Rockies 3, Pirates 1

by Rox Girl on May 15, 2009 9:55 PM MDT in Rockies Game Wraps

Royal O'Reilly Tenenbaum

1932-2001

Died Tragically Rescuing His Family From The Wreckage Of A Destroyed Sinking Battleship

The Royal Tenenbaum award for an embellished rescue from self-inflicted wreckage goes to Clint Hurdle, who in the ninth inning realized that maybe he had the wrong third baseman. The switch to Ian Stewart proved inspired, as Stewart's lead off double in the ninth inning off of Matt Capps was followed by a two run home run by Brad Hawpe that turned a one to nothing deficit into a two to one lead. The rally has left the Rockies at 14-20, while the Pirates fall to 14-21.

Others that are deserving of praise in the Rockies 3-1 victory:

Jorge De La Rosa - with another dominant start that didn't result in a personal W, the team came through for him in the end.

Ryan Spilborghs - saved De La Rosa and Alan Embree both with his glove, once by robbing Jack Wilson of a home run off JDLR with a leaping catch at the fence, and once more for Embree by ranging deep into left to take a certain double away from Adam LaRoche with an over the shoulder running basket catch.

Rockies Pinch Hitters - Seth Smith, Stewart and Matt Murton went three for three and scored the tying run twice (the first time it was reversed on an appeal to the umpire, see the photo above) and driving in a last insurance run in the ninth.

Todd Helton - His steady glovework was also big and he's now at 1998 career hits thanks to a gift call from the official scorer on what probably should have been an error. Dexter Fowler also was the recipient of a hometown scoring decision that didn't wish to penalize the Pirates defense.

Troy Tulowitzki - his two hits and would be sac fly proved so mea ningless that FanGraphs actually blames him for most of the Rockies' hitting woes tonight (mainly the result of the reversed call on Smith's tying run), but make no mistake that a large reason that the Rockies have been looking more promising of late is getting some right handed production from him and Chris Iannetta. Tonight was Tulowitzki's fifth two hit game since May 8. He's raised his line from .198/.307/.384 on May 7 to his current .250/.349/.472.

Huston Street - struck out the side in the ninth for the well deserved save.

via www.fangraphs.com

Rowbot Roll Call:

Thanks to: fantasyfencing, OrangeTorpedo, Tom (RFTN), indianrox, Jabberwocky, pierzynskirules, MohrPlease, Jester76, ALrockies, WolfMarauder, Chrysicat, WalkInRight, AtkinsandTulofan, holly96, RockiesMagicNumber, dds_dave, befizzle, xxxpickemgenius, ES46NE10, free7694, Charlie77, GoRoxGo, RoxnSox09, BroJB, Poseidon's Fist, Silverblood, smokinRox, EricMedic, alex colfax and myself for the game thread conversation.

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Comments

I would

have captioned that photo “Love and rage, Clint, love and rage.” But I’m not sure anyone would get it.

"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!

by Russ Oates on May 15, 2009 9:59 PM MDT reply actions

The anarchists?

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on May 15, 2009 10:38 PM MDT up reply actions

Finally, some clutch

Seems like I’ve been waiting all season for the moment when somebody puts up, rather than shuts up. I’ve grown so weary of the “We know we have to play better” quotes. Thank you Brad.

Big ol’ tip of the cap to JDLR. I feel for the guy. He has arguably been our best (most consistent) pitcher this season, and has zip to show for it thanks to our anemic offense. Well done, sir. One of these, the bats will get you that first W.

I am under no delusion that this game will turn this season around, but lordy, it felt good to get a win late. Keep it goin’, Rox.

The great thing about baseball is that there's a crisis every day. ~Gabe Paul

by rockhead on May 15, 2009 10:14 PM MDT reply actions

Dangit

*One of these days, the bats…..

Stoopid proff redding

The great thing about baseball is that there's a crisis every day. ~Gabe Paul

by rockhead on May 15, 2009 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions

Good win

This team is battling, folks, even if the results aren’t bearing that out. You could tell by Hawpe’s reaction to his homer that the team wanted and needed this game VERY badly.

A riddle for you: when you feel the need to pinch-hit for your cleanup hitter to lead off the ninth inning in a one-run game, do you think you maybe ought not to have that particular hitter batting cleanup? (Hurdle sounded pretty fed up with Atkins in his postgame comments, so maybe this is the day he discovered that Emperor Atkins has no clothes.)

Also, Huston Street has been pretty bad-ass. He’s our Super Street 16. (oh, that’s terrible)

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 May 15, 2009 10:29 PM MDT reply actions

Are Hurdle's comments quoted somewhere, or was it just on the FSN postgame?

by holly96 on May 15, 2009 10:49 PM MDT up reply actions

I haven't seen a transcript

But it wasn’t so much what he said – which was something along the lines of “He had three chances and didn’t get it done, he wasn’t the right guy for that spot and Stewart was.” It was the way he said it – very matter-of-factly, as though he were describing something that has gone past the point of frustration and introspection and has become “God, this guy is killing my lineup.”

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 May 15, 2009 11:08 PM MDT up reply actions

well said regarding pinch hitting for your cleanup hitter.

by JaySantos on May 15, 2009 11:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Good Jorge

Wow, now he’s even going deep into games. 22 K and 1 walk over his last two starts. I’m considering getting a “Good Jorge #29” jersey. You know, if I actually had any money.

by Tom (RFTN) on May 15, 2009 10:41 PM MDT reply actions

Wish I coulda...

watched the game. I guess I’ll watch the condensed version tomorrow. Late Rays game tonight but worth it I guess. My week end is over. Blah. Blah.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
Jackie Robinson

by walkoff59 on May 15, 2009 10:44 PM MDT reply actions

Definitely don't miss the big plays

Spilly robbing three runs, Smith getting robbed of one, Capps trying to shove Dreamy to the ground, Hawpe’s homer. All spectacular

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on May 15, 2009 10:49 PM MDT up reply actions

This.

For such a low scoring game, there is no dearth of highlights.

The great thing about baseball is that there's a crisis every day. ~Gabe Paul

by rockhead on May 15, 2009 10:52 PM MDT up reply actions

I really want to see the Capps shove, but I don't think there's anywhere I can.

It’s not up on the Gameday highlights, and I doubt they’ll show it on ESPN. Anyone know of somewhere to see that?

by holly96 on May 15, 2009 10:54 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't

It didn’t appear to be intentional. It looked to me like he tried to tag him , but Iannetta was sidestepping him, so he reached further and tagged harder. He seemed to be frustrated from blowing the save and took it out on Iannetta. Unnecessary, but not suspension or fine-worthy. Iannetta’s a big dude – it just pushed him a couple steps off course. Nowhere near Matt Kemp level

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on May 15, 2009 11:06 PM MDT up reply actions

dont get too excited

when it happened it looked like he wanted to be very sure he got the tag. after the fact though, you could see how ianetta thought it was excessive, because it was right in front of the 1st base ump, and a tag doesn’t require a transfer of momentum.
I wish i could help you holly, but I cant. u can trust us though, it wasn’t “flagrant”

if you're reading this, it means my undying support for your team will result in its failure.

by fantasyfencing on May 15, 2009 11:16 PM MDT up reply actions

One to Build On

This is the kind of win that can really get a team going in the right direction. Maybe it won’t make a difference, but this is one that really builds confidence in a team. The good teams always find a way to scratch and claw to victory, but you have to do it once before you stop giving up in the ninth.

I didn’t see much of the game. I heard the bad call on the radio, and Jeff and Jack (two of the game’s finest, in my opinion) were pretty tough on Barry. Unfortunately, I never saw a replay of it. I turned it on just in time to see Spilly’s 8th inning grab (which I Spilly). I couldn’t believe it when I saw Stewart pinch hitting for Atkins, and I mean that in a good way. Stewart’s bat needs to be in the lineup.

What can you say about Hawpe? If he’s not an All-Star this year, it will be an absolute sham.

I thought Iannetta was going to kill Matt Capps. I love that kind of stuff. Nothing like getting a little bad blood brewing in the first game of a 4-game set. I can’t wait to see what transpires over the weekend.

Why is it always in Pittsburgh when the umpires do their best to screw the Rockies? I think that this is the 4th game at PNC Park in the last 4 seasons that the Rockies have fallen victim to a terrible call. Glad to see them pull one of them out finally.

"Horton is win."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on May 15, 2009 11:05 PM MDT reply actions

unless the purple row desktop background schedule is wrong,

its only a 3 game set. The 4 game series is against the Braves, starting monday

if you're reading this, it means my undying support for your team will result in its failure.

by fantasyfencing on May 15, 2009 11:18 PM MDT up reply actions

My Bad

My internal calendar lapsed for a moment. It was apparently still stuck on Thursday.

"Horton is win."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on May 15, 2009 11:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Butterflys are in my stomach

I’m all of a sudden getting these warm and fuzzy feeling for Hurdle. That switch for Atkins and Stewart. Man, maybe now my Rockies can start streaking i.e. 30 game winning streak.

by lizardlad01 on May 15, 2009 11:15 PM MDT reply actions

I could get used to seeing

Rockies: 44-20

grr....im tough

by xxxpickemgenius on May 16, 2009 2:26 AM MDT reply actions

Shouldn't Spilly

get a save as well as Street for this game? lol

8 down....8 to go for a repeat Go Wings!!!

by TuLoRocks2008 on May 16, 2009 9:11 AM MDT reply actions

+1

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
Jackie Robinson

by walkoff59 on May 16, 2009 12:02 PM MDT up reply actions

FOX

I hope that we get to see the game here. I know the Rays game is on Fox at 4pm (est). They have a knack of extending their time slot. Grrr.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."
Jackie Robinson

by walkoff59 on May 16, 2009 12:02 PM MDT reply actions

Rox show great sportsmanship hands down

i was right in front of the play where Capps shoved Ianetta and it was intentional and provoking.. totally unnecessary. Capps was so upset that he blew his save.

& the ump’s call against smith was unbelievable – we saw clearly that he tagged the base. we still cant believe that call wasnt reversed! all in all, the Rockies exemplify great baseball sportsmanship and i’m w/them til the end (however short that might be)!

by kidbaseball on May 16, 2009 6:57 PM MDT reply actions