Rockies lose 4-3 in walk-off fashion to Reds

In a season full of rocky losses, the Rockies’ 4-3, walk-off loss to the Reds on Saturday was one of the rockiest.

The end was hind-end ugly, but what ultimately cost Colorado the game was its failure to capitalize on prime scoring opportunities. But then, that’s been the Rockies’ way for much of a season that has them owning a 22-73 record with one game remaining before the All-Star break.

Colorado right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik, so clutch in a 3-2 win on Friday night, imploded in the ninth. Spencer Steer led off with a single and scored on Will Benson’s triple that center fielder Brenton Doyle misplayed off the wall at Great American Ball Park. That tied the game, 3-3.

Vodnik walked pinch-hitter Jake Fraley before Noelvi Marte hit a grounder to second baseman Orlando Arcia, who muffed the play and never got a chance to try and throw out Benson at home. Game over.

Saturday was, in so many ways, a wasted afternoon for a Rockies team still trying to figure out how to win. Or not lose.

Wasted, as in rookie shortstop Ryan Ritter hitting a two-run homer in the second, the first home run of his career. Wasted, as in right-hander Bradley Blalock gave them an outstanding start. Wasted, as in rookie right fielder Yanquiel Fernandez going 3 for 4 and giving Colorado a 3-1 lead in the seventh with an RBI double.

The root cause was the Rockies’ failure to deliver in the clutch — or even put the ball in play — something that has haunted them much of the season. They were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

“You are going to lose against good teams like that when you don’t get the job done and you let them hang around all game long,” manager Warren Schaeffer told reporters in Cincinnati. “We had opportunities all game long. … It’s hard to win baseball games like that. We have to get better in (those) situations.”

In the fourth inning, Hunter Goodman led off with a triple — and was stranded. Brady Singer struck out Jordan Beck, Michael Toglia and Brenton Doyle in quick succession.

Fernandez and Arcia opened the fifth with back-to-back singles. But Fernandez was thrown out trying to score from third on Ritter’s grounder to shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and Tyler Freeman grounded into an inning-ending double play.

In the ninth, Beck drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Toglia’s single to right. Once again, a runner at third with no outs. Once again, a goose egg. Veteran reliever Emilio Pagan struck out Doyle (who had three Ks), and then fanned Fernandez. Arcia grounded into a fielder’s choice for the third out.