Mike Pelfrey makes Rockies look pathetic, leads Mets to 5-0 shutout
by Rox Girl on Apr 15, 2010 4:09 PM MDT
in Rockies Game Wraps
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PrintIt didn't help that Jorge de la Rosa was inconsistent on the mound, to put it mildly, and that the Rockies defense continued a 2010 theme of humiliating themselves in public. It also didn't help that the Rockies lineup today featured four or five players that aren't the regular starters at their position, but once you get past that, a lot of credit should be given to a standout pitching performance by the Rockies opponent this afternoon, as Mike Pelfrey went seven innings, giving up just five singles and no walks, while striking out six.
De La Rosa's day got off to a rough start early, as he allowed a single up the middle to Luis Castillo with one out in the top of the first, walked David Wright, and then saw Castillo score on another single up the middle from Jason Bay. The rest of his afternoon seemed a constant struggle to keep Mets off the basepaths and from coming around once they got on, as he finished allowing five runs to score, four earned, allowing eight hits and walking five in six innings of work.
Defense was an issue, as a botched rundown and error on third baseman Ian Stewart led directly to one run scoring, and a wild pitch that could possibly have been blocked by catcher Miguel Olivo led to another.
In short, this game in retrospect seems like a very difficult beast to win, but let's hope that the Rockies can take away some lessons from the problems on display in the loss. Defense is the huge elephant that needs addressed very shortly. For the hitters, their approach in fat pitch counts (2-0, 3-1) seems overly aggressive, and I think opposing batteries are taking advantage of that knowledge.
Troy Tulowitzki had a pair of infield hits, that's about as high as the highlights got (Brad Hawpe was actually the day's offensive WPA leader for his eighth inning pinch walk, Esmil Rogers led the way overall).
The other stuff after the jump.
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The elephant is growing quickly.
Defense is the huge elephant that needs addressed very shortly.
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
Clifford?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2010 4:18 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Truly a dismal game today...
worst I’ve attended in several seasons. Woeful defense reminded me of the Mets’ performance Tuesday night….brutal. The few well-hit balls went directly to Mets outfielders.
I yield to no one in my respect for Jackie Robinson, whom I regard as the greatest and most significant athlete of the last century. But having every player wear #42 today is simply a stale gimmick. It serves no worthwhile purpose and is irrelevant to the point of being trite.
Really (re Jackie?)?
I think its very cool and a fitting tribute. It certainly doesn’t come across as gimmicky to me, which I associate with an effort to sell merchandise or something. To each their own, but I quite like it.
I understand why some people have issues
but to me it help to elevate him above others for his unique circumstances. Blame The Kid for bringing it back.
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
I don't understand why people have issues, unless they're racist
Sorry if that sounds blunt, but by all means explain to me what I’m missing here.
You can honor the guy without confusing things by having everyone wear the same number.
They announced that it was Jackie Robinson Day, gave the history and a nice tribute to him. No need for everyone to wear his number.
I agree with this. And every park in MLB has his number on the wall.
If they want to further honor the number (which I’m not sure is necessary), they could either wear a small 42 on the sleeve or pick one person on each team to wear the number. Having everyone, including umpires, wearing the number is overkill IMO.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
Nothing to do with racism
Some think wearing the number undercuts the effect of retiring of the number.
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
by phishbate on Apr 15, 2010 5:39 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
When does it end?
Will they be wearing 42 on JR Day one hundred years from now? Future commissioners will have a hard time stopping this practice. And why does only one of the 17,000 MLB players get this honor? I don’t think they thought this one through.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~ Al Gallagher
Why does the practice need to be stopped?
You are aware of the unique circumstances under which Jackie Robinson joined and played under, correct? It helps that he had pretty incredible skill on top of being an incredible person.
"Because I am a Rockie." - Todd
would that be a problem somehow?
And I’m not sure exactly why you are asking the second question, as the answer is remarkably self-evident.
A few thoughts
1. While I don’t believe the bizarre lineup cost us this one, as the pitching/defense were not up to winning standards, we are now 1-2 when we run the B team out there (or, in this case, the C team minus CarGo/Hawpe). Too early to determine a trend, but the calls from the Tracy-critiquing crowd to stop with this getaway day lineup stuff are starting to seem more reasonable to me.
2. Defense, defense, defense. These are both physical and mental errors, and coming from some of our best defenders. Unacceptable and must stop. We got off the hook from last night’s poor defense, but were harmed today.
3. TOO MANY STRIKEOUTS. This is Coors Field, it need not be said that putting the ball in play is a good thing.
4. Giambi. Too early to really call it a problem, but maybe sit him on the bench until the man has accumulated at least one hit as a PH? I dunno, but starting to be concerned.
Time to amp up for the road, looking at the pitching matchups, it seems to me that 3-3 is the minimum acceptable record for this trip, and arguably 4-2 considering its Wash.
I would sign for 4-2 right now
"If you mess with us, we are going to answer back." - Troy Tulowitzki
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 15, 2010 4:28 PM MDT up reply actions
This.
This lineup stuff has to stop now. Make sure you are putting out the best lineup possible, give the guys days off if needed, but don’t keep putting Mora over Barmes out there thinking he has a decent glove.
If Barmes is playing 2nd that would have been a double play.
Ubaldomania.
by The Lodo Magic Man on Apr 15, 2010 5:16 PM MDT up reply actions
To your point:
For the hitters, their approach in fat pitch counts (2-0, 3-1) seems overly aggressive, and I think opposing batteries are taking advantage of that knowledge
This smacks of players pressing as they did under Hurdle with the constant lineup changes. Do the players know their jobs are secure or do they all think any day I’m on the bench?
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
Todd Helton - Time for his ring to come true
PLAY BALL!!!
I know Tracy has made various lineup changes.
But I haven’t really seen evidence that any of the changes have been knee-jerk reactions based on performance, like some of them seem to have been under Hurdle. He seems to have a plan that he’s sticking to, whether it’s wanting to make sure to get Helton enough rest throughout the season, or getting the bench ABs, etc. We may not agree with his plan in every instance, but I don’t think it’s been performance based, at least not on a day-to-day basis.
I guess that's what I'm trying to understand and wonder if the players understand this.
Or do they see the lineup daily and think huh, why am I not in it? Or does Tracy explain this is what he’s doing? Of course, I realize they don’t have much to say one way or the other, but makes me wonder..
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
Todd Helton - Time for his ring to come true
PLAY BALL!!!
I've gotten the sense that he's big on communication.
I think he’s probably big on making sure players understand his decision, and when he can explains things well in advance.
I know he’s said he did specifically this for the catchers, at least, so I would assume he would do the same for everyone else.
IAWTC
Tracy said early on that he was going to rest guys and keep them fresh.
Helton had flu like symptoms today per Tracy in the post game presser. He has been up front about the catching. The injuries in the OF are testing our depth so nothing he could have done about that. The only other change today is Mora in for Barmes. I think there’s a bit of over reaction after 9 games. But thats just my opinion.
Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. ~Toby Harrah, 1983
Yeah
While I’m not entirely on board with the plan here, it seems pretty obvious what he’s doing and I’d be completely shocked if the players don’t know exactly what’s happening and what to expect. And if they don’t like it, well, then they can play like Stew (prior to today, anyway) and force Tracy to run him out every day.
Really, to me, Barmes is the only one with a gripe about PT at the moment (at least, relative to pre-season expectations) and he’s played 6 of 9 games and hasn’t set the world on fire. CDI has no complaint because Olivo has been better (so far), and Helton seems to be the one making the calls on whether or not he’s out there any given day.
Tracy apparntly was going to use Helton today
But because he was sick he used Giambi
by Colsportsfan on Apr 15, 2010 7:07 PM MDT up reply actions
I agree with others that defense and inferior lineups put out by Tracy are becoming big issues with this team
but I think it’s important today to separate them as long term issues and not mix them in with the frustration of today’s game. When you combine the way Pelfrey pitched today with the rough start by JDLR, the lineup and are not going to make much of a difference. Every team has a few dozen games each season that they are not going to win no matter what the everyday players do because the pitching matchup was such a one sided affair. I believe that today was one of those games for the Rockies.
On this home stand we went 4-2 and won both series. Even though these series wins came against teams not expected to compete, I still view them as a positive. If the Rockies can win series playing shoddy defense, starting the half the backups in the final game of each series, and having to deal with AprilTulo batting cleanup, we are going to do just fine once we hit our stride.
"If you mess with us, we are going to answer back." - Troy Tulowitzki
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 15, 2010 4:43 PM MDT reply actions
and are is
"If you mess with us, we are going to answer back." - Troy Tulowitzki
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 15, 2010 4:45 PM MDT up reply actions
Well, a halfstro day for me
The Rox made me sad but my Twinkies stuffed the sawx.
onwards to Atlanta…
Tornadough! Tornadough! Tornadough!
When the sawx get shut out the day is never a total loss
"If you mess with us, we are going to answer back." - Troy Tulowitzki
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Apr 15, 2010 5:40 PM MDT up reply actions
I went to the game with my 3 y/o.
She was more interested in the playground and after a while I saw no point in watching the game either.
How is the playground?
Can you still see most of the field from it? Is it usually too packed? I’m thinking of taking my wife and 2-year-old to a game this summer.
The playground is nice.
When my kids were smaller we usually spent the middle 2-3 innings there. It’s too crowded at the fireworks games, but otherwise it’s not too bad. They also close it if they’ve gotten rain, so be aware.
Very limited view of the field, but if you stand on the side next to the concession stand, they have a monitor/tv for watching the game.
Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
went to the game with a coworker
beautiful day, great seats in section 221, surrounded by a lively mix of rockies and mets fans and that was great. BUT i realized that what tracy is doing with the lineup, giambi and mora in a day game following the previous night game, conflicts with my favorite coors field scenario which is attending day games. bummer. saw those boys on the field, watched jdlr struggle in the first inning, witnessed the defensive errors, and prayed that their bats would overcome it all. not to be. but, yeah, it was still fun at the park!
ColoRocks
The worst day at the ballpark...
still beats a good day at the office!
Ignorance of the American League is a sign of good moral character.
Look out Dodgers...Purple objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
i like to think of it like I play darts...
Two of three is all I ever want. We continue at this pace means 108 wins this year. I know that isn’t likely, but I call it an off day and that we are still shaking spring rust.
Cheers to a winning homestand depite not playing our best. I’ll take it
With great mustache comes great responsibility
by Rox R Champs on Apr 15, 2010 5:35 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Rockies offense this series:
1st 2 games: 11 BB, 3 HR, 2 wins
Today: 2 BB, 0 HR, loss
Sabermetrics!
by controlled_slide on Apr 15, 2010 6:12 PM MDT reply actions
good stuff from Ringolsby
>CarGo looked good today and will travel with the team to Atlanta
>Beimel called up
>Street threw forty pitches today – pain free
>Todd Helton had flu-like symptoms today. Celebrating the walk off win too hard?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2010 6:14 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Thats good the hear...
and of the course the usual Francis “feels good” after a throwing session. Even though we know that doesn’t mean a dam thing
by Colsportsfan on Apr 15, 2010 7:08 PM MDT up reply actions
More specifics:
Joe Beimel purchased, Esmil Rogers optioned. I believe Buchholz will be moved to the 60 Day DL to make room for Beimel.
by Greg Stanwood on Apr 15, 2010 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions
In a 162 game season, you’re bound to look like a Little League team every now and again. Wear it, and go beat Atlanta. That’s all I can take away from that seal-clubbing of a baseball game.
"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around the whole time." - Jim Bouton
Also, is it just me, or does Mike Pelfrey pretty much own us? I can remember him pitching shutout baseball against us once before. I know we roughed him up last year one time but I think before that he’d had an inordinate amount of success against us.
"You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around the whole time." - Jim Bouton
Bench strength/depth
That’s supposed to be the 2010 Rockies’ long suit
So far that hasn’t been seen from Giambi, Mora and Smith, when pressed into a starter’s role.
I’m wondering about Giambi. I was highly skeptical of his late-season acquisition in 09, not just the steroids past, but his horrible numbers in the 09 season w/ Oakland. I was proven wrong — at least as a Sept./playoff addition. But over a full season, what does he add? Certainly not defense. A left-handed power bat when Helton rests should be his main value. But if he hits like he did in Oakland last year, he brings little but “veteran leadership” and thong jokes. This team’s got veteran leadership (Helton & Tulo at this point). That doesn’t have to be found on the free agent market.
As for Mora, I’m wondering if there aren’t better options within the organization.
For both those players, are they farther down the decline curve than we thought? The Steroids Era made many people forget that most players, for many years, have declined notably beginning in their mid-30s. That may be what’s happening with Giambi and Mora. They have gone too far down. Give ’em about 1/3 of the season & make that call.
New decade, new result: time for a Rockies' division championship.
this is certainly a possibility
But it will still take four to six more weeks to make that call for sure
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2010 6:36 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
if even then, since they're bench players
I really don’t know if even a full season’s worth would tell us. At the moment, I’m inclined to think both are just somewhat slumping and will rebound to close to what they’ve done over the last three seasons or so.
since when are giambi and mora "bench players"? :)
To clarify, I know two months of bench bats isn’t enough to truly make the call that a player is washed up. But two months is a good yard stick for where an organization can look elsewhere and all parties understand. The club did so with Finley and Mabry in the same season, and there was less on the line that season than this season
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2010 6:47 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Spilborghs was also a more sure thing as a replacement than anything we have right now
EY2 would be the closest, but since he’s slumping himself, it’s not like that’s an easy call either. Plus, and I know you’re not saying this is the case, but I just want to make sure it’s pointed out, just because those two decisions based on a small sample proved correct, doesn’t necessarily make it a wise course of action to follow all the time.
Last season we did something similar with Podsednik, but unlike the other two, he went out and rebounded well in his new digs. We aren’t exactly hurting with our replacements for him, but my point is that sometimes a bad start really is just a temporary slump. Too often fans seem to be like Monty Python characters pushing the dead cart around and a little too eager to declare players’ productive part of their careers kaput.
certainly
I think my response to you, in a way, stayed that two months wasn’t enough time to actually make a completely educated decision, but that it is a historically acceptable time period to pursue other options
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Apr 15, 2010 8:48 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Giambi will rebound eventually....
Mora to me is just another Atkins where his numbers keep declining. Its to early to really tell if they are a bust this year. We’ll just have to see where they are in a couple of months to make any valid statements.
by Colsportsfan on Apr 15, 2010 7:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Taking a longer view
You are going to win 50 and lose 50 it’s what you do with the other 62. Every team gets pounded once in a while. Tracy is not pulling a Hurdle he simply wants guys fresh in August/September.
Olivo had a reputation for allowing a lot of passed balls in KC
I really don’t get why you would sit CDI when it seems like he is heating up
Belief that success is inevitable is as likely to hold you back as a belief that it is impossible.
It's not like Olivo's been cold with the bat thus far
I actually don’t really fault Tracy for any of his lineup decisions yesterday save for scratching Barmes, and I really don’t think anything he could have done would have made a difference with the way Pelfrey was pitching. Barmes certainly wasn’t going to save us, I doubt CDI or Helton (even had he been healthy) would have been enough. It just wasn’t our day yesterday, so in retrospect, if resting guys then saves them for when we really need them later, I’m all for it.
JDLR
I could only follow on GameDay, but it looked like he got guys in 2 strike trouble with the fastball, and then could not locate the changeup to finish them off. I hope he will mature so that when the changeup is not there, he has the confidence to go back to other pitches with two strikes.
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~ Al Gallagher
I missed a few innings
but he was all over the place in those I watched. Missing every which way, just no command at all.
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