Start spreading the news … the 2025 Rockies just might be worse than the ’24 White Sox. That’s saying something.
The Rockies lost, 5-3, to the Mets in the Big Apple on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. Over its three-game sweep, New York mashed nine home runs, including three on Sunday.
The telling blows were a one-out solo homer by star shortstop Francisco Lindor in the fifth off Rockies rookie lefty Carson Palmquist, and an insurance run blast by Juan Soto in the eighth off Zach Agnos.
Palmquist’s start, in the words of manager Warren Schaeffer, “was his best yet.” More on that in a moment, but first, the obligatory update of the Rockies’ tale of woe. They have:
• Lost eight straight games for the fourth time this season.
• A 9-50 record that continues their pace for the worst start in Major League Baseball’s modern era (since 1901).
• Been swept 10 times in 19 series and have lost a big-league record 22 consecutive series dating back to last season.
• Tumbled to 3-28 on the road, the worst start away from Coors Field in franchise history, and the first team in baseball’s modern era to lose 28 of its first 31 road games of a season.
And, oh yes, about those ’24 White Sox, who lost a record 121 games last season. After 59 games last season, they were 15-44 — six wins better than the Rockies.
On Sunday, the Rockies did a few things right. Newly acquired infielder Orlando Arcia tagged Mets starter Clay Holmes for a leadoff homer in the third. And Tyler Freeman hit his first homer in a Rockies uniform, launching a two-run shot off Holmes in the fourth.
But the Rockies, as is their wont, went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position, coming up empty in the ninth after Sam Hilliard (2 for 4) led off with a single off Mets super closer Edwin Diaz. But Diaz struck out Ezequiel Tovar, Ryan McMahon and Brenton Doyle to close out the game and notch his 13th save.
Palmquist was brilliant for three scoreless innings, displaying why the Rockies are so high on his future. He allowed one hit — a one-out single by Tyrone Taylor in the third — and struck out six.
But the Mets, a team packed with talented, veteran hitters, figured out Palmquist in the fourth and fifth innings. Starling Marte drew a leadoff walk in the fourth, and Palmquist plunked Soto. Pete Alonso made Palmquist pay with a 407-foot, three-run, opposite-field homer to right to put the Mets ahead, 3-1.
Freeman’s two-run homer tied the game, 3-3, in the fifth. But Lindor’s one-out, solo homer off Palmquist in the bottom of the frame put the Mets ahead, 4-3.
The Mets have now won their last 26 games when Lindor homers. It is the second-longest streak in major league history, trailing only Carl Furillo, whose 1951-53 Brooklyn Dodgers won 29 straight games when Furillo hit a home run.
Palmquist (0-4, 8.50 ERA) finished his 4 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts, the most by a Colorado pitcher this season. He gave up only four hits, but the two home runs he allowed put a big hurt on the left-hander.
“He had eight (strikeouts), five on the heater,” Schaeffer told reporters in New York. “I think he’s just getting more comfortable with who he is and with each outing. That’s what we want to see. So, a very positive step forward for ‘CP.’ ”
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Originally Published: June 1, 2025 at 3:12 PM MDT
