Rockies 6/5, Cubs/Athletics 4/2: Rox Squander Shutouts in Eighth, Still Sweep Split Squads
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 5:14 PM MDT
in Rockies Game Wraps
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It doesn't matter who the Rockies throw out there these days, they come home with a win. I sure hope I can type that next month.
Rockies 5, Athletics 2
In the home split squad game against the Athletics, Ubaldo Jimenez lowered his spring ERA to 3.26 with five shutout innings, allowing four singles, one walk and striking out three. Huston Street and Felipe Paulino tossed perfect innings, but Franklin Morales gave up the shutout in getting touched up for two runs in the eighth inning.
While Morales' outing wasn't a disaster (two of the three hits were bloopers), his has taken a troubling turn. He will be shielded for the most part from high leverage situations, but given that the former top organizational prospect is out of options, his status will be interesting to see this season.
Offensively, Alfredo Amezaga gave the Rockies 1-0 lead in the sixth to drive in Willy Taveras, who also doubled. That small lead doubled in the seventh on a wild pitch following a Tulowitzki single and small ball. In a tie game in the eighth, weak singles from Willy Taveras, Erik Wetzel and Matt Macri preceded a triple from Warren Schaeffer that gave Colorado the winning margin.
Rockies 6, Cubs 4
Again, a potential shutout was surrendered in the eighth inning, this time by Billy Buckner. After two walks and an infield hit, Tyler Colvin hit a one-out full-count grand slam off Buckner. Otherwise, the Rockies' hurlers were sharp. Clayton Mortensen tossed five shutout innings without a walk, Matt Daley worked around two hits for a scoreless frame, and Eric Stults notched a goose egg inning as well.
Jose Morales got the Rockies on the board first with a two run double in the second inning, then extended the Colorado lead to three with another RBI double in the fourth. The Rockies' backup catcher is now hitting (very quietly) .391 with a .517 on base percentage and .652 slugging percentage. Colorado's final three runs came on a Delta Cleary sac fly, Jonathan Herrera single and Scott Beerer groundout.
The Rockies are now 20-9 in the Cactus League. Tomorrow, they head westward to face the Mariners in Peoria at 2:05 MT.
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I don't see how Morales
Is going to be shielded from high-leverage situations unless Matt Reynolds gets back to form in a hurry, and then proves durable enough to throw almost every night. I have thought all spring that Beimel would be our most costly departure. Hope I’m wrong.
I have
no problems with almost any of our RHP facing lefties. Betancourt is the most scary because he has such a straight fastball but otherwise I don’t think it matters too much. Belisle, Street, Betancourt, Lindstrom should be able to get left-handed hitters out add in Reynolds and Morales should be fine to avoid the high-leverage situations unless he shows dramatic improvement (which, admittedly, is possible during the season).
"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK
I like our RH relievers too
But if they were that good against lefties, why did Beimel throw so much last year? If Reynolds had not come to the rescue, Beimel’s arm would have fallen off by August 1.
I like Reynolds, though, and I do think he will rebound. I just don’t want him to get worn down because he’s the only lefty Tracy can turn to in a tight game. I have my fingers crossed for Morales, but this is easily the Rockies biggest leap of faith as they exit Spring Training.
by Northsider1964 on Mar 27, 2011 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions
I think
he threw that much because it was a defined role for him, “Late-inning lefty,” and he was there to throw to left-handed batters. He was left in there to face righties because it gave the other people of the bullpen a break and Tracy wouldn’t have to walk as much. Otherwise I completely agree with your assessment, I think Reynolds will be fine and I hope Morales can spell him on occasion because I don’t want Reynolds wearing down like Beimel did.
"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK
Because Jim Tracy is a slave to the L/L philosophy...unless it's Ryan Howard vs. Huston Street in the most important game of the year.
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
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Oh, the repressed memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They burn my skull.
4 more days until the Rockies Home Opener!!!!!!! I can almost taste it now.
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Mar 28, 2011 9:16 AM MDT up reply actions
Well he's still the manager
Which is why I think a 3rd lefty in the pen, or at least two who are reliable, are so essential for this team. Otherwise, one guy’s going to get used up, and this year that looks like Reynolds.
by Northsider1964 on Mar 28, 2011 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions
you're right, Reynolds is the key
I’m still optimistic that Reynolds can be a good lefty reliever this season, so I’m operating under that presumption. Morales role definitely changes if Reynolds’ spring isn’t just spring rustiness
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 5:31 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
over/under on Rex Brothers' first appearance in a Rockies major league game?
Line set at 12:00am May 1st
Campaigning for more day baseball games since 2006
over, if over means further dowc the calendar
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 5:42 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Way way over
If Morales or Reynolds struggles, Stults will be first up. Either that or we’ll make a trade (which increasingly seems likely given our abundance of ML ready, pretty-good-but-not-quite-star guys stuck between AAA and ML.
I’m not remotely sold on Brothers yet, and I don’t think the club is either. Great stuff, obviously, but throws a ton of fastballs and I think he takes a while to learn how to pitch on the ML level.
by BostonTransplant on Mar 27, 2011 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions
Absolutely could not disagree more
If Morales/Reynolds struggle, they will be replaced through the minors, not a trade.
I don’t get the affinity for Stults. His career MLB ERA is over 5. It was over 5 in Japan. Guess what – it’s over 5 this spring (5.14). He has struck out 11 in 14 innings, while Brothers has K’d 11 in just 8 innings. Renck has speculated that Stults could figure in, but we haven’t seen glowing quotes from coaches; we have with Brothers.
Brothers was pegged as a quick riser with late inning potential on draft day, and that’s how they are treating him. He had control issues in the minors (has not this spring), and the club wants to see Reynolds/Morales play out while they guarantee Brothers has his control fine-tuned.
The fastball repertoire is a silly indictment. He’s a reliever, and many relievers survive predominantly on just two pitches (see Betancourt). He throws mid-90’s, and his slider is even better.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 6:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Once Brothers' service time is not an issue
I think we’ll see him within weeks rather than months ASSUMING Morales doesn’t somehow put it together.
I'm not really sure service time is an issue with Brothers at all
It’s doubtful it will end up facilitating a big contract in the next few years.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 28, 2011 7:18 AM MDT up reply actions
Plus, Stults may not even stay with the organization if he'd rather exercise his out clause to play for the Golden Eagles.
RockiesRoster.com - Your best source for organizational contract and transactions information.
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
~WolfMarauder
by Greg Stanwood on Mar 27, 2011 7:10 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd be all for this
4 more days until the Rockies Home Opener!!!!!!! I can almost taste it now.
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Mar 28, 2011 9:18 AM MDT up reply actions
I'm wondering what the over/under is on fingernails lost while Franklin pitches.
"Are they called the Rockies because they rock?" - 7 y.o.
by glaucophane on Mar 27, 2011 6:32 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
12 per person
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 6:35 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I'll take the over
We're trying to win a (#)(*@$%#)@#&$#)^ argument here!!!!
Whatever the manager does is wrong, unless it works. Then he's a button pusher.
In line for seats at the Grand Junction Rockies 2012 home opener
"I made baseball as much fun as doing your taxes" - Bill James (Simpsons version)
"Everyone study two out situations, count management, and I'll be back with some gluten free crackers"
by Junction Rox on Mar 27, 2011 6:42 PM MDT up reply actions
I left to get ice cream while he was pitching..
It was like watching a horror movie when you already know something bad is about to happen and you can’t bear to watch.
by Charlie77 on Mar 27, 2011 6:58 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
That's the solution! I need to start making popcorn for that part of the movie.
"Are they called the Rockies because they rock?" - 7 y.o.
probably pretty similar to locks of hair pulled out
you still have to play the game, no matter how shiny liriano's FIP is
the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox
Morales with a sexy stat line.
However, I still like Pagnozzi for his defense. But Morales bat, plus the fact that he’s out of options, is enough to land him that backup catcher spot.
Also, did anybody see how Morales caught? I was coming back to LA… How did he look back there?
We haven't seen anything to the negative about Morales' defense
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2011 7:07 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
He made a nice throw friday night to gun down a runner IIRC..
Mckenry looked really good on Friday’s AAA game against the Cubs. Went 2 for 3 with a HR and moved from first to third on two balls in the dirt. Defensively the Dude throws seeds to second, right on the money.
by Charlie77 on Mar 27, 2011 7:33 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I think it's Morales for now
as Pagnozzi isn’t on the 40 (but we all knew that). I can say that Pagnozzi loves the organization and how it is being run, even if we haven’t heard this from any writer this spring. The players in the clubhouse welcomed him and worked with him a lot, especially Chris Iannetta. He likes the fact that any one of the veterans, or young kids for that matter (Cargo…), are approachable and are willing to work and talk to him about his game. The team has multiple, read 5-6, leaders as opposed to the 1-3 in his previous organization and those guys weren’t always the best people just the best players.
As for his defense, it’s great. I haven’t heard anything about Morales defense so we will have to see when he actually gets in there during a game this year.
"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK
The Twitter buzz suggests many of the minor leaguers were given their permanent camp assignments today.
That info may not be made official for some time, though.
RockiesRoster.com - Your best source for organizational contract and transactions information.
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
~WolfMarauder
I'm pretty confident this is the case
Craig Baker texted me (sort of) that Tulsa’s rotation is going to be stacked this season. So I assume he was able to see the roster or heard through the other players.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 7:40 PM MDT up reply actions
He also implied via Twitter that he'd be beginning the season in Extended Spring Training for at least a bit of time.
RockiesRoster.com - Your best source for organizational contract and transactions information.
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
~WolfMarauder
by Greg Stanwood on Mar 27, 2011 8:31 PM MDT up reply actions
You and C_Bake seem to be good friends lately..
Will you two be appearing on Amazing Race anytime soon.
by Charlie77 on Mar 27, 2011 9:25 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Is that show still running?
I’ll ask him. Maybe we can get one going.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 28, 2011 7:19 AM MDT up reply actions
Man, I hate split squad games. Especially this late in spring. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that those guys are getting a chance to play against big leaguers, but I want to watch the regulars.
Of course, I couldn’t watch today, so I guess that’s all moot. But I’m serious.
How about those grades? Well, there's an A in alcohol, a B in beer. C is for Miss Carter, who we love so dear. D is for drunk, and there ain't no E, so F's for Forever Clear.
I know the feeling
I know the minors very well, but there was a guy that came up today that I had never heard of. Fortunately for my pride, Michael Daniel is new to the organization.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2011 8:34 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah, his signing was never really reported, I only added him to Rockies Roster a few weeks ago when he was officially assigned to Tulsa.
RockiesRoster.com - Your best source for organizational contract and transactions information.
"The highest form of human excellence is to question oneself and others." - Socrates
~WolfMarauder
by Greg Stanwood on Mar 27, 2011 8:35 PM MDT up reply actions
It was hard to know who was who down here..
Especially without having the minor leaguer’s numbers or faces memorized.
by Charlie77 on Mar 27, 2011 9:28 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Exactly
Which is why it was almost embarrassing to have a player recognize himself in a picture I tweeted. I recognized Parker and Brandon Durden and that was about it.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 28, 2011 7:20 AM MDT up reply actions
Don't complain too much.
Two Rockies games on TV today.
I could flip between those and have the basketball set up on my P-in-P (it’s off the antenna). Best. Sunday. Ever.
"If you can't do something smart, do something right."
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