Remebering Rocktober: NLDS Game 3, Rockies 2, Phillies 1

by free7694 on Oct 6, 2008 1:09 PM MDT in Rocktober

The first official playoff game at Coors Field since 1995 saw a little bit of everything. But, the important part was that the Rockies were up 2-0 on the Phils, and only needed one win to get to the NLCS.

Ubaldo Jimenez struggled a bit in the first inning, but struck out Aaron Rowand to escape a jam with runners on 1st and 3rd.

In the second, it got weird. With Ubaldo facing Shane Victorino to leadoff the inning, all of the field lights at Coors shut off for 14 minutes. Giving Ubaldo much needed time to clear his head. Once the lights came back on, Ubaldo set the Phillies down in order in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings.

The problem for the Rockies was that Jamie Moyer was doing the same thing. The Rockies threatened in the bottom of the second, getting 2-out singles from Hawpe and Spilly. Moyer then walked Yorvit to load the bases...for Ubaldo, who grounded out to end the inning.

No one really threatened to score again until the fifth when Yorvit got a one out single and was sacrificed to second by Ubaldo. That brought up Game 2 hero Kaz Matsui, who tripled down the left field line, scoring Torrealba and giving the Rockies a 1-0 lead.

The Phillies answered in the 7th, when Victorino hit a solo shot off a tired Ubaldom tying the game, 1-1.

The game stayed tied until the bottom of the 8th, when Atkins and Hawpe each got 2-out singles, putting runners on 1st and 3rd for the pitchers' spot. Jeff Baker came in to pinch hit and dropped a bloop single into right field, scoring Atkins and giving the Rockies a 2-1 lead with Corpas ready in the 'pen to face the heart of the Phillies order.

Corpas did his job in the 9th, striking out Ryan Howard and getting weak ground balls from Rowand and Victorino, and the Rockies were headed to the NLCS!

The brooms were everywhere that night, I was there with my brother and family and we had a silver and black broom with a Rockies logo on it. I'll try and post a pic of it later tonight with some more of the story of my day that day.

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One of the funniest things I've ever seen

was after that game. Me and my friend went to the Denver Diner later after the game. We we sitting there talking about the game when we noticed some Philly fans eating. A kid probably about 13 or 14 walks over to their table and starts pushing an invisible broom by them. One of the guys says “What are you doing kid?” and the kid without missing a beat says “Just sweeping up here, just sweeping up.” I thought they were going to beat him down. Every time I watch or see highlights of that series I’ll always laugh at “Just sweeping up here, just sweeping up.”

by bk6331 on Oct 6, 2008 1:27 PM MDT reply actions

lol, very nice

by roxbombers on Oct 6, 2008 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Ha! That's hilarious!!

Rockin' October

by Charlie77 on Oct 6, 2008 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions

just can't wait until the winter meetings and see how this team is going to look for next yr

by roxbombers on Oct 6, 2008 2:27 PM MDT reply actions

The lights went out...

I still think the reason behind the lights going out was due to the fact that the lights were on a timer. Coor’s field wasn’t used to being utilized that late in the season.

Rockin' October

by Charlie77 on Oct 6, 2008 5:49 PM MDT reply actions

I was there that night

Don’t think I’ve ever been so geeked out before a ball game. Was lucky enough to have seats that were out of the wind. I remember it blowing pretty stiffly through much of the game. And I remember that there were snowflakes floating in that wind.

A year later, and I don’t remember so much about the game itself as I remember the atmosphere at Coors. “Electric” is much too tame a word. In my heart I knew that rally towels were kind of lame, but the sight of 50,000 of them whirling in the night sent chills through me. From the upper deck, it was a truly thrilling sight. To see it all happening because of my beloved Rockies was the best thing ever.

I remember the blackout:

I remember the brooms, the high fives, and the fireworks.

I remember it being one of the best nights of my life.

Great post. Thanks for stirring up the memories!

I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. -Georg C. Lichtenberg:

by rockhead on Oct 6, 2008 7:38 PM MDT reply actions

Oh right.

I remember the blackout! I thought it was awesome. :)

by Squeaky on Oct 7, 2008 8:02 AM MDT up reply actions

Memories of that game....

That game was actually the first time my wife and I had ever sat in the LF pavilion, and all I could think was, damn, I can’t tell balls and strikes. We were also sorta surrounded by Phillies fans (weird), who we were pleased to see go home rather unhappy.

Ironically, they were the typical loutish Phillies fans, so that was bonus.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Oct 6, 2008 8:18 PM MDT reply actions