OC Register: Angels hitters do surprisingly little at Coors Field in loss to Rockies

[AngelsWin.com]

• Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to a Colorado Rockies batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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• Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black smiles before the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart throws his bat after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Tony Wolters (14) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks to the plate against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani tries to run out a ground out to first against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani heads to first on a ground-out against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani tries to run out a ground out to first against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray talks with pitching coach Steve Foster during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Noel Cuevas signals to the umpire that the ball hit his foot and should walk to first during the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• DENVER, CO – MAY 08: Starting pitcher Andrew Heaney #28 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 8, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

• Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney talks with catcher Martin Maldonado during the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney talks with catcher Martin Maldonado during the sixth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado avoids an inside pitch from Los Angeles Angels starter Andrew Heaney during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado throws his bat after being called out on strikes during the fifth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• DENVER, CO – MAY 08: Trevor Story #27 of the Colorado Rockies hits a 2 RBI triple in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Coors Field on May 8, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

• Colorado Rockies’ Trevor Story is safe at third with a triple as Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart (7) applies the late tag during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Noe Ramirez throws against the Colorado Rockies during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Trevor Story hits a two-run double against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado is safe at home plate against Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado (12) during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• The Rockies’ Nolan Arenado slides home safely before Angels catcher Martin Maldonado can apply a tag during the seventh inning of Tuesday’s game in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

• Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado is safe at home plate as his hand slides under the glove of Los Angeles Angels catcher Martin Maldonado (12) during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado celebrates after scoring on a Trevor Story two-run double against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

• Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado celebrates with teammates in the dugout after scoring a run on a Trevor Story two RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of an interleague baseball game Tuesday, May 8, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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DENVER — After a significant offensive explosion over the previous week, the Angels bats went quiet again in the most unlikely of places.

Coors Field.

The most hitter-friendly ballpark in the majors didn’t seem like it to the Angels in their first visit here since 2015. The Angels didn’t score until the eighth inning of a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

The Angels, who had hit .337 and averaged 8.6 runs over the previous five games, were blanked by Jon Gray for seven innings.

Their best chance to do some damage against him was in the first when they loaded the bases with two outs. Zack Cozart struck out.

In the sixth, when they only trailed 2-0, Andrelton Simmons led off with a single. After Simmons went to second, Shohei Ohtani came up to pinch-hit, as the crowd came to life with anticipation. Ohtani, who had belted a few balls into the third deck during batting practice, grounded out.

By the time the Angels got on the board on Justin Upton’s two-run homer in the eighth, the Rockies had already tacked on two runs against Noé Ramírez.

The lack of offense spoiled a night in which the Angels continued to get solid starting pitching. Andrew Heaney gave up two runs in six innings, the seventh straight game an Angels starter gave up two runs or fewer.

Heaney has a 2.12 ERA over his last three starts, which coincides with his move back to the first base side of the rubber.

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Heaney had spent most of his career on the first base side, but after he came back from Tommy John surgery last year, and for his first two starts this year, he was on the third base side.

In the first inning, he retired the side in order on eight pitches, all strikes.

The Rockies didn’t score until the third, when Tony Wolters reached on an infield single. He went to second on a bunt and then scored on DJ LeMahieu’s single.

In the sixth, Trevor Story hit a drive that dropped just inside the right-field line, at the warning track, and he raced to third with a triple. He scored on Gerardo Parra’s bloop single.

Heaney escaped further damage thanks to Mike Trout, who caught a line drive running in and then threw the second in time to double off Parra. It was the second straight game that Trout had an assist.

More to come on this story.

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