In a season full of rocky losses, the Rockies’ 4-3, walk-off loss to the Reds on Saturday was one of the rockiest.

The end was hind-end ugly, but what ultimately cost Colorado was its failure to capitalize on prime scoring opportunities. But then, that’s been the Rockies’ way for much of a season that has them owning a 22-73 record with one game remaining before the All-Star break.

Colorado right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik, so clutch in a 3-2 win on Friday night, imploded in the ninth. Spencer Steer led off with a single and scored on Will Benson’s triple that center fielder Brenton Doyle misplayed off the wall at Great American Ball Park. That tied the game, 3-3.

Vodnik walked pinch-hitter Jake Fraley before Noelvi Marte hit a grounder to second baseman Orlando Arcia, who muffed the play and never got a chance to try and throw out Benson at home. Game over.

Saturday was, in so many ways, a wasted afternoon for a Rockies team still trying to figure out how to win. Or not lose.

Wasted, as in rookie shortstop Ryan Ritter hitting a two-run homer in the second, the first home run of his career. Wasted, as in right-hander Bradley Blalock gave them an outstanding start. Wasted, as in rookie right fielder Yanquiel Fernandez going 3 for 4 and giving Colorado a 3-1 lead in the seventh with an RBI double.

The root cause was the Rockies’ failure to deliver in the clutch — or even put the ball in play — something that has haunted them much of the season. They were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

In the fourth inning, Hunter Goodman led off with a triple — and was stranded. Brady Singer struck out Jordan Beck, Michael Toglia and Brenton Doyle in quick succession.

Fernandez and Arcia opened the fifth with back-to-back singles. But Fernandez was thrown out trying to score from third on Ritter’s grounder to shortstop Elly De La Cruz, and Tyler Freeman grounded into an inning-ending double play.

In the ninth, Beck drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Toglia’s single to right. Once again, a runner at third with no outs. Once again, a goose egg. Veteran reliever Emilio Pagan struck out Doyle (who had three Ks), and then fanned Fernandez. Arcia grounded into a fielder’s choice for the third out.

The 24-year-old Blalock was excellent for most of his 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander gave up a run in the first via back-to-back singles by Matt McClain and De La Cruz and a sacrifice fly by Austin Hays. But from that point on, Blalock was in command. He didn’t walk a batter, and although he struck out only one, he got nine outs via ground balls, inducing double plays in the fourth and sixth.

Blalock made a 180-degree turn from his last big league start. That was on May 10, against the Padres at Coors Field, when he was blasted for 12 runs in just 3 2/3 innings in Colorado’s 21-0 loss.

The sixth could have been a disaster for Colorado. Hays hit a two-out single, prompting manager Warren Schaeffer to give Blalock the hook and replace him with Jimmy Herget, who promptly gave up a double to Gavin Lux and walked Steer, loading the bases. But Herget struck out Benson with a nasty curveball to escape the jam.

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