Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 2: Joe Saunders Stymies Rockies B Lineup
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 9:34 PM MDT
in Rockies Game Wraps
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PrintJoe Saunders came in with a pitching resume in 2011 begging for a DFA. In his only prior career start at Coors Field, he was chased in the third inning and tagged with seven runs. Yet tonight, he might as well have been Cliff Lee on the mound.
It didn't help that Seth Smith, Todd Helton, Chris Iannetta and Jonathan Herrera all found themselves on the bench for the nightcap of the double header. Jason Giambi and Ty Wigginton hit solo home runs to account for Colorado's offense, but they didn't otherwise threaten much.
Jhoulys Chacin was uneven, particularly in the sixth inning. After walking Ryan Roberts to lead off the inning, Chacin gave up three doubles to the left handed hitting Kelly Johnson, Stephen Drew and Miguel Montero, all of which were well struck. He gritted through seven otherwise decent innings, but it would not prove to be enough.
At the end of the day, the Rockies split the double header with Arizona and might actually make up a half game on San Francisco if their current 4-0 deficit to the Marlins holds. But it was a tough tough day for Rockies fans. Not only did they feebly fade into the night offensively, but (if you've missed it), Jorge de la Rosa is out for the season and will likely need Tommy John surgery. The luster of that series opening trouncing was gone before the nightcap even began.
Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel are on the bump tomorrow night.
Comment of the Night
Franchise26 - On twitter
"Feels like the Rockies lost two today. Wait, no it doesn't. Feels way worse than that."
WPA Heroes
WPA Zeroes
Jhoulys Chacin (-.190): 7.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 5 H, HR. 0-for-2, K.
Troy Tulowitzki (-.110): 0-for-4.
Jose Morales (-.100): 0-for-4, K.
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Rockies leaders in OBP, entering today:
1. Chris Iannetta
2. Jonathan Herrera
3. Todd Helton
4. Seth Smith
Anybody who can figure out what those four have in common wins… well, nothing, but at least it’s an easy mental trip from figuring it out to realizing why the Rockies looked like ass at the plate tonight.
"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
Hey matchupz
we all know Seth can’t hit lefties, its not worth even trying.
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
Patience?
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
huh?
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
oh you mean in tonight's game
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Check the boxscore in tonight’s game and tell me if you see any of those guys.
"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
Yeah I didn't follow that.
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Sitting two of the four cripples the offense (such as it is)
All four is debilitating
Showing extreme symptoms of Rocky Mountain Baseball Fever since 1993.
Yep. In fairness, yeah, you kinda have to sit Iannetta, and I understand why Helton’s not going to be playing both ends of a DH at this point, but there’s no excuse to take out the other two for Amezaga and Spilborghs. And then hit Amezaga leadoff!
And then… when you’ve got a chance to get back in the game in a pinch-hit situation… how does the answer to ’Who’s our best bet off the bench to keep this inning alive?’ end up being ‘Jose Lopez’?
"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
Lopez is hitting the ball better lately, but he’s not the right guy for that spot when you’ve got two clearly superior hitters in Smith and Helton – left-handed or not. It’s not like they’re facing Randy Freaking Johnson. Joe Saunders is a thumber. Rox should have sat all over his pus, and didn’t.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:00 PM MDT up reply actions
Exactly
Sometime you got to screw the matchups crap and hit your best hitter. I guess after over 2000 hits Helton can’t hit asoft tossing lefty in a tough spot.
The Fangraph is a long slow descent into ennui, despair and finally cold resignation
Showing extreme symptoms of Rocky Mountain Baseball Fever since 1993.
On the bright side
Brothers will likely be summoned which should give us a lockdown pen if we ever score runs.
I am not a big EY fan but if you are going to bat Fowler in the 2 hole, it would make sense to bring EY up and lead him off. I like Herrera in the 2 hole but he is not a leadoff hitter IMO. Keep giving Amezega AB’s and we can kiss the season goodbye.
I'm not so sure a Brothers callup is such a given
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 9:59 PM MDT up reply actions
I think
Reynolds still starts the Saturday game as he didn’t throw a ton of pitches. That would leave a spot in the pen open and Brothers should be the guy. Cook is not eligible to come off the DL. Bringing up a AAAA pitcher sends the same message to the team that recalling a AAAA infielder like Amazega does, that is we are really not serious here. At least if they bring up Brothers it would jolt the clubhouse in a positive way.
Right
but the problem is that they did recall Amazega, which shows that they really aren’t serious. I would expect to see another journeyman scrub like Mortenson recalled.
Mortensen
isn’t a journyman pitcher though. He was drafted in 2007 and now he’s 26 years old. His minor league stats aren’t great but he’s getting a chance because of the way he’s been pitching.
"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
This might cheer people up
Remember Merkin Valdez? Funny name…gave up the Spilly Slam? Well, the Sky Sox are brutalizing him right now.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:00 PM MDT reply actions
Holy ten run inning
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:04 PM MDT up reply actions
When
is Blackmon going to get the call. I know some love Smith here but I sure would love to have Mr. Late Night available to hit for any one of our mediocre infielders late in ball games.
I'm not sure you can sit Smith just so you can have him PH.
And not for a rookie.
Blackmon is a tricky situation. It’s too bad he’s not an infielder. That would make it much easier.
And too bad he's LH
Because we could easily move Spilly.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:30 PM MDT up reply actions
If that were to happen
I would rather see Dex sit than Smith.
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
And I'm not sure you can just sit Dex, either.
He has his weaknesses, but he’s not the main problem on this team. The org is in a really tough spot with Blackmon.
I think I'd keep him in AAA a while longer myself
You definitely don’t bench Smith – he’s been the most consistent hitter in the lineup by far – and I’m not sure throwing the rookie into the cavernous CF at Coors is great either.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions
Dexter Fowler disagrees
about playing CF, but again he’s Dexter Fowler and his speed/defensive range is probably a little better than Blackmon
"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
Yeah, that's part of my point
Blackmon is a CF in the way Spilly is a CF.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:31 PM MDT up reply actions
Sounds about right to me
"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
Blackmon might better serve the organization as a trade chip at this point
Not because of anything that said Blackmon can’t play…but rather because of the way our outfield roster is constituted. And if he has actual value, given where we may now stand with starting pitching….then by all means.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:34 PM MDT up reply actions
The issue here
is Smith and Dex are both coming up on arbitration and due for big raises. Whereas they have not been the problem this year, they have not been the solution either and I would be shocked if they are going to start giving guys big money who have not demonstrated that they are big money players. Blackmon will likely replace one or the other if they are traded prior to arbitration or non tendered.
Seth Smith has the second best OPS on the team. I’m not really sure why you keep pointing the finger at him.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:41 PM MDT up reply actions
I think
the board as a whole overrates Smith. He is a decent supporting player but I honestly think that is all he ever will be. He probably is performing close to his ceiling right now.
So we’re talking about a Rockies team that’s struggling to win while their two best players are scuffling… PRECISELY BECAUSE they don’t have enough decent supporting players… and you think the Rockies can stand to part with somebody who’s exactly that?
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:48 PM MDT up reply actions
I am just saying
That I do not think a drop off from Smith to Blackmon would be that dramatic.
At some point I would like to see what the kid can do and strengthen our bench at the same time.
I am not criticizing Smith at all, those who know me know I have saved my criticisms for Cook, Lopez, Stewart, and Paulino. I just do not think that heis so great that Blackmon could not come reasonably close to replacing his production.
If Blackmon is only going to come close to replacing his production
(which I don’t agree is as likely as you do), then what’s the point? That would just be a bad message to send.
I don't recommend
saving criticisms for certain players but placing them where they need to be at the appropriate times.
"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
You think Blackmon's as good as Jason Heyward?
Because to replace the production we’re getting from Seth Smith right now, Blackmon would have to come up here and be as good as Jason Heyward was as a rookie. Let’s not get a case of what I like to call “backup quarterback syndrome” now.
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
Smith has been the solution
or at least the closest to it we’ve got.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:42 PM MDT up reply actions
But is Smith
a $5-6 mil/year player? I honestly do not know what kind of raise he is in line for but they are not going to throw big money at him.
1st year arb will be far more like $2.2m than $5m
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:45 PM MDT up reply actions
Exactly. As does Dex.
That’s why I think Blackmon serves us better as a decent trade chip, because there just isn’t really a fit here for another LH OF until 2013.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:50 PM MDT up reply actions
and that is unfortunate
because Blackmon may have more upside than either Fowler or Smith. I do not think the organization can afford to just trade him without giving him an opportunity to show what he can do.
The team has had issues with keeping players a season too long rather than moving on. The potential to repeat that mistake (with Smith and Fowler) is certainly there if you do not give the kid a chance to play.
the operative word here is "may"
and this is one instance where I wish our AAA club were at sea level and not in the PCL. Because his numbers are clearly inflated…but by how much, who knows?
Does he have star potential, or AAAA potential? If the team’s going to move Smith or Fowler, they’re going to need to be confident in that answer first.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 11:03 PM MDT up reply actions
He looked good
This spring and if Renck is correct the Rangers wanted him in the Young package. He was a fairly high pick and has performed fairly well throughout the minors.
I am not saying that he is going to be the next big thing out there but at some point the team should inventory the prospects they have out there.
That's all well and good
But how many of Blackmon’s spring ABs came against actual MLB pitchers? There’s a big difference between facing someone battling to be the last guy in a team’s bullpen and facing Tim Lincecum, Clayton Kershaw, etc.
I remember last year when Buster Posey, a much better player and prospect than Blackmon, was fresh into the bigs. He saw one pitch from Ubaldo, and stepped out of the box and said “Wow.” Even Cargo was pretty terrible his first few months in the bigs, Blackmon won’t be any different.
The Colorado Rockies aren't a team, they're an armada.
1st year arb raises aren't prohibitive, really.
There is no chance that either of those two is non-tendered. I suppose there’s a chance that one could conceivably be traded, but it’s more likely that the club keeps both and lets Spilly walk.
And in that scenario, Blackmon doesn’t really help the club, because he makes us way too LH.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:45 PM MDT up reply actions
You would think
Spilly is gone after this season. Stranger things have happened and there may not be a market for him in free agency. Honestly he is a terrific 5th outfielder but unfortunately he is our 4th outfielder because of the way our bench is constructed and we aren’t carrying a true 5th outfielder.
IAWTC
But if the Rox want to save a bit of money as their big three start getting paid, and if the Rox want to move a RH OF up, then that’s the natural move to make.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions
Spilly still has a year of team control left after this season. FYI
The writer formerly known as Jabberwocky
READ and LEARN about the business of baseball at Purple Row Academy
Eschew Obfuscation!
There is a possibility here though
If Smith could be dealt to shore up other weaknesses and cut payroll, might Blackmon be a serviceable starter? Tough to know, obviously. Fowler was thrown in and told to sink or swim. But Smith and Stewart were really part time players at first
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:49 PM MDT up reply actions
Yes, this is certainly a possibility.
And yes, I think the club would be amenable to bringing up Blackmon in such a scenario (though he’d be the #4…Spilly would become the #3, at least initially).
That would depend entirely on the trade market for Seth, and given it’s only May, and OF isn’t usually a position teams are willing to purge their system for.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Thank You
Smith and Fowler both still have trade value. Fowler’s obviously is declining somewhat. If you know what Blackmon can do then it might actually allow you to have a PROVEN MLB chip.
We are not going to find the answer to our 3B woes without either giving up a top prospect (which is against the organizations values) or trading something to get something.
Further
the club made huge mistakes with Atkins and Hawpe by holding them a year too long and receiving no value for them. Smith’s value right now is as high as it is ever going to be. Would we better off with Blackmon in right and a real major league 3B or with Smith and the black hole? We will never know unless Blackmon gets some time soon.
At some point
You have to change the mix. I know Dex has a decent OBP and has hit pretty well with runners in scoring position but I would not be adverse to him sitting. Smith has demonstrated an ability to hit off the bench. I just don’t think his ceiling is that high as an everyday player. Sure he is a nice player but as I lead with smetimes you have to change the mix.
I don’t know what more evidence you need. If changing the mix is the solution, I’m pretty sure ‘benching one of your two .300 hitters because they are more useful in one late-inning at bat than they are in five over the course of the game’ (which is never, ever true) isn’t going to be positive change.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:19 PM MDT up reply actions
I know Smith is not the problem
But they are not winning as they are presently constructed. They are not going to bench Tulo for his abysmal hitting over the last 5 weeks so what do you do? They can not just continue to wait it out.
I don’t know, man. The A lineup had a monster game in the lidlifter. CarGo’s starting to look dangerous. Helton and Smith are both hitting over .300, Fowler and Herrera can still make a difference up top. I really don’t think anything radical is really needed.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:22 PM MDT up reply actions
Well, in the sense that this team hasn’t been putting up double-digits all that frequently, yeah. But I really don’t think they’re too far away from being able to score the 4-5-6 runs they need on a regular basis to win ballgames. The at-bats are getting better from certain guys. Tulo and CarGo are the keys. They need to get going. (This is a recording…)
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:26 PM MDT up reply actions
I hope you are right
Cargo has been looking better but still looks poor against lefties when compared to last season. Tulo still continues to have Barmes’s Pop Up disease.
I don't think it was necessarily an aberration
but I think this team is insanely inconsistent and just might be somewhere in between as their record indicates, they just might be the .500 team the record shows them to be almost 2 months in.
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
I don’t think there’s any question that they’ve earned their 24-23 record, but they’ve earned that with a lot of guys going through some uncharacteristic struggles. Losing DLR obviously makes it tougher on this team, but I still see this team as capable of more than an 83-win pace.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:31 PM MDT up reply actions
These struggles seem pretty characteristic of this team the last few seasons.
Big winning streaks followed by big slumps.
by CORockFaithful on May 24, 2011 10:38 PM MDT up reply actions
It would be nice to have one of those patented winning streaks
starting tomorrow.
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
Is there a reason Stew was pulled out of this game?
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
I wish I knew
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:12 PM MDT up reply actions
Maybe because he has struck out in 9 of his 17 ABs since his demotion
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:12 PM MDT up reply actions
I get that, but he has 2 AB's and then gets pulled in the middle of the game,
seems unusual.
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
Well, either he's injured, or back up he comes.
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Oh god
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:17 PM MDT up reply actions
I mean what other reason?
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Ohhhhh derp....I didn't think this was possible. but you make a good poin
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Ejected?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:20 PM MDT up reply actions
I would think the boxscore would reflect this
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Usually, yeah
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:21 PM MDT up reply actions
I sure hope so
because we obviously have tremendous options at the big league level.
"Whenever I see an old lady slip and fall on a wet sidewalk, my first instinct is to laugh. But then I think, what if I was an ant, and she fell on me. Then it wouldn't seem quite so funny."
Jack Handy quote
Stewart and Alan Johnson for Cliff Lee, obviously.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:23 PM MDT up reply actions
You’d have to add Hector Gomez AND another arm to get the Astros to even listen on Wandy, and even then, he’s owed DLR money through 2013 with a team option for 2014. I love me some Magic Wandy, but that ain’t happening.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:29 PM MDT up reply actions
I think they signed a new deal with him this winter.
If I had to bet on ‘lefty on non-contender who the Rockies will call on’, I’d put my money in the squares labeled ‘Bedard’, ‘Maholm’, and maybe ‘Francis’. But that’s about as best I can figure right now. They’re a ways away from needing to show any urgency about bringing someone in, anyhow.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:34 PM MDT up reply actions
Yes
pitching has not been the problem. I think if you have to start Mortensen and Reynolds long term they are going to throw out a few clunkers but they have been better than expected so far.
3 years/$34M deal with $13mil option signed January 25, 2011
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:40 PM MDT up reply actions
It's actually a bit more pricey than the Lilly and DLR deals
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:43 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh definitely
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions
pretty much this
Proud member of the Jonathan 'Scrappy Doo' Herrera Fan Club - Puppy Power!
Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some more groundballs. Its more democratic. - Crash Davis
by DAWNMARIE01 on May 24, 2011 10:06 PM MDT up reply actions
Sitting at my computer as it rains outside, PO'd at the world.
Have to bring my dog in yet and give him a bath because for some dumb #@! reason he thinks he needs to roll around in crap (literaly).
by CORockFaithful on May 24, 2011 10:08 PM MDT up reply actions
You've got me pegged
Now, I need to figure out what you’re doing in Lusk, Wyoming
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:06 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm psychologically projecting.
The mind’s a funny thing. I was at game 4 of the Philly playoff loss 2 yrs ago and despite telling myself over and over these millionaires would be just fine, I couldn’t totally shake the bummer for a couple days.
With me, it's more losing DLR
I really hope our rotation pulls through without him. :(
We are Fangirl. We are Legion.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."~ Winston Churchill
Would a little positive thinking hurt anyone?
Haters gonna hate. (with optional vuvuzela)
They could be related, too
I know hearing about the surgery killed my buzz from the first game; I wouldn’t be surprised if it affected the players, too.
Of course, taking out dudes while they were on a roll didn’t help, either. I thought Tracy liked to ride the hot hand?
We are Fangirl. We are Legion.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."~ Winston Churchill
Would a little positive thinking hurt anyone?
Haters gonna hate. (with optional vuvuzela)
True
I didn’t mean it to sound like this whole thing’s his fault; our offense should get it done no matter who’s batting.
We are Fangirl. We are Legion.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."~ Winston Churchill
Would a little positive thinking hurt anyone?
Haters gonna hate. (with optional vuvuzela)
This is almost right
Except no rain. I just went into the kitchen to get something to drink and turned on the light. But yeah. Pretty much
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Yep, that’s pretty much dead on.
"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
by Franchise26 on May 24, 2011 10:15 PM MDT up reply actions
This is Purple Row in a nutshell tonight
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
That's what the drive home from Coors felt like
Hell, that’s what the 9th inning felt like.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 10:32 PM MDT up reply actions
This
It’s Wednesday morning and I’m still sad Jorge’s been lost for the next year.
:(
- Attending Rockies game on 28 May vs St. Louis Cardinals
OT: In the keeping track of former Rockies
Hawpe has hit safely in 19 of his last 23 ABs and is playing some wicked good defense tonight against the Cards. Yeah, this does not make me feel better.
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
And he had a 2 run HR at Petco tonight too
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
no no no It was me listening to Dick Enberg it was a mistake
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
What?
Hawpe has hit safely in 19 of his last 23 ABs
He certainly has not. Do you mean reached base safely in 19 of 23 starts?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 24, 2011 10:14 PM MDT up reply actions
crap yes that is what I meant. That's what I get for listening to Dick Enberg
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
sorry for the mistake
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
lol thanks
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
and even with that "nice run"
he’s still got a .658 OPS and 89 OPS+. He isn’t a good player and the Rockies were absolutely correct to let him go, and should have traded him a year earlier when he still had some value.
Pebble note: After the Sky Sox scored eight runs in the top of the 9th at Round Rock on Sunday, the Sky Sox topped themselves tonight in Albuquerque.
The Sky Sox tallied ten runs in the top of the ninth inning tonight in Albuquerque to beat the Isotopes 15-6. Unreal late inning magic on this road trip. Too bad they can’t win back to back games at this point.
Who would have thunk
The other bright side today was Greg Reynolds. He is never going to replace DLR and I am skeptical about his long term prospects but he has been an absolute life saver when called upon. Maybe facing the putrid lineups that SD and SF have will allow him to have more vallue than anybody could have possibly imagined.
He was put into an awful situation today allowed the inherited guys to score but settled in real well.
Yep
If there have been any positiives this year, this is one of the brightest.
- Attending Rockies game on 28 May vs St. Louis Cardinals
Well, the Giants lost. So yeah
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Observations from the scorecard
1) The Rockies’ leadoff hitters went 0-9 tonight – Tulo lead off 4 times, Amezaga 3 times
2) In 7 of the nine innings, the first two batters were outs
Implications:
1) Solo home runs rarely win games (see game 1 game thread)
2) When you wait until there are two outs to start a rally you have no room for error and little chance for success
Situational hitting: the #1 problem of the 2011 Rockies
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on May 24, 2011 11:13 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Troy Tulowitzki is a career minor league scrub?
He lead off an inning 4 times, and reached base zero of those times.
I agree that Amezaga should not be leading off, but the problem is deeper than that.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on May 25, 2011 12:13 PM MDT up reply actions
Anyone see the story about the fan that fell from a stairwell at Coors?
I’m trying to figure out where that is.
Yeah saw it in the DP. Bad bad
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Wow just getting back from the game, this is terrible
I wanted to just write off the loss to the B line-up but doubt was already creeping in.
Then the Jorge news (I left for ballpark before it came out and never heard til now) is just friggin devastating, a crushing blow to the team.
Bright spot was the buddy who went to the game with me getting to go on the field for flyball challenge.
by AbsenteeRoxFAn on May 24, 2011 11:18 PM MDT reply actions
Would have been a bit brighter had he caught both ;-)
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 11:20 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd love to be picked for that and at least give a try at catching a ball behind my back.
You’d have to take the opportunity.
Come sit in section 112 or 113 on a Tuesday night
I’ve done the Qwest high speed trivia challenge (and won — thanks, PR!), and people from my row and the row in front of me have done the flyball challenge and the ground crew challenge. Tonight the Root crew were right next to us and I suspect we were on TV during Alanna’s piece in the 2nd inning and during Giambi’s solo home run celebration. The cameras seem to have an affinity for that area of the park.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on May 25, 2011 12:04 AM MDT up reply actions
lol yeah. I thought he'd do it too, he was a decent baseball player in high school.
it was still a lot of fun though
by AbsenteeRoxFAn on May 24, 2011 11:23 PM MDT up reply actions
Did people boo? The game I went to the guy couldn't catch them both
and people boo’d him. I thought really? WTF
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
not really, everyone kind of had a dissapointed awwww when first one slipped out of his glove
I didn’t hear any boos, a couple people hassled him when he got back to section but in a joking way.
by AbsenteeRoxFAn on May 24, 2011 11:25 PM MDT up reply actions
Nobody really ever boos someone who drops....but yeah, they laugh at em soemtimes.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 11:33 PM MDT up reply actions
The laughing I can understand. But booing. I was shocked
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
The real guffaws are saved for the dude who can't put 2b in the hole and cross the 1b line
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 11:57 PM MDT up reply actions
if you can't catch two easy fly balls
then you deserve to be booed. Sorry.
Listening to Padres post game report
and they are discussing trading any and all Padres. Harang, Hawpe, Denorfia, Bell you name it
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Well, y'know what?
Every season, every team in baseball is presented with obstacles.
The great ones hurdle those obstacles and use them as unifying events. The also-rans allow themselves to be defeated by them.
This is by and large the same team that overcame whatever was thrown in their way in 2009 to persevere. There’s no reason – no reason at all — why they cannot do it again — and why we shouldn’t hold them to an expectation that they will do it again.
So Rockies – Whaddya got?
I'm sitting here tonight trying to put into words how I feel about the day's events
Shock, anger, bewilderment, and sadness are a few emotions that come to mind, but for some reason they just don’t seem to cut it right now; because while I’m flooded with these overwhelming feelings, I have nowhere to direct them. There’s no scape goat here; just a cold hard frustrating reality – And it’s this fact, the one about the Rockies and JDLR not being able to do anything but accept this terrible fate that hurts the most tonight. The more I pray that I’m just having a nightmare, the more I’m reminded that this decision from the baseball Gods is final.
In addition, I just feel awful for JDLR. Over the last few years, we’ve watched him go from a mediocre pitcher with control problems to a nasty lefty that opponents fear facing – and along the way he’s shown loyalty to the team that helped make him the pitcher he is today by resigning with the Rockies this offseason. He was an easy guy to root for, a feel good story, a testament to our coaching staff, and in many ways, the glue of the 2011 Rockies rotation so far.
……And in one day, it’s all wiped out…………….
For JDLR….. the hard work he put in to become a borderline elite pitcher goes tragically unrewarded as he’s forced to start from scratch following a surgery that will keep him out for at least one trip around the sun.
For the Rockies….. their task of getting to the postseason just got a whole lot more difficult. Their fate now more than ever rides on their ability to execute as a team – something the 2007 squad did after losing both Aaron Cook and Jason Hirsh, and something the 2009 team did after losing Jeff Francis. The only way the 2011 team makes it to the promiseland now, is if they follow this familiar path paved by their recent ancestors.
Although baseball is full of teams suffering setbacks, it’s also full teams overcoming them. Starting right now, the 2011 Rockies need to be defined by the latter category.
by RhodeIslandRoxfan on May 24, 2011 11:26 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Well that sucks
Realistically, barring a miracle, the season has taken such a beating this month that it will probably not recover.
You don’t have three slumping superstars (honestly, Ubaldo, Cargo, and Tulo have to be the most disappointing trio in all of baseball this season), backup players and acquisitions that are not performing consistently, and a bullpen that has fallen to pieces after an awesome start and still make the playoffs.
I’m not going to argue to people about what stupid month it is, but facts are facts and the team is just not very good and it’s breaking my heart. I don’t even know who to blame. A lot of it is just bad luck and piling misfortune.
What this team needs is for everyone to step up. I know that’s movie cliche to the max… but thats what needs to happen for any chance of success this year. I hope it happens.
We were 19-31 in May 2009, and Francis was gone.
We’re above .500.
"We have done everything possible to be set for this day, for this season. It's time to go. We are ready. I can promise you that." - CarGo
by Mondogarage on May 24, 2011 11:58 PM MDT up reply actions
I wont argue that it was a bad month
actually, it was a horrible month.
But a baseball season is a marathon and a bad month does not wreck a season. This is why the early wins were so important. We’re still in this thing and a new month is right around the corner. The news on JDLR does make our season much more difficult, but it’s also an opportunity for someone to prove themselves as a major league starter. We had the best pitching depth in the division this season and it’s sure being put to the test.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on May 24, 2011 11:59 PM MDT up reply actions
Interesting.
For anyone that saw the articles about Brian Fuentes blasting Bob Gueren, Huston Street weighed in:
“For me personally, he was my least favorite person I have ever encountered in sports from age 6 to 27. I am very thankful to be in a place where I can trust my manager.”
Those are pretty strong words. I feel safe in saying Huston wouldn’t say something like that without reason.
Turning point
It seemed like this whole game turned around right after the Fowler out at the plate. I’m glad Tracy finally got ejected standing up for a player but I have no clue what he could have said that got him tossed in a few seconds. That sort of thing really should have fired up the team, but instead it seemed to have the opposite effect. Both the team and the crowd were pretty well out of it after that point.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
Why did Lopez PH?
Still confused about that.
by Skullduggerman on May 25, 2011 12:38 AM MDT reply actions
Wondered about that at the time
The only thought. I have on it is that he was a rightie and there were lefties (Helton, Smith), plus the “backup” catcher Iannetta, plus Herrera on the bench at the time. Why not Herrera? I have no idea.
The other thing I’d like to hear an explanation of is why was there a double switch right afterwards? The 9th spot had made the last out. Instead of just putting the pitcher back there, Runnels took his most productive hitter of the game (Giambi) out of the lineup and put the pitcher where he’d be up to bat the next inning if a couple of guys got on. I’m sure he had his reasons but I’d really love to know what they were.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on May 25, 2011 12:46 AM MDT up reply actions
Really?
That was my unspoken fear. Just what we need is another injury. Hopefully it’s not too bad.
"The game of baseball is made up of many little things. If we do all the little things right, then we'll never have a big thing to worry about" -- Cal Ripken, Sr.
Johnny Herrera Fan Club Member -- "Mr. Fundamental"
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3
by RoarFrom112 on May 25, 2011 12:56 AM MDT up reply actions
It was from when he was plunked. I think it will be okay
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say: It''s playoffs or bust"- Jason Hammel : Feared Slugger
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
Because Tracy is a terrible manager
yes, I know he wasn’t in the game, but he was still calling the shots.
I don’t understand Jim Tracy and his “platooning” system. This is baseball, not coal mining, crab fishing, or hand to hand combat. These guys should be able to play two games in a day. Herrera should be on the diamond as much as possible, as well as Smith. I like Jim Tracy, but I think he out thinks himself. although, it was good to see him show some mojo last night and get kicked out of the game.
Not to low baby, I might pass out! - Dean Martin
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