While the Colorado Rockies battled to the very end, their offensive comeback fell just short as they couldn’t overcome another rough outing from their starting pitcher, falling 6-5 to the Houston Astros.

The contest opened with a statement from the Rockies as catcher Hunter Goodman delivered a stunning solo home run in the bottom of the first, shooting a 431-foot blast to center and giving Colorado an early 1–0 lead. But Houston answered swiftly. In the second inning, Christian Walker—a consistent force at Coors—singled to right, allowing Cam Smith to race home and bring the game back to even, 1–1.

Colorado’s starter, Chase Dollander, struggled to find rhythm in the third inning. With runners on base, Houston forced Dollander into a jam, and Victor Caratini pounced, hammering a 413-foot grand slam, his third career and second at Coors, breaking the game wide open and catapulting the Astros to a 6–1 lead. The swing proved decisive as by game’s end..

Dollander lasted only 2⅔ innings, shouldering six runs (five earned) on seven hits—a rough start that undercut his team’s early promise.

Clinging to a five-run deficit, the Rockies mounted a determined comeback: In the third, Thairo Estrada hit a sac-fly that scored Goodman, cutting the lead to 6–2. Then in the fourth inning, Tyler Freeman doubled in Ryan Ritter, making it 6–3. In the fifth, an infield single by Brenton Doyle brought Jordan Beck home, narrowing the gap to 6–4. A home run in the ninth narrowed it to a one-run game. Despite out-hitting Houston 12 to 9, the Rockies couldn’t string late-inning offense together

For Houston, Colton Gordon managed to hold the Rockies after the fifth, giving up four runs over 4⅔ innings with nine hits allowed, including the first of Goodman’s two homers. Houston’s bullpen shone as Bennett Sousa, Bryan King, Bryan Abreu, and closer Josh Hader combined to preserve the lead. Hader, despite surrendering Goodman’s second homer in the ninth, struck out Brenton Doyle to secure his 24th save of the season.

Still, much can be said about the offense but the Colorado bullpen held the line, giving the offense a chance to crawl back. Jimmy Herget relieved Dollander in the third and delivered 2 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Angel Chivilli, Jake Bird, Juan Mejia, and Victor Vodnik continued to pass the baton and allowed just two hits the whole rest of the way and just two walks. The bullpen has been a highlight for the Rockies and tonight was yet another chapter in the story of their 2025 season.

With the loss the Rockies drop to 19-66. They will face off against Hunter Brown on Wednesday with Austin Gomber taking the hill for the Rockies.