Rockies Solve Aroldis Chapman To Send Reds To Ninth Straight Loss

Even Aroldis Chapman in a semi-military uniform could turn the Reds losing streak around.

Chapman entering a tie game invited trouble by walking Charlie Blackmon the leadoff hitter. D.J. LeMahieu added to the frustration with a bloop single that Brandon Phillips shaded toward second couldn't get to just beyond the skin of the infield. Nolan Arenado got the run home with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to plate the winning run in a 5-4 decision.

John Axford earned his seventh save with his sixth straight scoreless inning by getting the Reds' hottest hitter to flyout after a two-out walk to Todd Frazier made Bruce, who had three hits, the winning run.

Bruce is taking no joy in raising his batting average over 60 points over the last eight games.

"Everyone here is frustrated from Bob Castellini to the training assistants," Bruce said. "Losing is not fun. It's the exact opposite of why you play the game. It is terrible. It stinks. It sucks. Yes, I'm hitting better right now but it's hard to enjoy because you prepare for this game to win."

"Lately we've been making errors. That's something that we never, ever do. I'm not calling anybody out. We're doing everything we can to prepare, probably too much. I'm not saying do nothing but we're a group of guys that prepare, everyday, diligently to win and it's not happening. We need something to relieve the pressure."

Any idea how to do that?

"Understanding this is a game. You have to take joy in the little things, to have fun and just play. The reason you prepare is to trust what you're doing. You have to have a short memory. We can't soak in our tears and whine. I look forward to the day that it turns around because it's going to."

Jason Marquis spotted the Rockies a 1-0 lead.

Marquis walked Charlie Blackmon to leadoff the game. Singles by Nolan Arenado and Ben Paulson sent Blackmon home.

Joey Votto doubled off Rockies' starter Eddie Butler and Tod Frazier followed with his 13th home run to put the Reds up one.

Frazier's throwing error led to two Rockies runs in the second inning.  Arenado hit his ninth home run of the season off Marquis to give the Rockies a two-run lead.

Marquis, the first Reds' pitcher to bat in a spot other than ninth since Red Lucas hit seventh in 1933, doubled in the second inning but was stranded.

Marlon Byrd doubled one out into the fourth.  Billy Hamilton, batting ninth single Byrd home.

Byrd's 10th home run off Butler tied the game in the sixth..

The Reds and Rockies bullpens held the fort