DENVER -- Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland searched for sharpness during Friday night’s 8-5 loss to the A's, much like you’d expect from someone pitching for the first time in 19 days due to a dislocated right (non-throwing) shoulder. There was no explanation for the Rockies’ poor second-inning defense beyond manager Bud Black’s one word: "Uncharacteristic."

The loss at Coors Field was the Rockies’ third straight. The first two, against the Nationals in Washington, D.C., cost the Rockies (40-63) a chance to move out of the basement of the overall National League standings. Friday’s defeat was to the team with the Majors’ worst record.

But with the standings showing the Rockies where they are, this game’s context also involved players who may not be here beyond Tuesday’s Trade Deadline -- led by Randal Grichuk, who homered in the fourth inning -- and players who are not here yet.

So, for those here and those not, here are five takeaways.

• Freeland healthy, but his execution must improve

Oakland's first-inning run came on three soft singles. Black said Freeland’s “stuff was good, the fastball had some life to it, slider was fine, and he mixed in curves and a couple changes.”

But three hard-hit balls hurt Freeland's outing -- Shea Langeliers' triple in the second and double in the third, as well as a third-inning triple by Nick Allen.

“Execution wasn’t great. I left some stuff in the heart of the zone that was taken advantage of and they hit some balls hard,” said Freeland, who hasn’t had a win since May 14 -- a span of 12 starts -- with poor run support often the culprit. "Physically, my shoulder was fine. There's nothing there just to be more crisp, with my stuff being on the edges and down in the zone."

• Defense was reminiscent of April

The second inning started with Ryan McMahon being charged with his fourth error in three games, although first baseman Elehuris Montero could have handled the throw with clean fundamentals.

Things didn't improve from there.

Although Freeland wasn’t charged with an error, his bounced throw to the plate after fielding Tony Kemp’s bunt later in the frame scored a run for the A's. The first of second baseman Alan Trejo’s two errors cost a possible double play. After it was all done, the inning ended with the Rockies down, 4-0.

Since a bad first month, the Rockies’ defense has been generally solid, but things regressed a bit on Friday.

• Grichuk swinging like he belongs in a postseason race

Grichuk’s leadoff shot in the fourth off A's starter JP Sears was his sixth home run since June 2. Since returning from a sports hernia surgery that cost him the first month, Grichuk has hit for a solid average. But some adjustments -- particularly putting his hands in better position to fire his swing -- have led to a recent power surge.

"There’s been a little bit of an emphasis on getting the ball in the air," Black said. "There’s been a minor tweak in his swing, in his setup."

Several teams are seeking right-handed hitting and versatile outfielders at this time of the season, and Grichuk fits both. He is batting .350 in his last 16 games with five homers in that span.

Among other Rockies who could move at the Trade Deadline on Tuesday, C.J. Cron -- hitting in the presence of his father, Athletics assistant hitting coach Chris Cron -- went 1-for-5 in his return after missing five games with lower back soreness, and switch-hitting outfielder Jurickson Profar was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.

Elsewhere ... 

• Gold Glove second baseman Brendan Rodgers’ rehab took an exciting turn

Playing for Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Rodgers -- who sustained a dislocated left (non-throwing) shoulder early in Spring Training -- parked his first home run in a 15-4 home loss to Sacramento.

In 30 combined rehab at-bats at High-A Spokane and Albuquerque, Rodgers is 9-for-30 (.300) with three walks and seven strikeouts.

• Dreaming of Drew Romo 

Romo, a catcher taken 35th overall in the 2020 Draft and currently the Rockies' No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, struggled early this season but has turned it up for the last month plus. On Friday, Romo, who turns 22 on Aug. 29, hit three home runs for Double-A Hartford in its 13-8 victory over New Hampshire.

The Rockies brought Romo to Major League camp this year for the first time, although they were planning to do so in the lockout-truncated 2021 camp. He is a key to the team’s catching future, but there is no need to rush him.

2023 All-Star Game MVP Elias Díaz is under contract through next season, so when Romo is ready to arrive on the Major League scene depends on his development.