​The Colorado Rockies’ struggles continued on Thursday afternoon, as they dropped the first game of a doubleheader to the Kansas City Royals, 7–4, at Kauffman Stadium. Despite early offensive sparks, the Rockies couldn’t hold off a determined Royals comeback, extending their road losing streak to 12 games, just one shy of the franchise record.​

Colorado jumped ahead in the first inning with an RBI single from Hunter Goodman, scoring Brenton Doyle. The Royals quickly responded in the bottom half, as Salvador Perez delivered a two-run double off Germán Márquez. The Rockies reclaimed the lead in the second inning with a solo home run from Jordan Beck, his first of the season. Goodman added to the tally in the third, launching a two-run homer—his fourth of the year—to put Colorado up 4–2.

However, the Royals clawed back in their half of the third. Michael Massey and Drew Waters each contributed RBI singles, tying the game at 4–4. The pivotal moment came in the fifth inning when Kyle Isbel’s two-run infield single, which deflected off first baseman Michael Toglia’s glove, allowed Kansas City to take a 6–4 lead. Isbel added another RBI in the seventh with a bunt single, extending the Royals’ advantage to 7–4.​

Germán Márquez (0–4) took the loss for Colorado, surrendering six runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings. He did achieve a personal milestone by recording his 1,000th career strikeout, fanning Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth inning. Kansas City’s starter, Cole Ragans, exited after three innings due to groin tightness, having allowed four runs on three hits. The Royals’ bullpen stepped up impressively, with Angel Zerpa earning the win and Carlos Estévez securing his sixth save of the season.​ The Rockies had just four hits, all of which came from Goodman and Beck, and had just one base runner after the fourth inning.

The Rockies, now 4–19, are off to the worst start in franchise history and remain at the bottom of the National League West standings. They’ll look to rebound in the second game of the doubleheader, sending Chase Dollander (1–2, 7.36 ERA) to the mound against Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (1–3, 4.57 ERA).