8v35nA81

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 15, 2024

The Rockies would create some drama in the ninth inning when Elias Diaz hit a double to left field with two outs. Representing the go-ahead run, manager Bud Black had to turn to starting pitcher Kyle Freeland as a pinch runner because of a short bench. An illness had sidelined Jake Cave and Brendan Rodgers, who was a late scratch from the lineup, meaning that backup catcher Jacob Stallings was the only position player left to put into the game. After advancing on a wild pitch from former Rockie Jeff Hoffman, Freeland was 90 feet away from giving the Rockies the lead. The Phillies then intentionally walked Nolan Jones and with Elehuris Montero at the plate Hoffman threw another wild pitch that skipped away from J.T. Realmuto.

Freeland bolted for home as Hoffman hustled to cover the plate. The two friends reached the plate at the same time as Hoffman received the ball from Realmuto and applied the tag. Freeland rolled over in agony as he was called out. The Rockies challenged the call, asking for a check on obstruction and the out-call but both calls stood as called. The umpires explained that it was viewed as a convergence at the plate as opposed to an outright obstruction from Hoffman.

Black affirmed during his postgame interview that Freeland is fine, but it will be something to monitor in the coming days as he had had problems with that shoulder in the past.

Up next: 

Austin Gomber looks to pick up where he left off in his last start where he delivered a quality start against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. He will square off against fellow lefty Ranger Suarez as the Rockies offense looks to find a way to get some rhythm together.