Saturday Morning Rockpile: Finishers Wanted

by Rox Girl on Apr 25, 2009 9:23 AM MDT in Rockpile

What I keep on going back to from last night was the failure by Rockies pitchers to shut down the weakest parts of the Dodgers lineup. It's one thing to get beaten by Manny Ramirez, Raffy Furcal or Andre Ethier, these are top quality professional hitters, it's another altogether to get beaten by Brad Ausmus and Mark Loretta or to issue two walks to the opposing pitcher. So much of that damage came with two outs, too. It seemed that Aaron Cook, Huston Street and Manny Corpas put all their energy into containing the more difficult section of LA's lineup and then let their guards down at the bottom or when they were close to finishing, and that's just unacceptable to me.

Here are some reactions on the pitching from the pitchers themselves and coaches.

Tracy Ringolsby has more on the growing unease with Aaron Cook's performance thus far.

The good news from last night's game was that much of the offense, including Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins, Ryan Spilborghs and Chris Iannetta continued to clmb out of early season funks, and Troy Tulowitzki's three walks were a far better result from him than the K's he's been racking up, it still would have been nice for Tulo or CDI to come through one last time for us in the ninth against Broxton. However. As Troy Renck puts it (quite well, I must add):

But when losses are measured by moral victories, that's not a good sign at any point in the season.

Unfortunately, the takeaway from the early season is that we've got the ability to compete with every team in the NL West save one, but there's not going to be a prize for second place this year. If the Rockies can't find a way to beat the Dodgers, there should be no reason to expect much from them in 2009. I think it's as simple as that. For those that are interested in the second place race, however, Brandon Webb's most recent shutdown certainly helps.

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This question...

is not neccessarily topical to this post, but it’s born out of frustration with the pitching, etc.: How the hell do pitchers lose/forget their mechanics!? How does Cook forget how to throw a sinker, or U-ball ‘misremembers’ his fastball and where to put it!? How do walk a pitcher – twice!? I have never played baseball, so I’m sure there’s ten million things I don’t get, but what is going on with our guys!?

by Bryce on Apr 25, 2009 9:38 AM MDT reply actions

Ever play golf?

Then you know the golf swing is composed of a lot of moving parts, and if they all don’t fit together just right you’re playing your second shot from off the cart path – if you’re lucky enough to have hit it somewhere you can find it.

Pitching mechanics are very similar in that there are a lot of intricacies that have to fall into place exactly right, and some days, they just don’t. Sometimes the stride gets too long, or the arm gets behind the front side, or the hip drive is slightly off-kilter. It happens – these guys aren’t robots, after all.

I’m not trying to play the “shut up, you never played the game so don’t criticize” card here – But I played at a big Denver-area high school and for a year at a Division III college, and I did pitch, and I know what it feels like to just be out of whack in ways you sometimes won’t recognize until a film session or your next bullpen session. The one thing about pitching – when you’re out of whack, you get pretty immediate feedback in the form of, say, six walks in six innings or giving up a hit of any kind to Brad Ausmus.

Staying on the sunny side of Blake Street since 1993.
The Shawn Chacon Experience - Life as a Rockies fan, one day at a time: Because we're all still recovering from those nine blown saves.

by Franchise26 on Apr 25, 2009 9:58 AM MDT up reply actions

Same with hitting

I play outfield at my junior college and I’m going through the same kind of slump you just described. My mechanics can feel the same as usual but if there’s just one thing off (pulling out your front shoulder, not getting your foot down, dropping your barrel a bit; usually it’s not even noticeable) then my swing won’t be right and I won’t hit the ball hard. It’s feels like there’s no way out of the slump sometimes. Believe me, as frustrating as it is for us fans, it’s ten times more frustrating for the player.

by Brendan Scolari on Apr 26, 2009 12:29 AM MDT up reply actions

And this isn't even taking into account

When the Dodgers go and buy someone at the trading deadline for 9 cents on the dollar. Certainly not encouraging.

Insert clever and witty remark slash pun here!

UMD 8/04 - 5/08: Go Terps!

by ES46NE10 on Apr 25, 2009 10:09 AM MDT reply actions

You're right

The Dodgers can do it without spending big money, even though they can if they have to, because they know when to trade their overvalued assets (Andy LaRoche) for something decent before everyone else figures out that they’re all hype and no play. That is a concept completely lost on the Rockies front office (Ian Stewart is not a f’ing utility player).

by deacs on Apr 25, 2009 10:46 AM MDT up reply actions

Ok don't credit Ned Colletti for this as much as you are

The Dodgers made out like freaking bandits in this trade.

The Red Sahhhhx pretty much just said “Hey here’s Manny. We’re paying. Anyone want him?” Nobody wanted him, but Colletti took a risk, and they have the payroll and market to support a Manny. So they look like geniuses for taking him.

FREE MATT MURTON

by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2009 12:25 PM MDT up reply actions

You laugh at Ausmus

But according to his Baseball-Reference sponsor:

Brad Ausmus is The Bossmus sponsor(s) this page.

As we all know, Brad Ausmus is The Bossmus. Combining Ivy League education with Major League talent is a dangerous and often volatile mixture. Lucky for us, The Bossmus abides. Carry on, Brad, carry on.

And, uhh, how quickly you forget his Ausome, almost double-double 1999 year with the Tigers, after the first time the Astros thought he was too old.

by deacs on Apr 25, 2009 10:35 AM MDT reply actions

I laugh at Ausmus because he's not a good offensive catcher

He got a poke last night. Blind Squirrel, nut, etc.

He has a career .251/.325/.344 line, good for a whopping .669 OPS, and a park-adjusted 75 OPS+ for his career.

He’s clearly defensively sound (or at least was while he was a younger man) attributing to his 900 years in the majors.

FREE MATT MURTON

by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2009 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions

No, I get it

Which makes me wonder why Houston got all worked up and replaced JR Towles after 5 ABs, with another, more expensive light hitting catcher (Pudge) this year.

by deacs on Apr 25, 2009 12:49 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm gonna go ahead and just say that Ed Wade isn't the sharpest tool

And besides, Pudge isn’t intended to be much more than a building piece until they can actually develop another catcher, or Towles as a Geovany Soto breakout.

And honestly, Towles looks better in terms of minor league numbers than Soto did.

FREE MATT MURTON

by Andrew Martin on Apr 25, 2009 1:27 PM MDT up reply actions

Why Doesn't Atkins get a day off?

Hurdle seems to suggest that he’s gonna give more starts to Yorvit if Ianetta doesn’t get going soon. Don’t know why he would put Chris on such a short leash.

Clint seems to want to find playing time for everyone, hence lots of rest for everyone. Except Atkins. Seems like he should be rested more against right handers, allowing Stewart to play his natural position, and getting Barmes more at bats in Coors Field. With Spilly/Smith in left, Dex in Center, and Brad in right, that would seem to be our best offensive/defensive team.

Of course, some guys better start pitching.

by jlikesrockies on Apr 25, 2009 3:43 PM MDT reply actions