Another underwhelming road trip, as the Rockies went 2-4 for the week. The offense continued to make pedestrian starters look like all stars, striking out too much and leaving runners on base. They played 6 road games and scored 8 runs total.
What went right:
1. Eric Young Jr. and Dexter Fowler were consistently on base and disrupting opposing pitchers. E.Y. did a nice job of working the count and making good contact, and Dexter's situational hitting was outstanding. He moved E.Y. from 2nd to 3rd more than once by pushing the ball to the right side of the field, then took advantage of an RBI opportunity to drive in the winning run today against Arizona. They also both shined defensively, each with plays that appeared as 'Web gems.' If they can sustain their production, it should give the rest of the hitters plenty of chances to work out of their respective funks.
2. The starting pitching was mostly solid once again, leaving the Rockies with plenty of chances to win close, low-scoring games in Los Angeles and Arizona. Jorge De La Rosa was a tough luck loser when the team was shut out by Ted Lilly and Ubaldo Jimenez once again pitched well but could not get the required help to get his 18th win. Esmil Rogers ended up with a no decision after working a career high 6.2 innings and striking out a career high 6 batters on Friday night, and Jhoulys Chacin rounded out the week with a gem, pitching 8 shutout innings. If Chacin and Rogers can continue to eat up innings, they can be difference makers. Chacin especially can have an impact for a team needing a jolt; when he has his fastball command, he has devastating swing-and-miss stuff. Here's the game summary from Sunday's victory.
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| The Rockies will come home hoping to string together wins. |
1. The Rockies continue to be pathetic on the road. Their record away from Coors Field now stands at 25-40. With only 16 road games remaining, they would have to run the table to finish above .500 on the road. We can still hold out hope for a big run, but it's hard to imagine a playoff team that plays below .500, and for that matter well below .500, in away games. The hitters strike out way too much in general, but especially on the road. See the 11 strikeouts against Ted Lilly, a good but not overpowering pitcher, or the 9 strikeouts recorded by Daniel Hudson, an unproven pitcher. Even Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki got in on the mediocrity, stranding Eric Young Jr. on 3rd with less than two outs twice in the same game Tuesday night.
2. Huston Street. It's now just a matter of trying to find different ways to say the same thing: he is in a bad place. In the heartbreaking loss Friday night, Street's inability to put hitters away was magnified. He had 2 strikes on every hitter, including Miguel Montero when he hit the game tying 2-run double. Street did record the save in today's victory, but it is hard to understand how a pitcher can continue to work ahead 0-2 and 1-2, placing all the pressure on the hitter, and still surrender crucial hits and walks. Going into Sunday's appearance, Street's ERA in August was 7.83. Jim Tracy insists Street will stay the closer.
What's next:
A 6 game homestand, with the Braves in town for 3 games followed by the Dodgers over the weekend. The stumbling offense faces tough tests early in the week, with Cy Young hopeful Tim Hudson going Monday and Derek Lowe Tuesday for Atlanta.
Division update:
San Diego Padres - They continue to show they belong in first place. The Padres started the week with a 4 game sweep in Wrigley Field against the Cubs, and salvaged one game against the pesky Brewers to go 5-2 for the week. They will take their 6 game division lead home for 3 games against the Diamondbacks and an engaging weekend match-up with the Philadelphia Phillies.
San Francisco Giants - The Gigantes got bloodied up a bit this week, dropping road series against the Phillies and the Cardinals. They were able to mostly tread water, as they now sit 2 games back in the wild card, but the gap between them and the first place Padres looks more and more daunting by the day. Perhaps most concerning was the struggles of their rotation's big 3: Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito, and Matt Cain went a combined 0-4. The Giants come home for a tough 3 game series against the first place Cincinnati Reds followed by 3 at home against the Diamondbacks.
For what it's worth, the Rockies sit 11 back of the Padres (it's about time to call that out of reach) and 7 back of the wild card leading Phillies.
Other thoughts...
...is Clint Barmes next? The Rockies have not waived the white flag (yet), but they certainly appear to be transitioning the focus to getting their younger players experience. With Jonathan Herrera taking the roster spot vacated by Randy Flores, it is worth watching whether the Rockies bring up another arm. Fans might have to suffer through more Franklin Morales adventures if the team falls any further out of contention, and with Barmes being a veteran guy who could help teams at SS and 2B, he would seem to be the natural fit to make space. It would also free up at-bats for both E.Y. Jr. and Herrera. Troy Renck points to the Cardinals and Braves as teams that would be a fit. @TroyRenck: As I write in blog, teams like Braves and Cards waiting for Barmes to be placed on waivers. He could get claimed and traded. No doubt
...it will be a lot easier to cheer for Brad Hawpe if he lands somewhere like the Texas Rangers. It's a team with fun personalities, including Clint Hurdle as the hitting coach. Also, they are far away from any conflict of interest for Rockies fans. The idea of Hawpe on the Phillies or Giants is hard to stomach. Maybe the Padres would be OK...
...if the Rockies are going to make another Rocktober type run, it will be riding the momentum of Jason Giambi's mustache. That is a professional 'stache. If I was his teammate, I would be inspired.
...no more tantrums? It's hard to get a read on Lou Piniella's status, as he says he is now retired after the Cubs got blown up 16-5 by the Atlanta Braves. It feels a bit like he's not necessarily done for good and is just running out of a burning building, but I have no evidence to back that theory. Regardless, enjoy this shot of a classic ejection in honor of Lou.
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| Farewell, Randy Flores. You won't be missed. |
http://www.denverpost.com/paige/ci_15782965?source=rss
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_15854094
http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=col
http://twitter.com/EYJr
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