McMahon's All-Star candidacy grows with HR
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DENVER -- Ryan McMahon left his stamp on the beginning and the end of Saturday night’s game. But he never truly had a chance to take ownership.
In the first inning, McMahon launched a two-run homer that sailed 478 feet -- tied for the 10th-longest in Coors Field history and the fourth-longest in the Majors this season. And after the Reds scored two in the 12th for what would be a 6-5 victory, McMahon held the margin with a diving catch at third base to begin an inning-ending double play.
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In between, the Rockies left chance after chance on the table, going 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position. But McMahon had none of those opportunities after his first-inning homer, his ninth of what looks like a season of All-Star candidacy.
“You have to welcome that chance for sure,” McMahon said. “But honestly, I was just hoping we came through and got the win.”
The homer was the second-longest of McMahon’s career, by one foot.
“Yeah, that one felt good,” McMahon said. “He left it over the plate and I put a good swing on it.”
Two missed chances were especially galling.
Garrett Hampson was stranded after a seventh-inning leadoff triple, mainly because of Reds starter Tyler Mahle, who scattered seven hits, but gave up no runs beyond McMahon’s moonshot. Hampson discretely stayed at third when Elias Díaz’s fly to accurate-armed Nick Castellanos in right wasn't deep enough. Mahle then fanned pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon and forced a Raimel Tapia groundout to end the frame.
After Kyle Farmer’s two-run homer off left-hander Ben Bowden (who left shortly thereafter with a left lat injury) created a 4-2 lead in the top of the 11th, Josh Fuentes doubled in two runs with one out in the bottom of the inning -- but the rally ended there. The Rockies, after scoring 22 runs combined in wins over the Reds on Thursday and Friday, saw their win streak end at three games, tied for their longest in a tough season.
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“We’ve been getting the big hit lately,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “Tonight, it just didn’t come our way. We had multiple opportunities to get a base hit.”
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McMahon gave the Rockies one more chance after the Reds scored twice in the 12th off Antonio Santos, who was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque earlier Saturday and inserted as the Rockies’ ninth pitcher. McMahon’s diving play kept the Rockies in striking distance.
“Two-run ballgame and we get a guy on second base to start,” McMahon said. “A home run can tie it up. You saw Josh come through with that big at-bat and tie it up pretty quick.”