Saturday Rockpile: Do the Rockies have a rally in them?

by Rox Girl on May 2, 2009 8:45 AM MDT in Rockpile

After last night's game against the Giants, where are we? Tracy Ringolsby writes that there's hope, but how much reason have the Rockies given us for that, so far.

Last night the team went 3 for 7 with RISP, but the problem early was getting baserunners to second, and late it was coming up with the big hit. Chris Iannetta's homerun in the eighth was the 18th solo shot on the season for the Rockies, the other nine HR's for Colorado have been with one runner on. Leaguewide, more than 15% of all homeruns hit in 2009 have been for three runs or more, the Rockies have zero thus far.

In late and close situations as categorized by Baseball Reference, the Rockies are hitting .236/.303/.364 (the NL is hitting .251/.351/.397) and in tie games the Rockies are .207/.311/.349. The Rockies rank 15th out of 16 teams in OPS in that category, but third when the margin is greater than four runs. They rank first in hitting in the first three innings, but thirteenth in the last three. Basically what we're learning as fans is that if the Rockies don't have a big lead after three innings, we can turn the game off. Who is the biggest culprit among our regulars on late game offense? Here's the chart. The answer might surprise you, it did me. That's not to say there's not plenty of blame to be spread around, however. I would be remiss if I didn't point out Yorvit Torrealba and Clint Barmes at the top of that list as the early season's best late inning hitters thus far.

Our pitchers, btw, are dead last in the NL when it comes to OPS allowed in the late innings, but the opening innings aren't much better, we rank 14th.

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I'm only surprised by one of those people in the late innings being horrible

The others, not shocked.

Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies

by Andrew Martin on May 2, 2009 9:21 AM MDT reply actions

It just really surprised me to see how much better Bradley is

in innings 1-3 than he is late in the game. To go from our best hitter early to our worst late is quite a swing.

by Rox Girl on May 2, 2009 9:55 AM MDT up reply actions

Just a few other splitsky numbers

We’re batting .280/.364/.425/.789 with RISP. BR breaks it down nicely for us.

We’re also not doing too badly with RISP.

Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies

by Andrew Martin on May 2, 2009 9:58 AM MDT reply actions

This is mostly true, except for runners on second and third with first base empty.

We’re pretty ugly in that situation.

by Rox Girl on May 2, 2009 10:34 AM MDT up reply actions

.083 AVG? Ouch!

Obviously the Rockies need to mirror the dBacks approach since they are ranked 5th in this category.

Ef you baldo try Hair-Be Dere!!

by Charlie77 on May 2, 2009 10:51 AM MDT up reply actions

Baseball

It never ceases to amaze me how painful each loss is, and still you go through it 70,80, 90 times a season…

and those numbers are painful. Oh well. Still our Rox.

by Bryce on May 2, 2009 10:11 AM MDT reply actions

Seth Smith .500 OBP with RISP in the late innings...

Just another reason he should be starting above Brad Hawpe. Ian Stewart’s .364 OBP vs Atkins .148 is another reason “The Fighting Scotsman” should be starting. Here is a comparison of their current RZR defensive ratings:
3B
Caber Stewart – .800
Fankles Atkins – .643

OF
Smith (LF) – .917
Spilly (RF) – 1.000
Hawpe (RF) – .889

Ef you baldo try Hair-Be Dere!!

by Charlie77 on May 2, 2009 10:46 AM MDT reply actions

I know I may get some heat for this...

…but Hawpe’s numbers aren’t going to stay like that. He’s always been a good hitter in those situations. It’s Atkins and Tulo I’m worried about; the struggles of those two guys has absolutely KILLED the Rockies so far.

But, then again – there’s this whole “pitching” thing that hasn’t helped either…What exactly is pitching anyway? I thought I had heard of it a couple of years ago, but I must be mistaken.

"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." -Bob Dylan

by Bryan Kilpatrick on May 2, 2009 11:25 AM MDT reply actions

Last Night

Clutch hitting was not the problem last night. They had 3 consecutive base hits with RISP. Unfortunately, they were only able to score one run in those three hits because Edgar Renteria was diving all over the field and managed to keep every one of them on the infield. That saved the game. The Rockies did everything they could.

The numbers are depressing, though. Hawpe will hit, as will Atkins. The trouble is, Atkins seems to have forgotten how to drive in runs in the last two years. Hawpe was hurt through the spring. He was just getting his swing back when he got hit in the head the other night. We’ll see how far it sets him back.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Atkins must be traded. He is more of a liability at this point because he keeps Stewart’s bat out of the lineup. I’d have no problem if Christian Colonel were called up to spot start for Helton. Atkins needs to be flipped for a starting pitcher. Stewart needs to be in the lineup every day. He represents that “Holliday-like” power threat.

"Horton is win."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on May 2, 2009 11:34 AM MDT reply actions

At what point does that stop, though?

We keep tipping our cap to the opponent but don’t ever get it tipped back. All these close games that we’re letting the other guys put in the bank for later in the season while our stash remains empty won’t help us down the stretch. If Renteria dives and stops three hits from going to the outfield, half the time you’ve got to make sure you get that OF hit with guy #4, or you add another earlier, you simply can’t afford to take losses in all these close games. The Rockies just don’t seem to have enough weapons right now to make this happen, and the team’s running out of time in its wait for Atkins or Hawpe or Tulo to come around in these situations.

I think you’re right about Atkins needing to be moved, he’s not going to bring a starting pitcher, though.

by Rox Girl on May 2, 2009 12:08 PM MDT up reply actions

How bout a starting 2nd baseman

Or a power hitting 1st baseman/of in lower minors that will be ready in 3 years

or a bullpen power arm

or tickets to a dinner theater production of “Damn Yankees”?

by Redhawk on May 2, 2009 12:24 PM MDT up reply actions

1 ticket to Damn Yankees

and a slightly used VHS of Yanni Live at Red Rocks. That’s my best offer.

by Rox Girl on May 2, 2009 12:42 PM MDT up reply actions

Sold! No take backs

by Redhawk on May 2, 2009 1:20 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't think it should ever be a habit

Unfortunately, that’s what it has become. Last night was a game that you do just have to tip your cap to the opponent. When you’re getting shut down by the likes of James MacDonald and such, though, as has been the case thus far this season and most of last, no excuses apply. You just have to play better.

I don’t like to paint a picture of the “unlucky team”. When you lose, I usually feel that either:

A) You didn’t play well enough.
B) The other team was just better.

Last night, I don’t think it was either. In all of the other 1-run losses this year, it’s been A). The Rockies just haven’t gotten the job done. I think that the 8th inning last night was a case of doing everything right and taking advantage of opportunities. Sometimes the other guy just makes a great play. Or 3 great plays in a row, as was the case last night.

"Horton is win."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on May 2, 2009 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions

Rox

I think we’re the kind of team that Nuggets head coach George Karl would call a ‘good bad team.’ Which means all we need to fix our season is a trade for a native Coloradan to give us a spark and some direction.

Yeah, you know who I’m talking about… David Aardsma.

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 2, 2009 11:36 AM MDT reply actions

I will kill you

Matt Murton status: Freed
Garrett Atkins status: Not Traded
Clint Hurdle status: Still Employed by the Rockies

by Andrew Martin on May 2, 2009 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions

You really shouldn't say things like that

haven’t you watched Law and Order or Cold Case? …next thing you know some one turns up dead..and guess who is the 1st suspect

by Redhawk on May 2, 2009 12:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Yeah, you know who I’m talking about…Roy Halladay

These are the same core group of men that went 21 - 1 to win the NL pennant. Never, ever, ever believe that MY TEAM is out of it.

by The Lodo Magic Man on May 2, 2009 1:12 PM MDT up reply actions

Hmm...Aardsma, Halladay...you make it tough

We could also further our OF problem and get CIN OF Darnell McDonald. Pick up Mark Grudzielanek. Or there’s always Sean Thompson. Chase Headley? Kouzmanoff? Okay, so other than Halladay, there are no Billups-like saviors. It is written. May it be done.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on May 2, 2009 1:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Can we trade Matt Holliday for Halladay?

and by Holliday I mean:
Carlos Gonzalez
Huston Street
Greg Smith
and throw in Christian Friedrich?

Ef you baldo try Hair-Be Dere!!

by Charlie77 on May 3, 2009 10:02 AM MDT up reply actions

Can't throw in Friedrich until the June Draft is done...

Eschew Obfuscation!

by Jeff Aberle on May 3, 2009 11:15 AM MDT up reply actions

Seriously, Bud Selig?

Why the hell is the Mets v. Phillies on instead of the Rockies?

"DAMMIT! No, calm down. Learn to enjoy losing." --Hunter S. Thompson

by PioneerSkies on May 2, 2009 11:37 AM MDT reply actions

They're the defending champs

Just be glad it isn’t the Red Sox or Yankees again.

"I promise you two things. You will endure more pain than any man has ever known, and you will have your revenge. And there will be a chocolate smoothie afterwards. Oh, damn. Three things. Pain, revenge, smoothie. And you get to be bishop of Nova Scotia. Crap! I promise you four things. No, wait. Five things!"

by kishi on May 3, 2009 12:20 AM MDT up reply actions

Would you rather watch the Phillies than the D-Backs?

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on May 3, 2009 12:11 PM MDT up reply actions

Interesting team stats on FanGraphs

The Rockies are the second to last clutch hitting team in MLB.

And kind of a mystical stat, but we’re 7th in WPA/LI offensively, 26th in pitching

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on May 2, 2009 11:49 PM MDT reply actions

Also

#1 in plate disciple in terms of swinging at pitches out of the zone. Won’t win you a World Series, but at least we’re not a bunch of Pablo Sandovals.

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on May 2, 2009 11:52 PM MDT up reply actions