Rockies 9, Pirates 7: DID I JUST SEE THAT?! Rockies clinch another series
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 20, 2009 11:03 PM MDT
in Rockies Game Wraps
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PrintIannetta and Helton lead supercharged comeback and walkoff win
There's only one thing the Rockies crazy streak has been lacking, at least when comparing to that other streak. There had been no dramatic-epic-come-from-behind-walk-off wins. No curtain calls or even many close games. Now the streak is complete.
Things looked rosy for the Rockies going into the sixth. Ian Stewart had just hit a 2 run home run off a tough lefty in Sean Burnett for a 4-2 lead, and Jason Hammel was cruising on his way to a career high fifth straight win. Hammel opened the seventh by allowing two singles and a walk, and Jim Tracy turned to Matt Daley. Rookie Andrew McCutchen promptly tripled just beyond the glove of Carlos Gonzalez in left center, and Nyjer Morgan followed with a single past the drawn in infield.
Alan Embree then shut the door by inducing a double play but allowed consecutive doubles in the eighth for a 7-4 lead. Joel Peralta turned in yet another strong performance in getting three outs and facing just two batters. Then the fireworks started.
John Grabow walked Brad Hawpe but made Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart look silly with two clutch strikeouts. Carlos Gonzalez rapped a solid single, then Chris Iannetta calmly turned an 0-2 pitch into a towering 3-run tying home run, his first home run to centerfield. He joined Tulowitzki and Hawpe in the 10 HR club during the series.
Huston Street worked through two baserunners in the ninth but got the win when the Rockies took the game in walk-off fashion in the ninth. Pinch-hitter extraordinaire Seth Smith pulled an 0-2 pitch for a single, and Todd Helton belted a majestic 2-run walk-off home run. A no doubter to deep right. Kind of reminds me of another night. Are you grinning like a fool now? Box Score
Notes
- The Rockies have now won 15 of their last 16 games. As far I can tell, that hasn't happened in any one regular season in franchise history. The last time it happened overall was Sep. 16, 2007 - April 1, 2008. Carlos Gonzalez has been with the team for all but one of the wins.
- Until Matt Daley allowed the 3-run double in the seventh, Jason Hammel had an ERA under 4.00. For a brief moment, the Rockies had three starting pitchers with sub-4.00 ERAs. The most they have ever finished a season with is two, in 2008.
- The win clinches a series win for the Rockies, giving them five straight series victories. They only had four all season preceding the streak.
- Colorado has now scored the second most runs in the National League and only trail Los Angeles and St.Louis (by two) in run differential in the Senior Circuit.
- The Rockies have won the last six games started by Jason Hammel.
- With losses by Cincinnati and Milwaukee, the Rockies moved to within two games of the wild card, tied for third place with the Cubs and Mets.
And for the most awesome WPA graph of the season:
WPA Heroes:
Ian Stewart (.427) - 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, K
Chris Iannetta (.378) - 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Todd Helton (.302) - 2-for-, HR, 2 RBI
WPA Zeroes:
Matt Daley (-.349) - 0.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 K, 3 inherited runners score
Jason Hammel (-.145) - 6.0+IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K
Quiet Star:
Joel Peralta quieted things down after Matt Daley and Alan Embree struggled in relief of Jason Hammel. He made a great play to get the lead runner on a bunt with two on and no out, picked off a runner and struck out a man. His gutsy performance set the stage for Iannetta and Helton.
Rowbot Roll Call
WolfMarauder, MohrPlease, coolopotamous, holly96, mkorpal, TulsaDriller, Mondogarage, AtkinsandTulofan, lizardlad01, Narcoleptico, Poseidon's Fist, rockies17_4, dogs, El Paso Jeff, Russ, Franchise26, fatheadX, Shoemaker, OrangeTorpedo, wolf213, theshiva, fantasyfencing, indianrox, Maris6161, Hizilla, walkoff59, SC Memphis Raines, DieHardRox, FooMan, purplesocks, Kaneda, JBauer6430, WalkInRight, befizzle.
No centurions tonight.
Comment of the night:
This is paralleling 2007 so much...
it’s kind of scaring me.
Notice their 2007 record after 68 games. WEIRD. They have had the same record as the 2007 team after each of the last seven games. Cue the creepy music.
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Comments
Fixed the graph...
and I totally thought I saw jrockies in the FSN broadcast.
What a game!
Eschew Obfuscation!
me too - purple shirt as they were comming back from commercial right?
by TulsaDriller on Jun 20, 2009 11:11 PM MDT up reply actions
yep...they were going into commercial when I saw him
maybe he was on twice?
Eschew Obfuscation!
by Jeff Aberle on Jun 20, 2009 11:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Can you fix it again?
I’m on a different computer, and it’s not handling SB Nation quite right.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 20, 2009 11:11 PM MDT up reply actions
Hrm...I see what you mean.
FanGraphs was on the fritz earlier, so maybe it’s related to that.
Eschew Obfuscation!
by Jeff Aberle on Jun 20, 2009 11:16 PM MDT up reply actions
OMG I thought I saw him too....
weirdness all around tonight. We can’t all be crazy….can we?
"Maybe the problem is, you guys forgot how much fun this is. You're major leaguers. You're on baseball cards. What could be better? Don't worry about winning and losing. Just go out and play, have fun." -- Billy Heywood (Little Big League)
by AtkinsandTulofan on Jun 20, 2009 11:13 PM MDT up reply actions
I was there
right next to the right field foul pole where a camera was conveniently located, and I’m sure it was focused on me more than once, but I don’t know when or if it was broadcast. Thanks for the info. GREAT GAME!!!
"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK
OMG yes...I am not crazy!
Happy you got to be there for the awesome game that was tonight!:)
"Maybe the problem is, you guys forgot how much fun this is. You're major leaguers. You're on baseball cards. What could be better? Don't worry about winning and losing. Just go out and play, have fun." -- Billy Heywood (Little Big League)
by AtkinsandTulofan on Jun 20, 2009 11:29 PM MDT up reply actions
WPA Graph tonight
+infinity
"Maybe the problem is, you guys forgot how much fun this is. You're major leaguers. You're on baseball cards. What could be better? Don't worry about winning and losing. Just go out and play, have fun." -- Billy Heywood (Little Big League)
by AtkinsandTulofan on Jun 20, 2009 11:08 PM MDT reply actions
Let's get Todd into the mid-summer classic!
I’m hoping that someone more stat-smart than me can write a great fanpost about Todd’s All-Star worthiness.
Let’s get that vote out!
HOF
Also, when it comes to baseball broadcasters there is none more knowledgable than Tim Kurkjian. Talking about Helton on BBTN he had this to say, "Going to the hall of fame?…he’s going! 2000 hits – look at the career batting average, look at the golden gloves, look at the doubles – he’s going". Few baseball writers/sportscasters have their fingers on the pulse of all things baseball like Kurkjian.
Does Kurkjian have a vote?
As more and more mashers get caught with roids, I worry less about the impact of Toddfather’s somewhat lower HR numbers…he should be almost a lock, but I’d like to see 2500 hits…
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Jun 20, 2009 11:12 PM MDT up reply actions
I hope so
But I’m not holding my breath. Walker may not get in, and his numbers are similar to Heltons. Plus, he has more hardware to boot.
Walker may be a borderline candidate
But I figure Todd’s got at least two more decent years after this one to add to counting stats, and his lifetime BA ranks truly high
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Jun 20, 2009 11:24 PM MDT up reply actions
Helton will have a higher Average and OBP
And may have more hits. But Walker will have more home runs and a MVP trophy to his name. If Walker is a borderline candidate, than so is Helton.
Hate to say it.
His career isn't over,
so there’s that. Helton has the same problems as Walker overcoming the distrust of the home park, and the general non-winning nature of the team. But he’s been more durable. I think if he continues to bring his counting numbers up, that will help a lot.
Free Seth Smith!
Helton can win votes from playoff appearances...
multiple playoff appearances that is, if you get my drift.
Check out my Rockies comic strip at:
Rock Drive 1.4
If this is '07 redux...
Let’s beat the Sox this time!
A WS ring would help burnish Tod’s credentials.
Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
His injury history suggests otherwise
If you can’t back that up, don’t come in claiming it.
Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 21, 2009 1:06 PM MDT up reply actions
Lower HR numbers
He’s top 100 ALL-TIME
"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK
how many 1B get to go to the all star?
because it will be really tough to beat out Pujols, Gonzo, and Fielder who all have +1 OPS
by purplesocks on Jun 20, 2009 11:29 PM MDT up reply actions
three is pretty much it.
Helton’s not worthy this year. Very difficult argument to make, as those three you named plus others are having a similar year or better than Helton. I try to balance year to date with something like a current year projection, but that doesn’t help Helton either.
He doesn’t have to make the team for us to appreciate him, though.
Free Seth Smith!
true
im just hoping we get one more than hawpe. maybe marquis if he keeps it up
by purplesocks on Jun 20, 2009 11:43 PM MDT up reply actions
It's not unreasonable to think Street might just make it
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
Helton doesn't deserve to be in the All-Star game
He’s currently 8th in WAR in among NL first baseman, behind Gonzalez, Pujols, Fielder, Howard, Nick Johnson, Lee, and Berkman. And that’s not even including guys who have played first base part-time like Mark Reynolds and Pablo Sandoval.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 21, 2009 12:43 AM MDT up reply actions
Don't really agree with this. If a player's WAR determined All-Star worthiness, there would be no need to vote.
I’m not implying that stats are unimportant just that they are one component of my (and others) criteria for voting. For example, stat-wise Manny is a 1st-team All Star no matter how you cut it; and, having served his suspension, will be eligible to play – that said, he is a showboating, subtance abuser, with poor defensive skills who dresses/acts unprofessionally and would never receive my vote. Helton brings a blue collar approach to the game, is always a tough AB for a pitcher, solid (read good) stats, & great defense. All baseball fans are sentimental by nature and I don’t see this as a weakness. I prefer the smell of the grass and the crack of the bat to the glare of the computer-generated stat spreadsheet. Get Helton in!
by TulsaDriller on Jun 21, 2009 12:45 PM MDT up reply actions
Fan voting is stupid
incredibly stupid.
Like we talked about in RockiesCast for Friday, if the game is gonna count, don’t let the fans vote.
Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 21, 2009 1:07 PM MDT up reply actions
+1
Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton
I was responding to this statement of yours:
“I’m hoping that someone more stat-smart than me can write a great fanpost about Todd’s All-Star worthiness.”
And my point is that Helton isn’t worthy of being in the All-Star game.. He has not been a top 5 first baseman in the NL this year, so he shouldn’t play in the game. You are free to vote for him of course, but he has not been one of the better starters in the league at his position. And Manny has nothing to do with it, he doesn’t deserve to play either, he hasn’t played in enough games.
“I prefer the smell of the grass and the crack of the bat to the glare of the computer-generated stat spreadsheet. "
I don’t think you’ll find many people who disagree with you on this. But what it has to do with Helton’s All-star candidacy I’m not sure.
by Brendan Scolari on Jun 23, 2009 3:05 PM MDT up reply actions
Those are certainly some crazy WPAs...
not to mention Street getting .143 for his scoreless ninth and John Grabow’s -.410!
Eschew Obfuscation!
I guess I'll repost
Sorry if this isn’t appropo, but…
I have two club level tix to tomorrow’s game, and I’m going. But it looks like my wife won’t be able to go. I’d hate to simply waste one of them. I’ll post a new comment here in the morning if it’s available, but if a Rowbot wants to sit in Section 216 tomorrow (it’s in row 2 or 3, aisle seats), let me know, or leave me an e-mail. If it happens, I’d like to get $20 for it to help defer the cost I paid.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
I'd do it...but I've already got tickets in section 331.
Eschew Obfuscation!
by Jeff Aberle on Jun 20, 2009 11:29 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm interested
and I think I sent you an e-mail (I hope I got the address right off your blog Donkin’ in the Rockies)
"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK
Yup, you got it right...wrote you back this morning
I’ll know for sure in about an hour, but signs point to yes.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
I don't know if I'll sleep tonight or not
I’m still so freakin’ high after that game. Jack Buck comes to mind with “I don’t believe what I just saw!”. Beautiful. Although I have to tell you Rowbots that I had a telepathic moment with CDI just before his boomer. I reminded him of his college heritage and that at any moment, any Tar Heel is capable of serious clutch. And see what happened? You’re welcome. (Yes, I realize that it’s preposterous, but humor an old guy for an evening, won’t you?)
15 out of 16? Folks recalling the magical run of ’07? How much fun is this? WooHoo! Go Rockies!
And how far back are we now?
I totally called the Helton walkoff...
but alas, there were no witnesses to verify the event.
Eschew Obfuscation!
I told the Usher
that I was excited to see Helton come up third, just before the inning started, as a foreshadow to what I would hope would happen.
"We made too many wrong mistakes." ~Yogi Berra
"The ballplayer who loses his head, who can't keep his cool, is worse than no ballplayer at all." ~Lou Gehrig
JFK
And a note to PF
Great wrap tonight, dude. Caught all the good stuff, complete with the perfect link to Todd’s walkoff against Saito. Excellent work all the way around.
And how far back are we now?
Hey thanks...good to hear the positives
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 21, 2009 9:52 AM MDT up reply actions
2007 parallels
I was just thinking…before this game, they won 14 of 15, with one loss in there after an eleven game win streak (I think that’s right? I may be wrong). Then tonight, there’s a walk off win to the tune of 9-7, which is one away from the 9-8 score of the tiebreaker.
I don’t know. I’m probably reaching here, but this all just struck me at the end of the game and I found myself in one of those “weeeeirrrd…” moments when I realized the similarities. Deja vu all over again.
You're not the only one
I don’t care what Russ says. I’m not saying they’ll make it to the World Series or anything, but some of these things are just too weird. At least it’s June and not September. That helps.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 21, 2009 9:54 AM MDT up reply actions
But I'm not saying
what you think I’m saying.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Then what are you saying?
I’m just saying the parallels are mystical in nature, even if they have no predictive power.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 21, 2009 12:47 PM MDT up reply actions
You'd need to know
the historiography of history and a little book titled That Noble Dream by Peter Novick to start to understand how it was a joke.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Oh right...sense of humor strikes again
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 22, 2009 6:24 AM MDT up reply actions
I love listening to the highlights on the radio after the game
Here’s the call of the Helton homer, best as I can recall:
“Swung on, hit deep! Right field! That ball’s goin’! It ain’t comin’ back! Todd’s done it, and they’re gonna mob him at the plate! He raises the right hand, flips the helmet off, and jumps into the mob! This game is over, and this one is a Rockies winner at Coors Field!” – Jeff Kingery
"Horton is win."
--Horvil Tiki
Great game..
I just finished watching the replay game on MLB.tv and it was amazing!! The Padres fans I work with here in San Diego are all giving their props to this team. I hope this run continues.
Check out my Rockies comic strip at:
Rock Drive 1.4
heyy
i wasn’t mentioned in the Roll call! haha it’s ok i came in late because i had just got home….loving the rocks right now and these wins feel even better because they came all the way back in the late innings with clutch clutch hits…man does Doom ever hit a wall scraper? haha….GO ROCKIES!
we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE
I usually pull the roll call at the last out
otherwise the talk is more game wrap related than game thread.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 21, 2009 9:52 AM MDT up reply actions
Games I wish I hadn't missed
I was hanging out with my sister who normally lives in Seattle and watching a movie.
Oh well, family first, amirite?
Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
It happens to all of us
I missed the first 20 innings of the 22 inning affair. And the first seven of the play-in game.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 21, 2009 9:57 AM MDT up reply actions
Just noticed Francis is in the mob receiving Helton
Good to see him there… Had no idea he was with the team right now
I saw that, too.
I imagine it would be tough to be on your own while injured for that long. I’m glad he gets to enjoy it at least somewhat.
He's been the guy catching the ceremonial first pitches
and hi fiving the kids and stuff
Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: Badass
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY
by Andrew Martin on Jun 21, 2009 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions
He was also part of the "Sunday Autographs" program
before today’s game…along with Torrealba, which kind of surprised me.
Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
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