Rockies pitchers only need to tighten up the last 20 percent of their innings, it would seem, as the San Francisco Giants scored all seven runs in just two of the ten frames the teams played Friday afternoon, scoring three off of Rockies starter Greg Reynolds in the third, and four more in the tenth off losing pitcher Steven Register. Juan Morillo, Manny Corpas, Josh Fogg and Randy Flores all contributed scoreless innings in the loss, and Yorvit Torrealba was the only Rockie position player to register two hits.

The Big Question: While not ideal by any means, Reynolds' performance showed some encouraging signs, chiefly an 8-3 GB/FB rate. His biggest drawback remains an inability to avoid contact, as just one of the  twelve outs he recorded was by strikeout. Where are we at with Greg? Would people rather roll the dice on him, with the understanding that he could get hammered again like last summer without pinpoint location? Or would they rather put their money on Jorge de la Rosa, who is getting hammered by opponents and inner demons this Spring, but could wind up the K machine that he became last season... 

Understanding how pitchers evolve, this one isn't necessarily as easy as going with the flavor of the month.

The smaller question: Since when did Josh Fogg become foreordained for a roster spot out of the pen? Is this the slot we've been projecting to go to Glendon Rusch, or is he going after Juan Morillo's status and that Taylor Buchholz injury opening?

Patrick Saunders:

Fogg, apparently destined for a long relief role, worked out of a jam in the eighth.

Tracy Ringolsby:

RHP Josh Fogg, making a case for himself in the bullpen if not the rotation, worked two shutout innings

If it is indeed the slot we were originally projecting would go to Rusch, the current projected pen would leave the Rockies right handed heavy, with only Alan Embree pitching from the left: 

8th/9th: Corpas and Street

7th/8th: Grilli and Speier

Lefty two or three out guy: Embree

Long guy/mop-up/emergency starter: Fogg? Rusch?

Last man: Morillo? Nobody's mentioning him anymore, but he did throw another scoreless inning today...

Confusing the issue is the fact that Rusch hasn't had a single "official" Cactus League inning yet, although he did pitch as recently as March 4th in the B game against the Diamondbacks and this past week in an intrasquad game where he gave up a pair of runs on three hits.

WRAP RATING: A beaded knife sheath fitting the Dragonslayer's move to smaller prey.

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