Rockies 4, Padres 2; Todd Helton homers in his return, Greg Reynolds strong

by Rox Girl on Mar 8, 2009 6:03 PM MDT in Rockies Game Wraps

Solid pitching by bottom of the rotation candidates Greg Reynolds and Josh Fogg and a two run homerun by Todd Helton in his first game since undergoing back surgery fueled the Rockies victory over the Pardres on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Spilborghs also went three for three for the Rockies offense. Matt Belisle pitched a perfect ninth for the save and the Rockies third straight win after losing their first seven of the Spring.

THE BIG QUESTION: Could some power return be in the cards for Helton in 2009? If his back pain was part of the reason his power was being sapped, and if he's now pretty much free from that pain, it doesn't seem completely out of the question. More power from the Toddfather would certainly be welcome.

Strong pitching and a homerun from Todd Helton?

WRAP RATING: Classic, recyclable, still effective after all this time. Today was a brown paper bag.

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It was a GREAT GAME!!

Fun to watch. The Helton bomb was a blast over the massive center field wall. Reynolds was effective keeping the ball low in the zone getting ground balls. Fogg did just about the same as Reynolds. Morillo was was unlucky with a bloop single and then the double just barely splitting the outfielders. The players were fun and upbeat to talk to. Very optimistic, as they should be. If there are any questions as to what I saw let me know.

"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 8, 2009 6:51 PM MDT reply actions

What did you see?

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 6:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Drills

The minor league pitchers are in camp now and working on drills. Trinidad Hubbard was working with them on bunting drills. They were also working on different pickoff techniques and covering first base on balls hit to the right side.

"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 8, 2009 7:02 PM MDT up reply actions

I Just Saw

Iannetta get a three run double (moved to third on the throw home). Currently:
USA-8
VEN-3

"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 8, 2009 8:15 PM MDT reply actions

You know what's great?

How on the MLB homepage it has “Iannetta rocks Venezuela as U.S. storms back” as it’s front page article and then features a picture of Adam Dunn and Kevin Youkilis… Rockies love in such small doses…

by Resolution on Mar 8, 2009 9:03 PM MDT up reply actions

And He just got another RBI

"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 8, 2009 9:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Final line:

2-3, 2B, 1B, 2BB, 4RBI
OPS: 1.800

He also did a fine job defensively, showcasing his blocking ability.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 9:52 PM MDT up reply actions

We were trying to figure out

if he would be able to follow McCann’s game from yesterday. I think he did just fine.

Congrats CDI!

GO USA!

"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 8, 2009 9:57 PM MDT up reply actions

Chris Iannetta leads team USA in RBIs with 4

Tied with Mark DeRosa

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 9:54 PM MDT up reply actions

EVERY time they mentioned Iannetta in the telecast today

They had to follow it with “the young Rockies catcher.”

I understand if not everyone known who he is, but it’s like they think the fans forget between at-bats.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 9:51 PM MDT up reply actions

They realize that they

are talking to baseball fans who are from the east coast. And he is “a” young Rockies catcher.

"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 8, 2009 9:55 PM MDT up reply actions

East-coasters are forgetful?

Hmm, maybe. CDI may be one of many talented young Rockies catchers, but clearly, it will take time to recognize we have one. Telling everyone he is one of several is too much to take

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 10:01 PM MDT up reply actions

I feel your pain

The four-letter network always seems to find a way to minimize us. But to their credit, they announcers were very complimentary of the way CDI handled the diversity of pitchers he dealt with tonight. I didn’t see the entire game, but our VSB looked very solid in his last two ABs and in his play behind the plate.

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 Mar 8, 2009 10:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Iannetta never looked overmatched

He had a fairly weak swing on a comebacker in his first AB, but he was very patient, saw a lot of pitches and had solid contact on both of his swings. His 3 RBI double hit the wall, and he didn’t hit the sweet spot. He is definitely representin!

In all seriousness though, i don’t care really which article is used in from of “young Rockies catcher.” The WBC isn’t a place to hear about Rosario of McKenry anyway.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 8, 2009 10:37 PM MDT up reply actions