Rockies’ Jaw-Dropping Turnaround: How They Escaped History’s Worst Start in the Nick of Time
Denver witnessed a rare moment of relief for the Colorado Rockies on Thursday night, as they snagged a hard-fought victory and sidestepped the ignominy of setting a new record for the most dismal start in modern baseball history. Orlando Arcia, clutch as ever, delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth, sealing an 8-7 triumph over the San Francisco Giants. That win nudged the Rockies’ record to a grim 13-55, putting them neck and neck with the infamous 1932 Boston Red Sox for the worst start ever—though that Red Sox squad went on to notch 68 victories. Yeah, the Rockies know the record by heart, but believe me, it’s not a trophy they’re flaunting. As Ryan McMahon put it plainly, “We look at it… I know it to a ’T.’ I think we all do, man.”
Since a brutal 9-50 opening, the Rockies have clawed their way back a bit under interim manager Warren Schaeffer, posting a respectable 4-5 record over their last nine games, including snapping a five-game losing skid. McMahon, who walked and scored the game-winner Thursday, says the key is simple—focus on playing better baseball every pitch, every day. The team’s start has been “bad, man,” he admitted, but strangely, that harsh reality almost lightens the mental load. Instead of dwelling on past failures, the players are zeroed in on the daily grind and fighting through every inning. Arcia, a postseason veteran with a decade’s experience across winning teams in Milwaukee and Atlanta, echoes this mindset. Since arriving in late May, he’s been all about moving forward, ready to do whatever it takes to help this struggling squad build something worth cheering for.
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies got a win on Thursday and avoided reaching a new low and setting the record for the worst start in the modern era.
Orlando Arcia’s two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Rockies an 8-7 win over the San Francisco Giants. It moved Colorado’s record to 13-55 — tied with the 1932 Boston Red Sox for the worst. That Red Sox team also won its 68th game.
The Rockies are aware of the record, but it is not something they dwell on.
“We look at it,” Ryan McMahon said. “I know it to a ’T.’ I think we all do, man.”
After a 9-50 start, the Rockies have made some recent headway under interim manager Warren Schaeffer. They are 4-5 in their last nine after breaking a five-game losing streak.
“I think we are just playing better baseball,” said McMahon, who drew a walk in the ninth inning and scored the winning run.
“As long as you focus on that when you are out in the field, the record takes care of itself. We can’t get it all back in one day. We have to take it pitch by pitch, day by day.”
The poor start was “bad, man,” he continued. “I think that almost made it a little bit easier, because you don’t want to think about it. You want to just focus on what you are doing every day when you get here and keep trying to win more games.
“To do what we did today, not give up, keep fighting. I think overall, that’s just big. You can look back at that. You can remember we’ve come back from situations like this before and that It kind of helps you keep going.”
Arcia has been part of winning organizations in Milwaukee and Atlanta in his 10-year career, and has played in the postseason each of the last seven years.
“We’re not focusing on what happened in the past,” said Arcia, acquired May 28 after being released by Atlanta. “We’re taking it day by day. We’re just trying to look to the future. I told my people I came here to do a job, and to come out and play and help this team win however I can.”
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