Rockies 4, White Sox 1: Good Jorge and the Colorado bullpen dominate the ChiSox

by Bryan Kilpatrick on Mar 31, 2009 8:28 PM MDT in Rockies Game Wraps

9 IP, 11 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K. That line was the story of today's Cactus League contest between the Rockies and White Sox. Though that looks like some of last season's lines put up by other teams' hurlers against the Rockies' offense, Colorado's pitchers were actually responsible for this one.

Jorge De La Rosa, looking to gain some confidence with a good outing against a very good Major League lineup, showed up today - pitching 5.1 innings of very good baseball. Though he scattered 7 hits, JDLR only walked one batter and struck out 9. What's good about that is he didn't seem to be out there just trying to whiff every batter he faced, either, as this quote can back up:

“I don’t really care about the strikeouts,” De La Rosa said. “I just wanted to pitch good with fastball command. I felt much better with my rhythm today.”

The Rockies' bullpen didn't let things get away from them after De La Rosa's exit, as they continued to baffle the White Sox offense by giving up only four hits and a walk in 3.2 innings, while punching out two.

On the offensive side of things, two Rockies utility men had good days at the plate. Jeff Baker had two hits and a couple of runs scored, and Clint Barmes had three hits in as many at bats, scored two runs, and collected an RBI. Scott Podsednik also chipped in two hits, and Omar Quintanilla hit a triple off the bench (and was thrown out at home trying to stretch an inside-the-park homer).

Tomorrow, the Rockies stay on the road as they face the Kansas City Royals in Surprise. Aaron Cook will take the mound and face Gil Meche in the Rockies' final Spring Training game in the Phoenix area.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the game thread...you kiddies behave yourselves!

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Tounge out

Tounge out usually means a curve ball. Looks like a split finger fastball though.

by brian8065 on Mar 31, 2009 8:59 PM MDT reply actions

Just Announce it Already

So Hurdle has picked the closer, I assume Corpas, and he is going to wait a few more days to announce it. The fans want to know and I’m sure the players want to know as well. Just do it already.

"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK

by jrockies on Mar 31, 2009 9:22 PM MDT reply actions

Seems

somewhat juvenile….

Insert witty and/or humorous signature here.

by DbacksSkins on Mar 31, 2009 9:25 PM MDT up reply actions

Well Renck's latest blog

“However, there are growing indications that Street is going to get the job.”

If this is the case, I am not very happy. Corpas has out pitched Street in every imaginable way this Sring.

by wolf213 on Mar 31, 2009 9:30 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm happy

by mkorpal on Mar 31, 2009 10:11 PM MDT up reply actions

But my fantasy team is not.

Corpas really needs to be the closer or I’m in trouble.

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on Mar 31, 2009 10:46 PM MDT up reply actions

You would?

I have Street and Hoffman. I had to pick up BJ Ryan. Yuck.

by mkorpal on Mar 31, 2009 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions

Guess

I just always have had a soft spot for Corpas, when he’s on, he is unhittable. And his pitches have some of the best movements I had ever seen… then I saw Yu Darvish pitch.

Anyways, I’m sure Street will be fine, and its really is a decent bullpen with Corpas and Street at the back end. Add Bucky when he’s healthy, and Grilli before him… you only need your starters throwing 5 innings.

by wolf213 on Mar 31, 2009 11:11 PM MDT up reply actions

Plus Rusch has been impressive in a Rockies uniform

last year and especially this spring. So the only weak spot in the bullpen can throw 102+

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 31, 2009 11:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Speier and Morillo are no slouches either

I am very, very excited about this pen. It’s going to take the NL West by surprise.

by Greg Stanwood on Mar 31, 2009 11:37 PM MDT up reply actions

I definitely think it's the division's best bullpen

with the Dodgers right there with us and the Giants not too far behind. Arizona’s pen is decent, and of course San Diego’s is atrocious.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 31, 2009 11:52 PM MDT up reply actions

Still, if we make it to the postseason

the commentators can’t say how we have seven BP guys with notable closer experience (Corpas, Fuentes, Herges, Julio, Speier, Hawkins, Affeldt). That was fun. Now just Corpas, Street, Speier and Embree

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 31, 2009 11:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Street and Corpas have been about even after about the first week or so

That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t have also picked Corpas myself, but I’m not particularly worried about Street., He’s been just fine for the last good while. Plus, worst case scenario, one balks (figuratively or literally) and we can immediately shove the other in there. I’m still not even opposed to having a dual closer thing going on, but most are, so I’ll stop there.

by Greg Stanwood on Mar 31, 2009 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm with you.

Two guys capable of closing it down seems like a good thing to me. Switch off between the 8th and 9th. Now I know others will howl but it just doesn’t seem like a bad thing to me.

by pedalpusher on Mar 31, 2009 10:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Not Howling

It is a good idea, especially if there are some match ups that Clint should play.

"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK

by jrockies on Mar 31, 2009 10:43 PM MDT up reply actions

The two biggest potential flaws...

1. Inconsistent roles damage their confidence and performance.
2. We don’t get any star level performances out of our closer.

1 isn’t necessary, and 2 doesn’t matter. I think it’s worth a shot, but we’re going to be at least beginning the season with 1 closer, and the beat writers seem to be thinking Street for now.

by Greg Stanwood on Mar 31, 2009 10:57 PM MDT up reply actions