Michael Toglia’s grand slam can’t save Rockies in loss to Dodgers

The Rockies’ road trip from hell mercifully ended Wednesday night in Los Angeles.

It ended devilishly with L.A. completing a three-game sweep with an 8-7 victory at Dodger Stadium. The Rockies had their chances, but 16 strikeouts and a terrible start from German Marquez doomed them.

The 0-6 road trip began in San Diego, where the Padres took three from the Rockies, who failed to score a run. Colorado was outscored 35-12 during the road trip and outhit 54-33. The Rockies’ 3-15 start is the worst in franchise history.

Colorado’s West Coast trip included a quad injury to center fielder Brenton Doyle, who missed all six games, save for a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning Wednesday night. Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, battling a sore hip, was a late scratch for Wednesday’s game. Plus, the Rockies got word on Monday that veteran Kris Bryant, the oft-injured, veteran designated hitter, was going on the injured list because his chronic back issue flared up again.

The Rockies lost Wednesday night despite Michael Toglia blasting a grand slam in the third inning, his first home run this season. Toglia’s slam was immediately followed by a solo homer by Mickey Moniak as Colorado sliced L.A.’s lead to 7-6.

The Rockies had to climb out of a deep hole. They took a 1-0 lead in the first on a leadoff single by Nick Martini and an RBI double by Kyle Farmer, who’s been their most consistent hitter.

But that 1-0 lead turned into a 7-1 deficit in a flash. The Dodgers ambushed  Marquez, who pitched one of the worst games of his 10-year career. He lasted two-thirds of an inning, the shortest start of his career.

Marquez’s evening began with reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani blasting a 1-2 curveball 428 feet into the stands beyond right field. Two batters later, Freddie Freeman drove Marquez’s 1-0 sinker 409 feet to the left-center bleachers. And Marquez’s meltdown was just beginning. By the time reliever Angel Chivilli rode to the rescue, the Dodgers led 7-1, and Marquez had given up six hits as his early-season ERA rose from 4.60 to 8.27.

Pitching Probables

The Rockies are off on Thursday

Friday: Nationals LHP Mackenzie Gore (1-2, 3.52 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chase Dollander (1-1, 5.06), 6:40 p.m.

Saturday: Nationals TBA at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (0-3, 4.88), 1:10 p.m.

Sunday: Nationals TBA at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (0-3, 5.89), 1:10 p.m.