Rockies split double header with Mets, look to regroup in Cincinnati

by Rox Girl on Jul 30, 2009 9:24 PM MDT in Rockies Game Wraps

So we know that by the Sinatra Theorem that the Rockies probably can't make it anywhere, but can they at least make it in the places that matter?

So word tonight comes down that the Rockies aren't likely to make another move by the non-waiver trade deadline tomorrow afternoon. The team will be at most one game behind in the Wild Card standings pending tonight's Giants/Phillies game.

What happened in New York wasn't the Rockies getting exposed. It wasn't even a terribly large slump. It was randomness. Rockies pitchers ran into a bad team that had started playing well in Houston and carried it back home. For hitting, the Rockies had two key left handed hitters, Brad Hawpe and Ian Stewart, effectively neutralized by strong left handed pitching. At the same time, the team's two best right handed bench players used to pick up the load against LHP's, Ryan Spilborghs and Garrett Atkins, combined to go 2 for 24 with three walks. We might debate the abilities of Spilly and Atkins, but given platoon advantages, this kind of showing falls well below what should normally be expected from them.

If the woes continue in Cincinnati against a bad team that's been playing poorly, then we might start to fidget a little bit. Right now, there's still little reason to suspect that any of the teams the Rockies are competing for a wild card spot against are actually better teams than the Rockies are. In the National League, only Philadelphia has made a real significant addition via trade. In short, August should prove at least as fruitful to the Rockies as July, a month, by the way, we could finish 15-11 in with a win over the Reds tomorrow.

So, Jason Hammel got whacked around in the top of the second and the Rockies were shut out 7-0 in the first game, Jorge De La Rosa used a big two run home run by Clint Barmes to support the 4-2 victory in the nightcap. The Rockies current record is:

55 - 47

Games Back: 7.5

Streak: Won 1

Games Left: 60

Game 101 WPA Graph:

via www.fangraphs.com

Game 101 Rowbot Roll Call: RockiesMagicNumber, Russ, frightenedinmate#2, Charlie77, Redhawk, TuLoRocks2008, moomacher, Poseidon's Fist, bballrox4717, coolopotamous, biondino, befizzle, WolfMarauder, jcd823, WalkInRight, Rox Girl, Jabberwocky, brian8065, nkrause, muzia02, Hollidayrain, mkorpal, dds_dave, GoRockies!!, kosmo, Mondogarage, haj_saitou, ShadowPenguin, Teekalong, RoxnSox09, FooMan, SDcat09, amoeba, 5280reasons, Squeaky, smokinRox, Rockie4Ever, TripleT-Rox, fantasyfencing, Mr. Rockie, RdRnnr, PinchHitLancePainter, holly96, Sandlotkid8, ETA, Jay Doubleyou, The Stache, theoldgrizzlybear, walkoff59, TehChamp

Game 102 WPA Graph:

via www.fangraphs.com

Game 102 Rowbot Roll Call: frightenedinmate#2, SDcat09, mkorpal, RockiesMagicNumber, Poseidon's Fist, DeepPurple, Redhawk, WalkInRight, roxintober, fantasyfencing, djmbluemoon, Mondogarage, Mr. Rockie, nkrause, holly96, FooMan, Hollidayrain, Chrysicat, jrockies, Rox Girl, ShadowPenguin, GoRockies!!, WolfMarauder, RdRnnr, GoldenNugget, walkoff59, Jabberwocky, Rocktober 2007, biondino, realmenwearpurple, rdf8585

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I saw

the Rockies win at [new] Shea. I feel like Kevin Garnett, anything is possible.

The Rockies need some oldschool purple/white striped high socks. The team’s problem is it’s lack of swagger. I feel strongly that these socks will provide the swagger necessary to tap the potential that are the Rockies.

by Resolution on Jul 30, 2009 9:33 PM MDT reply actions

lmao

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

by TuLoRocks2008 on Jul 30, 2009 10:31 PM MDT up reply actions

I went to the game, it was quite awesome

though I got queer looks when I went nuts on Barmes’s homer. I swear it was one of the happiest baseball moments of my life (I don’t get out to many games).

The Rockies needed this win, and got him from De la Rosa, Spilly, Tulo, Barmes, and great relief pitching.

Could possibly add pictures (I have a shot of Tracy arguing with the ump) of the game when my camera charges.

by bballrox4717 on Jul 30, 2009 9:35 PM MDT reply actions

I was joking with Russ

on how whenever the Rockies did anything good, you just heard like 7 people in the stadium cheer.

I think the dude in front of us was getting pissed at us despite us not doing anything irregular/obnoxious. It’s like dude, your crap team just took 3 out of 4, get over it…

by Resolution on Jul 30, 2009 9:39 PM MDT up reply actions

The Mets have to be mad at losing anything at this point, they're so far behind

I didn’t sit near rude people, in fact, they were quite respectful and open minded, but they couldn’t help to be confused when a LI teen is cheering for the Rockies, loudly when they scored. Frankly, I don’t blame them.

by bballrox4717 on Jul 30, 2009 9:42 PM MDT up reply actions

Not sure if anyone mentioned it in the GT already...

I was watching this week’s Rockies All Access, and during the clipshow of plays at the end, it had a new song. It was called “OK Colorado” It was kind of like 3Oh!3’s song except much better, and more detailed. Anyways, one of the lines to the song was “Stop! Hammel time.”

Just thought that was cool, and wondered if Purple Row had anything to do with it.

by Rockie4Ever on Jul 30, 2009 9:45 PM MDT reply actions

I had to stay away today

As I was feeling very Negative Nancy-ish this morning and didn’t want to post anything rash. Needless to say, Game 1 didn’t help my mood in the least. After Game 2 however, I’m feeling a little less negative, but hardly in the PP zone. (Oh, I peeked in from time to time today, but tried not to stay long.)

What’s to say except I’m relieved we didn’t get swept and are getting the heck out of NY. Come to think of it, maybe that “City that never sleeps” stuff is at the root of our woes in the BA. Yeah, prob’ly not. Let’s just move on to Rox Girl’s turf and see if she has the hoodoo to turn this little slump around. I’m betting yes.

Oh, and while I’m here…could everyone please remember that the song was written for and first recorded by Liza? Sinatra simply pirated her arrangements and got more radio time. Thank you. (See, I’ve still got a little of that NN thing going on.)

Free Seth Smith, damnit!

by rockhead on Jul 30, 2009 9:59 PM MDT reply actions

I don't think there's much to worry about

in a 162 game season there is bound to be some games that you lose that you shouldn’t have. The Mets were a bit hot, that’s all. The Reds are horrible right now, and I expect us to take at least 2 of the 3 games.

by GoldenNugget on Jul 30, 2009 10:02 PM MDT reply actions

On being negative...

Here’s the thing, I suspect most people would have actually been pretty happy with a series split, given our NY history. 3-1 series win was probably more than we could reasonably ask, particularly facing Santana in one game.

So 2-2 was a fairly reasonable expectation, and we only underperformed that by one game. While I haven’t looked at matchups yet, there’s probably no reason for us not to sweep the Reds (1-9 in last 10 games) other than randomness in one game. Either way, we can easily head into Philly either 4-3 or 3-4 on this trip, and while that’s not stellar, it doesn’t really affect our WC chances in any meaningful way.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Jul 30, 2009 10:05 PM MDT reply actions

A good perspective

You’re right, I would have been very content with a split, and looking at things in that light makes the 1-3 series more palatable.

BTW – been trying to keep up with your blog posts. Don’t know how you do it. You are one brave son-of-a-gun, and I salute you. Stay strong.

Free Seth Smith, damnit!

by rockhead on Jul 30, 2009 10:28 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks for your well wishes

I’ve been meaning to write a new blog post (seems all I can do is keep up with her and my Facebook pages sometimes). The last few days have been very good to us. She’s still in ICU, and will likely remain so for a week or two. But the doctors lifted her sedation today, and she’s nodding, shaking her head, and I’d swear she even tried to laugh once.

When she does leave ICU, it’s going to be for a pulmonary rehab hospital, where she’s going to be for at least a couple of months. But the worst definitely seems in the rear view mirror now.

And she doesn’t even know we’re only a game out of the WC yet!

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Jul 30, 2009 10:34 PM MDT up reply actions

That's great news!

Once you get a little farther into recovery, you’ll have a lot to fill her in on, I’m sure. A lot has happened, and not just Rockies-wise, either (though that’s certainly the most exciting!). The other day I was thinking how weird it would be to miss out on certain cultural knowledge things. Like, Michael Jackson dying, etc.

But all that is not nearly as important as her recovery. So I’m glad to hear that things seem to be looking up, even with the long road still ahead.

by holly96 on Jul 30, 2009 10:43 PM MDT up reply actions

+10000000

This is wonderful news. When I’ve talked to you you’ve seemed strong and it appears as though things are finally paying off. Keep going but don’t forget to rest yourself every-now-and-again because you don’t want to wear yourself out. I will keep both of you in my prayers.

JFK

"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

by jrockies on Jul 30, 2009 10:49 PM MDT up reply actions

That's such good news!

Stay strong, you’re getting there. It can only get better from here. I’m keeping both of you in my prayers.

by Rockie4Ever on Jul 30, 2009 11:01 PM MDT up reply actions

best wishes.

by Teekalong on Jul 30, 2009 11:17 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes, best wishes

What a frightening ordeal.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Jul 31, 2009 10:28 AM MDT up reply actions

That's great news!!

I saw this short film today and it made me think of you and your wife. Will the rehab hospital be in Denver?

Order a Purple Row t-shirt and donate to charity at:
Purple Row Cares

by Charlie77 on Jul 31, 2009 12:25 AM MDT up reply actions

Possibly, Charlie

There are essentially three pulmonary rehab units (either three in the region, or three that her insurance will cover, not sure which). Of these, two are in Denver, and the other in Johnstown (?) which I think is up around Centerra.

All three places will assess my wife, and she’ll end up going to whichever one is best for her appropriate situation (age, overall rehab needs, etc.). I’m a bit torn, because the two in Denver would be a lot more manageable for me to spend a lot of time with her, the one in Johnstown would be a lot more helpful to all the CSU colleagues who have been invaluable beacons and girders of support during all this.

Okay, that film’s pretty stunning, thanks for sharing it.

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Jul 31, 2009 8:09 AM MDT up reply actions

Just read the blog, Mondo.

It’s quite a read. Good luck to you both!

Also, I played poker last night for the first time in months. I’ve still got it (and TPTK still doesn’t beat an overpair, sigh) :)

by biondino on Jul 31, 2009 8:45 AM MDT up reply actions

TPTK...it never does, it never does

And flopped sets in Omaha never win. (sigh)

Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave

by Mondogarage on Jul 31, 2009 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions

Stay strong, big guy

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: FREE SETH SMITH
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jul 31, 2009 9:09 AM MDT up reply actions

sigh

Next.

"Don't tell me about the world. Not today. It's springtime and they're knocking baseballs around fields where the grass is damp and green in the morning and the kids are trying to hit the curve ball." -Pete Hamill

by Bryce on Jul 30, 2009 10:16 PM MDT reply actions

Worth noting:

Friedrich pitched tonight. 11 Ks in 6 IP, just one run. According to ITR, he’s got one more start at Modesto before going to Tulsa. It’ll be interesting to see if he handles the leap to AA as well as he handled the leap to A+.

by LawrenceDavis on Jul 30, 2009 10:54 PM MDT reply actions

Hopefully he's only there for a couple of games..

before he’s called up to be the next Jeff Francis.

Order a Purple Row t-shirt and donate to charity at:
Purple Row Cares

by Charlie77 on Jul 31, 2009 12:28 AM MDT up reply actions

In a good way, right?????

by noelman31 on Jul 31, 2009 3:35 AM MDT up reply actions

Gotta say

Of The Rose was special tonight. Reminding me again why I believe in this guy. And the hit was gravy.

Tip of the cap to Tulo. His hustle on the 1st to 2nd on a fly to right was a winner move. I’ve been tough on the kid, probably because I expect big things. And he’s delivering lately. He deserves a ton of props right now, great effort out there.

by Teekalong on Jul 30, 2009 11:19 PM MDT reply actions

yeah i was hard on him at the begining of the season to the point where my gf got angry with me

but i kept telling her its only because i know what hes capable of and i expect that. lately he has just been amazing

by purplesocks on Jul 31, 2009 9:27 AM MDT up reply actions

In the National League, only Philadelphia has made a real significant addition via trade.

So does this mean, you’re not impressed with the Giants acquisitions of Garko and Sanchez? Because quite frankly I’m a little nervous.

Order a Purple Row t-shirt and donate to charity at:
Purple Row Cares

by Charlie77 on Jul 31, 2009 12:27 AM MDT reply actions

She had mentioned in the comments she wasn't as impressed with those deals

They make the lineup formidable, but neither were significant upgrades. Both together project to add just under a shade of WAR, iirc. Not making a point with this, but Garko is 1-10 with a single and a walk so far, and Sanchez hasn’t played yet due to a knee issue

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jul 31, 2009 1:11 AM MDT up reply actions