Rockies' Austin Gomber doomed in first inning of loss to Astros

Do-overs aren’t allowed in the big leagues. That’s too bad for Colorado Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber.

He pitched an excellent game Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park ... if you toss out the first inning.

But then, the first inning has been Gomber’s bugaboo all season.

The Houston Astros ambushed Gomber for five runs on six singles in the first and cruised to a 5-2 victory in Houston.

The Astros won their sixth straight and beat the Rockies for the 10th consecutive time at Minute Maid. Colorado’s longest active losing streak at any visiting ballpark dates back to Aug. 15, 2018.

Per usual, the Rockies’ road offense was comatose most of the evening.

Right-hander Hunter Brown blanked the Rockies for six innings, allowing just two hits: harmless singles to Ezequiel Tovar and Brendan Rodgers in the fourth. Brown struck out seven and walked three. After a rough start to the season, Brown has been nearly untouchable over his last seven starts, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.47 ERA.

Numbers illustrate Gomber’s first-inning woes. Of the 43 runs he’s allowed this season, 23 have been scored in the first inning. In his four starts in June, in which he now has a 9.39 ERA, he’s given up 15 runs in the opening frame.

Opponents have scored a run in the first inning in nine of Gomber’s 15 starts and they’re hitting .414 with four doubles and four home runs.

After struggling through Tuesday night’s first inning, Gomber shut down the Astros and allowed just two additional hits. At one point in his 5 1/3-inning start, Gomber set down 13 in a row. He struck out four and walked none.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the eighth against reliever Seth Martinez. Brenton Doyle was hit by a pitch, Ryan McMahon singled and Rodgers drove in Doyle with a slap single to right.

Michael Toglia ripped a solo homer off Astros closer Josh Hader in the ninth, Toglia’s eighth of the season.

After putting up a winning record in May (14-13), the Rockies are 6-17 in June. They have been outscored 156-101 this month, the most runs allowed in the majors. Colorado is on pace to lose 107 games.

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