DENVER -- Michael Toglia needed Coors Field.
After going hitless in 12 at-bats in San Francisco, Toglia ignited for a two-run home run and two doubles Wednesday night, but the Rockies lost for the 29th time in 35 games this season -- an 8-6 decision against the Tigers in 10 innings.
The only team in the Modern Era (since 1900) worse over the first 35 games was the 5-35 Orioles of 1988.
A team in such an awful way has nights like Wednesday. Joining Toglia was Ryan McMahon, who found his swing in San Francisco and capitalized back home with a home run, two doubles, a single and a walk. Also, after rookie starter Chase Dollander struggled (six runs, five hits, three walks and a hit batter in three innings plus four batters in the fourth), the bullpen held the Tigers to no earned runs.
Yet the Rockies went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and were left grasping for ways to make the positives count for wins.
“We had some opportunities – some leadoff doubles – we just couldn’t cash in, couldn’t get the big hit, couldn’t keep it going,” manager Bud Black said.
On defense, Toglia started a double play to snuff out a potential rally in the eighth inning and made a diving stab of a Riley Greene liner to end the top of the ninth.
“That was really tough,” Toglia said of the outcome. “We really could have won that. But, I mean, we just stopped scoring. After [the fourth], we just didn’t put anything else up. At Coors, against a team like that, you’ve got to be relentless and keep pouring on runs.”
At least Toglia is filed under the happier category, especially at home.
Toglia grabbed the starting first base job last season -- the third in which he bounced between Denver and Triple-A Albuquerque. Entrenched this season despite an extremely slow start, Toglia faces the age-old Rockies problem.
His 3-for-4 performance Wednesday puts his home slash line at .339/.575/.593 with three of his four homers. On the road, he’s at .097/.176/.161. Before coming up empty in San Francisco, Toglia hit .348 (8-for-23) with two home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs on the Rockies’ previous homestand.
Well, let a man enjoy his homecoming.
“It’s funny how that works,” Toglia said. “I felt great coming out of the homestand, then went to San Francisco, went 0-for-the-series, came back here and got three hits in my first game – without changing anything. So that’s just how the game goes. And you’ve got to be willing to ride those out.”
There are five more games in the homestand, starting with a doubleheader Thursday. That means more chances for Toglia to use a hitter-friendly ballpark that he’s starting to take advantage of and build on overall numbers (.215, 15 RBIs) that are not what the Rockies expect of a player whom they expect to be in the middle of the lineup to help fuel future clubs.
Of course, Toglia will have to figure out the vexing home-road variance, like all who try to reconcile playing at mile-high altitude with visiting other venues.
But while trying to find his way while playing for a team that is struggling to win anywhere, Toglia is starting with being happy to be home.
“I’m just trying to stay aggressive,” Toglia said. “Honestly, no changes or anything. I’ve been feeling good the last couple weeks. It’s good to be back home, to get back in our own batter’s box, and I felt good tonight.”