Marlins 7, Rockies 6 (boxscore)
What Went Wrong: The offense produced enough to win tonight. There's no question about that. But they still had several of those moments where you just shake your head at the opportunities they waste because they can't be bothered to change their approach in situational plate appearances.
There are no better examples of this possible than the three — yes, THREE — leadoff doubles they wasted tonight.
In the 4th and 6th innings respectively, it was Michael Cuddyer who doubled. He never moved either time. Wilin Rosario would strikeout swinging the first time and then groundout to second. Dexter Fowler popped to third and struck out in his two chances. The innings ended with Juan Nicasio and pinch-hitter Tyler Colvin striking out.
Then in the 9th, Jordan Pacheco doubled off Heath Bell with the Rockies trailing by the single run. Credit to Carlos Gonzalez, he moved Pacheco over with a grounder to second. That put Troy Tulowitzki in a spot where he could drive the tying run home several different ways, but as we've seen far too often from Tulo, he put forth a lousy at-bat at the worst possible time, ultimately popping up to short.
That put the pressure on a scuffling Todd Helton, who battled Bell as he has so many times in the past, but watched strike three sail by to end it.
The approaches have to improve and the importance of productive outs needs to be better understood by this ballclub. But that's something we've been saying as far back as 2010. Nothing new. It doesn't seem to matter who passes through, that message continues falling on deaf ears.
Turning Point: Simple. With the game tied at three in the 3rd inning, Marlins pitcher Ricky Nolasco laced a two-out, two-run double to the gap in left center. That's a turning point and a dagger.