Rockies unable to close out slugfest with A’s

By Thomas Harding | MLB.com

DENVER — For a week, Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt had no games to close. Finally presented with one Wednesday night, he wasn’t up to the task.

Betancourt suffered his second blown save of the season when Coco Crisp stole third with one out and scored on Collin Cowgill’s one-out sacrifice fly. Three batters later, Brandon Inge knocked a two-run double and the Athletics sent the Rockies to their seventh straight defeat, 10-8, at Coors Field in front of 32,155.

The Rockies (24-37) fell to a season-worst 13 games below .500 and are 0-8 in Interleague Play. Two home runs by Michael Cuddyer and Todd Helton’s grand slam — his second of the season and seventh of his career — went unrewarded. So did five innings of somewhat competent work by starting pitcher Josh Outman, who gave up five runs in five innings as the Majors’ worst ERA rose five points to 6.32. But at least Outman became the last starter to be in line for a win since Alex White on June 3. MORE>>>