Game #124: Jimenez vs Morris

by Rox Girl on Aug 20, 2007 5:41 PM MDT in Rockpile Comment 107 comments

You might remember Matt Morris from his term with the Giants which ended earlier this summer. It was inexplicably cut short when the Pirates traded for him in this his contract season in exchange for Rajai Davis. I still don't understand Pittsburgh's reasoning for this move, but that's why they are where they are, I suppose. Morris hasn't won since June, and it isn't exactly like he's been unlucky in that span, he's just been bad.

U-ball has to show he can be as effective at home as he was against the Padres last week, and a struggling Bucs offense should provide him a good chance to do just that. Let's go out and start this homestand right.

Go Rockies!

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Lineups

Pirates

McLouth cf
Kata 3b
Sanchez 2b
LaRoche 1b
Bay lf
Bautista rf
Paulino c
Wilson ss
Morris p

Rockies

Matsui 2b
Tulowitzki ss
Holliday lf
Helton 1b
Atkins 3b
Hawpe rf
Spilborghs cf
Torrealba c
Jimenez p

The Coors Effect... thinking about changing the name to The Humidor Effect.

by Rox Fan in TN on Aug 20, 2007 6:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Thank god

Tulo is back in the 2-hole and Spilly is playing. Yay!

It will be a travesty if we don't win this game.

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 7:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

already don't like what i see

uball can't locate the curve.

kata's triple was cheap though.

rockies in october.

by LarryB303 on Aug 20, 2007 7:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Happy Birthday Todd!

Make it a memorable one!

by avsfan4ever33 on Aug 20, 2007 7:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Won't get a chance this inning

Grounding into double plays is not a good thing, Matt. I'm sure he leads the team in that aspect.

by avsfan4ever33 on Aug 20, 2007 7:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh...

Double play? Come on, Matt.

The Coors Effect... thinking about changing the name to The Humidor Effect.

by Rox Fan in TN on Aug 20, 2007 7:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Great play by Tulo

It never gets old watching him make plays like that.

by avsfan4ever33 on Aug 20, 2007 7:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

U-ball

I'm with LarryB303 - not getting a warm fuzzy feeling from U-ball's pitching so far. Got the job done that inning, though.

by wedge on Aug 20, 2007 7:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Ubaldo's fastball looks pretty lively today

if he can stay ahead or even with hitters, he'll be fine.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 7:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Time for a clutch Torrealba hit

Please?

by avsfan4ever33 on Aug 20, 2007 7:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Unlucky

He hit it well, but right at a very good defensive shortstop.

by avsfan4ever33 on Aug 20, 2007 7:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone forgot to tell the hitters

we're not on the west coast anymore. It's okay to score now...

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:07 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

At least Brandon

got the memo.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

New game plan:

Hit it to Bautista.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Sooner or later

Atkins has to be able to field a routine ball not hit right at him, I mean right? Law of averages at least?

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

at least this time he redeemed himself.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Top ofthe order third time through

one run is a minimum, two is expected, and zero is inexcusable against Matt Morris and this woeful Pirate defense.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

We haven't exactly

been looking like All-Stars out there recently.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dammit Holliday

First-pitch outs, GIDPs.... what is wrong with you?

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The attendance looks down today

last I checked, we were only three back in the wild card...

It looks like the fans aren't completely back, and the skepticism still exists.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:25 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The Pirates look as offensively inept as us

So in other words, that's not a compliment. We need to be scoring more than the NL's worst team.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It sure would be nice

to back Jimenez' great effort with some runs...

Atkins, Hawpe, Spilly, I'm looking your way...

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

They are trying to gift wrap this win

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 8:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Very solid effort by U-ball

It's been a great relief to see him bounce back from the wall he hit. Too bad the bats are asleep at the wheel.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Good lord

Simply embarrassing.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

We may only be three back in the Wild Card

but I have to admit that I'm now more excited for 2008 and what could be a very good young team. We've made leaps and bounds of progress this year, but we're just not there yet.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Stewart!

I still get excited when he shows up. Maybe he can hit, since no one else can...

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 8:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Josh Phelps. Josh Phelps. Josh Phelps.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Aug 20, 2007 9:03 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nicely done, LaTroy

Ugh.

Up in the Rockies

by rockiesfan06 on Aug 20, 2007 9:03 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Brilliant idea to pull Jimenez

for our pen, which has hit its horrible cycle again.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:03 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Another wasted effort from U-ball

Why can't the bats help this kid out?

by easccp on Aug 20, 2007 9:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Great job, LaTroy (not)

Now we need more runs. You'd think this would be easy off the Pirates pen, but nothing is easy these days.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, well, well

They put Chacon in. Can we get a little bit of revenge here? He blew enough saves for us.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:07 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

wha???

Corpas in when its tied?

10:1 this means Fuentes has been deemed closer again.

by DenverBears on Aug 20, 2007 9:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nope. Closers are usually put in in the ninth

at home with a tied score.

9-0 August 26-September 5, 1997

by RISP on Aug 20, 2007 9:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

If not for LaTroy

this game would be over now.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I swear

if O'Dowd picks up Hawkins 3 mil option for next season, Purple Row will hire Jason Elam to give Dan a swift kick to the groin.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh.

Guys. Please try to win. Just try.

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 9:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

We're making Chacon look like an all-star.

9-0 August 26-September 5, 1997

by RISP on Aug 20, 2007 9:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Okay

We'd better get through three more outs so Tulo, Holliday, and Helton can come up. I swear, I don't know what I'll do if we lose, but it'll be impressive. Ritually sacrificing Hawkins and Affeldt will be included.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

The way you describe it

makes me kinda wish we lose.

Win the game, or watch silverblood have an "impressive" meltdown...

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had an emotional breakdown

(non-Rockies related) on Saturday night, and it was not fun. I am not keen to repeat the experience, so I'd rather they win.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Herges in the tenth...

a sign you have an overworked bullpen...

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Tied in the tenth with the Pirates...

...a sign that clearly your team doesn't seem to be in any hurry to make up ground in the middle of a playoff race.

Up in the Rockies

by rockiesfan06 on Aug 20, 2007 9:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except

that Herges is riding a really hot streak right now (and continued it nicely there).

Not as bad a move as it might seem.

I've been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before. - Casey Stengel

by Behrens on Aug 20, 2007 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not questioning the move

persay, but when you look at the way the bullpen was constructed, Herges pitching the tenth inning was not the way they designed it.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

I've been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before. - Casey Stengel

by Behrens on Aug 20, 2007 9:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like his strategy

get the ball to Tulo

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:32 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Unless they bring in Capps

we will win the game in the tenth. You have my word.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:38 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Matt?

So not what we needed right there.

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 9:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

According to Gameday

none of those pitches to Holliday were in the zone, and he struck out anyway.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Argggghhh

HATE strike 'em out, throw 'em out when they happen to us.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holliday wasn't thrown a strike

in six pitches but still managed to K...

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Another opportunity missed

If Holliday had taken a walk instead of hacking, we may be looking at a different outcome now.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

What the hell

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 9:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Carroll just missed it

got a little too underneath it, otherwise, ballgame.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And now Fuentes is in

yiiiikkees....

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 9:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Jamey Carroll, right fielder

Hooooookay.

Please don't blow it, Fuentes. You did that enough before.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:56 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Leadoff walk

Those are never a problem....

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 9:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Brian this isn't a save situation

you can pitch good.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 9:57 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Brian is all over the place

I am completely terrified.

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 9:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Oy

Brian. For the love of christ.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:00 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, that's just great . . .

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Aug 20, 2007 10:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

My God

I think I hate Fuentes.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:03 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Unreal

I can't believe we're in position to lose this game. What a joke.

Up in the Rockies

by rockiesfan06 on Aug 20, 2007 10:03 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And you are suprised??

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

So

do you ever show up when we're winning? Funny how we haven't heard a peep from you until now.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yet again

Mismanagement of our pen (Jimenez only at 92 pitches, should have been left to chance the eighth) and an inability to score runs off bad pitchers have done us in.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's absolutely ridiculous

Just completely and totally ridiculous. I don't even know what to say.

www.myspace.com/notthisday.com

by Squeaky on Aug 20, 2007 10:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Jamie Carroll,

all-star right fielder!

by wedge on Aug 20, 2007 10:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Did anybody else laugh

when they read comments like "Getting Fuentes back is just like making a deal for a pitcher..."

Of course nobody would specify what type of pitcher. Fuentes' effective years are done, the sooner we realize this, the better off we'll be.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Fuentes

Has hit batters and walked guys for two years. No suprise that he takes his turn at imploding. Bottom of order next inning and only Gil left. Stick another fork in them.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You're quickly reaching troll status

and comments will start getting deleted if you start to troll threads again.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stick a fork in Fuentes

This guy is done. He's totally lost it and can't be trusted - now that's three guys in our pen that carried a lot of weight early on that we can't trust to get outs in a close ballgame anymore. That's gross.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Aug 20, 2007 10:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it bad

that I wished we'd left Herges in instead of Fuentes?

I've been in this game a hundred years, but I see new ways to lose I never knew existed before. - Casey Stengel

by Behrens on Aug 20, 2007 10:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

No

I was kind of wishing the same thing. I stand by what I said a few weeks ago -- I do not want to see Fuentes in important situations for this team again.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:07 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too Many Innings and apprearances

by the pen. They are wearing down. Need starters that consistently give you seven.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

More brilliant defense from Atkins

I swear, these last three games have been like watching the same game over and over again.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Aug 20, 2007 10:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Atkins

Please stop making errors at such crucial junctions.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice play Dorn!

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

hey

thats my line but its true and you can use lol and im waiting for willy mayes hayes to come back

2008 plan for success: FIRE HURDLE

by roxfan4life on Aug 21, 2007 12:20 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

this is ugly.

by wedge on Aug 20, 2007 10:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Why put Corpas in in the 9th tied and

not pitch him in the 8th as well. Clint's mismanagement of pitching is really destoying the season.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I must say

giving Atkins a long term extension and leaving him at third is borderline insanity. You don't play Helton in centerfield, or Hawpe at shortstop, it's just as crazy to play Atkins at third. Either move him to first or deal him.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:11 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I still think

dealing Helton, moving Atkins to first, and letting Stewart have a shot at nailing down a regular third-base job is in the best interests of the club. It makes little sense to me to keep Helton over Atkins. Helton is 34 and declining, while Atkins is 27 and still a very decent offensive player, even if the defense is, uh, thrill-a-minute?

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%

but if you aren't going to deal (or just sit if no trade is found)) Helton, you are hampering your pitch-to-contact pitchers. Atkins is only going to get worse defensively.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed but

you will never be able to unload Helton's salary to a point that makes it advantageous. They will have to eat at least 10-12M thru 2011. Plus he may never agree to a deal anyway at this stage.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't usually blog during games...

But I just put up a post at Up In the Rockies. I made myself chuckle. Maybe you will too.

mvn.com/mlb-rockies - Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.

by Franchise26 on Aug 20, 2007 10:13 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And that's that

We had better win two of the next three. I'd ask for three, but even that seems to be a stretch. I think it'll be best for my emotional health if I accept this and begin to be psyched about 2008.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:15 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I expected

a loss in this series, but not the first game and not this way.

"Don't give up the ship!" - Capt. James Lawrence

by Russ Oates on Aug 20, 2007 10:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

If we start tomorrow's game

with no fresh faces in the bullpen, it will be a travesty. You're simply telling your starting pitchers and offensive players that you don't care about there efforts for the first seven innings.

I'm sure Morillo can blow leads. I'd rather see someone making the league minimum with a 100 mph fastball choke up ballgames than retread hacks...

And who knows, Morillo might actually be...gasp...good! Who knows?! Just give him the chance!

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And as I say this

Morillo blew the game for the Sky Sox tonight, so by the Rockies' standards, he now qualifies for major league work!

Seriously though, he's not much different than the guys we have here. He throws hard, has erratic command, and yes, occasionally give up leads like tonight. Yet, we control him beyond next season (unlike half the current bullpen), he's shown promise at AA in the bullpen, and he's worth getting a look sooner than later to see if you might have a spot for him next year.

He's far from a savior, but he's a guy that's earned the chance to pitch out of a major league bullpen, and when you have guys that are not getting it done at the top level now, you have few excuses to deny him the opportunity.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 11:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simply cannot lose games like that

to those type of teams and be a contender. Two days, two chances to gain ground and your bullpen snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. The pressure seems too much for many of these guys. Holliday is slumping, Atkins defense, so many mental mistakes are being committed.

Good thing football starts in a few weeks.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I think I'm past anger on the grief cycle

We're improving, but this is not our year, we still have too many bullpen flaws, and an inability to beat the teams and pitchers that we need to. I am, however, taking solace in the fact that '08 should be a good year. Another year of Holliday, Atkins, Hawpe as mainstays, only improvement from Tulo, the (hopeful) emergence of Stewart, and a rotation of Francis, Cook, Jimenez, Morales, and Hirsh, with Manny Corpas leading a (hopefully) rebuilt bullpen. That I can be genuinely excited about.

I've already admitted to myself that the Rockies aren't going to make it this year, and boy, does that hurt -- especially watching them squelch away games to the Pirates like this. But I still love them forever. Can't help it.

Get Demented. I already am, and in severe emotional pain to boot.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

More sobering facts:

.203/.282/.250

That's Torrealba's line for the month of August. Sorry folks, he wasn't turning the corner, he was just going through a hot streak. This is the same old replacement level Torrealba.

As soon as September hits, Iannetta should be given five starts a week to show O'Dowd if he needs to go out and make a big splash for a catcher or just a buffer move.

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice if

Fuentes put together some decent outings to raise his trade value. They need a lefty or two who can get people out and slam down a lefty. More innings from starters and a reliable set up man. How many guys have failed in that role this year, Ramirez, Hawkins, Julio, Affeldt. Only Corpus handled it well.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

we've

had bullpen flaws for 3 years and we got Hawkins.
Morillo should be up right now. It's criminal that nothing's been done to fix the bullpen in 3 years.

by DieHardRoxFan on Aug 20, 2007 10:25 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Aaron Rowland needs to

be signed at any cost. Make a decision on third base and see what you can do for Helton (Yankees). Re-sign Holliday. Keep Carroll. I say let Kaz go even though he may be the only spped guy we have. He just is either hot or cold.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:26 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

This whole notion

that you pitch a closer only with a lead in the 9th is complete horse-crap. Goose, Eck, Mariano, Fingers all pitched extra innings. Hurdle as become to conventional and predictable. He keeps guys in roles until they melt to oblivion.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It may be tough to take the rest of the year

We still have a lot of anger and a lot of unresolved issues. But I for one resolve to stand by the team. Can't agree with them all the time, or support what they do. But they have given me a lot of magic this summer and I am very grateful for that.

Thanks, guys. Now PROMOTE MORILLO, YOU SAD SORRY SACKS.

Seriously.... I've moved beyond anger into acceptance. It's strange. I can never be happy with losing. It hurts too much. But I've had a very wonderful summer thanks in large part to my guys, and while they repay me in cold cash, I am too much of a masochist to ever let them go.

Get Demented. Standing by my guys forever.

by Silverblood on Aug 20, 2007 10:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE

IS THAT ALL ROCKIES MOVES ARE MADE ON THE CHEAP. THE BROS MONFORT AND O'DOWD DO NOT HAVE MUCH CREDITIBILITY IN THIS TOWN. HECK LISTEN TO SPORTS TALK ON THE RADIO AND YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW WE HAVE A MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM. THE BRONCOS, AVS AND NUGGETS HAVE ALL SPENT MONEY TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT AND THE ROCKIES FOR SEVEN YEARS AND AVOIDED IT LIKE THE PLAGUE. THEY ARE CLOSE NOW AND NEED TO BUMP THE PAYROOL UP TO 80m NEXT YEAR TO CLOSE THE DEAL.

WILL THE BROS MONFORT EVER COMMIT TO THIS? NEVER IS MY GUESS.

I THINK A REGIME CHANGE IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR A WS GAME IN DENVER.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:33 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

To end on a good note

Ubaldo was impressive once again. I'm sure he'll have another stinker or two through the final month, but this is why he is in the rotation. He's capable of dominating any game when he has his fastball on. He now has a K rate of 8.36, a walk rate of 3.82, and a K/BB of 2.19 in 37+ innings. You can be a very successful pitcher with those rates. He just needs to be left alone in the rotation and be allowed to work through the good and the bad without demotion being constantly held over his head.

Jimenez and Morales are the future. I cringe when I read articles that stress the Rokcies have two "rookies" in a patchwork rotation. It's these rookies that have been nothing short of fantastic since the injuries ravaged the roster last week. I think these guys are a little better than "patches."

by David OhNo on Aug 20, 2007 10:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

start them the rest of the year and get them ready for next year. Sad as things looked so good a week ago but the pitching injuries and bullpen collapse destroyed the season.

by PinchHitLancePainter on Aug 20, 2007 10:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not just a bullpen collapse.....

but the offense has been blowing opportunity after opportunity, reverting to its early season form. Also, the defense and baserunning has been subpar during this past week.

by Roxpert on Aug 20, 2007 11:01 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That was perhaps

the worst game I've ever been to. I don't really know what else to say.

The only lingering highlight was seeing Dealin' Doug get irked with Dinger and look like he might pop him one. Dealin' Doug sits in the Coors Clubhouse seats (and is at nearly, if not every, game) and had gone into the tunnel during the top of the 9th. He was trying to get back to his seat before the bottom of the 9th and stupid Dinger was bouncing around and blocking his way. Really, if it had gone on another few seconds, there might have been an incident. And I, for one, would have applauded.

by Knepster on Aug 21, 2007 12:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I went to the game

so lets look at what was good........nice crowd for a Monday. I like our future 08 rotation a lot now!

Now for some other impressions: Our bullpen, which was so good for so long has hit a wall. They look gassed. Fuentes can't hit the strike zone any more. He needs to go back on the DL until he gets his command back.

Helton is almost done. Pitchers are pitching him inside now, as pitching him away he slaps it to left. Inside, he's opening up and dropping his shoulder, trying to pull it, and last night he popped it up/flied out. He needs to go. Atkins who was never Brooks Robinson, is looking more like Boog Powell, and booting routine grounders on a regular basis, which is really troubling. I like Atkins bat, but he's regressing defensively at 3rd, and isn't an answer there next year.

So off season: stock the minor leagues (AAA mostly) with near ready arms both starters and pen. Rebuild the major league bull pen around Corpas and Buchholtz. Get a Catcher (Iannetta?) Move Helton, Get a 2nd baseman/Resign Kaz. And knowing the Monforts...do it all on $56.38 and an Arby's 5 for $5.55 coupon.

At least we will have Hurdle next year. I'm sure it will be sold as giving the club "constancy"

Chairman of the Sub-committee to resign Kazuo Matsui

by Redhawk on Aug 21, 2007 6:24 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs