Giants 7, Rockies 4; Jeff Francis roughed up in first spring start

by Rox Girl on Mar 5, 2010 4:11 PM MST in Rockies Game Wraps Comment 20 comments

On the day that Jeff Francis first signed with the Rockies, June 19, 2002, Juan Uribe hit a home run for the team off of Andy Pettite in one of the last not so great pre-humidor games, a 20-10 loss to the Yankees. Maybe Francis didn't remember that Uribe likes to feast on finesse left-handers, but it's a lesson he's probably not going to forget the next time the two face each other. Uribe's three run shot keyed a four run second inning for the Giants, who cruised to a victory from there.

Like I was saying before the game, don't worry about the results, it's reports on the process and progress of Francis that we will be looking for. The bad news on this front seems to be that his fastball velocity was down around the 86 mph mark according to Troy Renck. This would not be a pleasant sign if it continues deep into the Spring.

The best news for the Rockies likely to make the 25 man roster from the game probably came in the form of Carlos Gonzalez's two hits, including a double, as well as a double and walk by Chris Iannetta. Both Iannetta and Gonzalez hit their doubles off of Giants starter Mattt Cain.

For the Rockies minor league depth/prospects, Chaz Roe had an effective and scoreless two innings against mostly Giants regulars in relief of Francis, Jimmy Gobble and Justin Speier (who pitched for the Rockies in that June 19, 2002 game) threw scoreless innings late against the Giants reserves, and Jonathan Herrera and Hector Gomez were shining examples of the Rockies infield depth, Herrera with a pair of hits and Gomez with a two run triple.

Box score

I'll put the roll call up with the other game's wrap.

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First!

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by Charlie77 on Mar 5, 2010 4:28 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I'm disappointed we couldn't get to an overflow thread.

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by Charlie77 on Mar 5, 2010 4:29 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

i think

the two games going on at the same time was hard for folks….that and I had to work again…sigh..

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by Maria M on Mar 5, 2010 4:42 PM MST up reply actions

Too early to truly worry

but consider the warning flag raised. 86 mph is not going to get it done, unless we’re willing to settle for Francis putting up Fogg-style numbers. But undoubtedly his first time on the hill was not about flashing the best stuff he could muster. Still, ugh.

by Teekalong on Mar 5, 2010 4:47 PM MST reply actions

I think his approach was just fine for his first time facing batters from another team

work on form, location and repeating delivery. Who cares about the result today. it’s his FIRST day in a whole year. He will be fine after a few more starts and ready to eat some innings in April.

by BringItHome on Mar 5, 2010 4:50 PM MST up reply actions

No doubt

I’m not trying to be a chicken little here. But to me, Francis is THE story of ST (maybe the only story, considering how few roster/position battles we have…if any). As such, I’ll undoubtedly overreact to him a lot more. I just hate seeing that 86 number, even if it can be easily explained away.

by Teekalong on Mar 5, 2010 5:09 PM MST up reply actions

I agree

It’s a flag, something to look out for. I don’t think we’re going overboard in paying attention to warning indicators during the Spring, even if they turn out to be nothing.

by Rox Girl on Mar 5, 2010 5:14 PM MST up reply actions

We need to watch his mph..

86 isn’t bad for his first game, but he needs to be close to 90 when he builds up arm strength.

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by Charlie77 on Mar 5, 2010 5:29 PM MST up reply actions

86 in the first outing

for Francis is probably fine. What does he usually top out at during the regular season, 89? 90? At the most. It’s probably going to take some time for him to build up arm strengthm and he’s got 5 or 6 weeks to do it.

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by Hizilla on Mar 5, 2010 7:45 PM MST up reply actions

I have been advocateing for two years...

Francis’s velocity was dropping berfore the injury. He might not ever regain it. I have long thought that he should develope a knucle ball to show at Coors as an extra change up and use on the road when the velocity and command aren’t there.

It would save his arm while building strength and keep him competitive if the velocity does not comeback. Tim Wakefield topped out where Francis is now. He is starting his 23’rd MLB season I think and his twenty first as a knucler

by Oldfoagie on Mar 5, 2010 11:27 PM MST up reply actions

Francis as a knuckleballer?

for some reason I love this idea

Iron Maiden? Excellent!

by Muzia on Mar 6, 2010 3:29 AM MST up reply actions

Calling realmenwearpurple to explain the physics behind a knuckler at Coors

Seriously though, the Red Sox and Dodgers have specifically changed their rotation to avoid having Wakefield and Haeger pitch at Coors. I don’t remember whether that ever occured with Candiotti and the A’s

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

by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 6, 2010 8:42 AM MST up reply actions

Oh I know

but it combines my irrational love for knuckleballers with my irrational love for Jeff Francis.

Iron Maiden? Excellent!

by Muzia on Mar 6, 2010 9:26 AM MST up reply actions

My primary point

is that velocity was not his focus yesterday and with good reason. I wouldn’t be surprised if his true velocity is much higher at this point but since he was more focused on location and delivery he was probably only throwing at 90% power. If he is still throwing like this in three weeks then we can all panic.

by BringItHome on Mar 6, 2010 9:10 AM MST up reply actions

I agree with what you are saying...

Believe me when I say that he should do this because I want him to suceed. I am not advocating he should use the knucsy full time at Coors. My concern is that it may take longer than anyone wants to admit for him to find his command consistantly. As a Knuckler on the road, he’d still be able to eat innings when he can’t find his command of his fastball. Also consider that he was throwing at ninety% because he can’t locate at onehundred %. His hundred % is already fine enough. I don’t want to see him reinjure himself trying too hard, too fast.

by Oldfoagie on Mar 6, 2010 9:49 PM MST up reply actions