Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 3: Missed Opportunites Leave Rox Snakebitten
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 3, 2011 11:19 PM MDT
in Rockies Game Wraps
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The Rockies lost by one run tonight in a nine-inning baseball game. That might not seem noteworthy, but here on May 3, it is the first such loss for Colorado in the 2011 season.
Jorge de la Rosa was off his game, but he still ground through to a quality start, permitting three runs on seven hits in six innings. Of his six strikeouts, four came as the third out of an inning, helping to strand runners.
The offense showed some life, as the bats produced at least one hit in all nine innings. Unfortunately, they were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine men. Carlos Gonzalez continued his resurgence with a two walks, a bunt single and a 453-foot solo home run. A Ryan Spillborghs sac fly and Jonathan Herrera triple accounted for the other two runs.
I am not one to be critical of managers as it is way overdone, but I am not sure Jim Tracy can be proud of this one. Chief among his errors was his bullpen choice in the eighth inning of a tie game with the middle of the Diamondbacks' order coming up. He didn't choose the dominant Matt Reynolds, the bullpen horse Matt Belisle, or the 8th inning man Rafael Betancourt. They were all rested. Instead, he chose the erratic Felipe Paulino. He missed with three sliders before Justin Upton punished a home run to right field on a 3-0 pitch for the winning margin. To Paulino's credit, he deconstructed the next three batters in impressive order.
Todd Helton had himself a solid game, with a single in the first inning and CarGo trademark laser to right field in the eighth, a foot shy of leaving the park. Troy Tulowitzki hit two flyballs to the warning track, and Seth Smith just missed an opposite field home run in a pinch-hit appearance.
WPA Heroes
Carlos Gonzalez (+.242): 2-for-2, HR, RBI, R, 2 BB.
Jonathan Herrera (+.165): 2-for-4, 3B, RBI, K.
Matt Lindstrom (+.092): 1.0 IP, BB, K.
WPA Zeroes
Jose Lopez (-.285): 0-for-4.
Troy Tulowitzki (-.155): 0-for-4, K.
Jason Giambi (-.097): 0-for-1, PH K in 9th.
Row Call
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Sorry I posted this rant elsewhere but I'll copy it here
Jim Tracy needs to wear this loss to bed because he sat on his hands in the 8th inning – with two on and one out – and let Jose Groundout hit for himself when he hasn’t been on base in a month. Smith and Giambi available with a RH reliever on the mound, and he sends up Jose Groundout to kill the rally!
So then he ends up with a 4th string reliever of his own out there to face Justin Upton, and guess what happens? Paulino does what 4th string relievers do, and surrenders a home run. If you had scored in the 8th, you have a well-rested Raphael Betancourt out there, who is as good in the 8th inning as anyone alive.
Just to make matters worse, Tracy "saved" Smith hit in the 9th with nobody on base and then pulls Herrera out so Giambi can finally pinch hit. Of course Herrera has a triple, single and a walk on the night, but he grabs the pine so Giambi can take a giant hack and try to win the game. But in the 8th we didn’t need a giant hack, just a base hit.
Of course someone may point out that Stewart has been used, and so you would have needed a 3B to play the 8th and 9th. Well, isn’t that why we have "versatile" fringe major-leaguer Alfredo Amezega taking up a roster spot?
Horrible decision, resulting in a well-deserved loss. I seldom criticize Tracy, but he has to stop coddling struggling players and play to win when the chips are down.
by Northsider1964 on May 3, 2011 11:22 PM MDT reply actions 4 recs
I have never criticized a manager in a game wrap
The community needs no help in reaching that conclusion. But it couldn’t ignored tonight
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 3, 2011 11:24 PM MDT up reply actions
Your criticism of his bullpen choice was spot on
But the underlying reason for it was the failure to punch across a run in the 8th. Who knows? Maybe the Dbacks get to Betancourt or Street too – they are human. But I would sure rather take my chances with them on the mound than the end-of- the-bench bullpen guy. Play to win in the 8th for God’s sake!
by Northsider1964 on May 3, 2011 11:32 PM MDT up reply actions
My thought on the bullpen:
You’re going to pitch your worst* pitcher against the middle of the order in the eighth inning of a tie ballgame? Really?
*I don’t necessarily think Paulino is the Rockies’ worst pitcher, but he’s clearly low on the totem pole.
Rocktober is not a time of year, it is a religion.
I think Paulino is a decent pitcher
But he is def one of the worst among our overall outstanding bullpen. Terrible call.
Enough said!
Agree with all of the above.
by Real Perspective on May 4, 2011 10:39 AM MDT up reply actions
Agreed
I’m a big believer in the “players play” rule, so the nonstop Tracy bashing/MMQB stuff generally bores me. But tonight, no such deference is due. A pisspoor job by Tracy.
And we are not going to win many games with 4 straight sub-.200 hitters “anchoring” the bottom of the order. Stew is back, Lopez needs to be done for a while.
by Teekalong on May 3, 2011 11:30 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
We'll see how Stewie does in his two starts Wed/Thurs
But he looked terrible at the plate in his PH appearance tonight, and shouldn’t be inspiring any confidence that he’s de facto better than Lopez right now.
"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
That may well be true
Though he got burned by an awfully good pitch tonight. Regardless, Lopez is nowhere near an ML quality bat this year so I’m willing to take the risk. Grass is always greener or something.
by Teekalong on May 3, 2011 11:44 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree, and I look forward to seeing Stewie's next two games...
….but tonight’s AB, combined with his 30% K rate at AAA, does not inspire a lot of confidence. I’m certainly open to being proven wrong, but I’m not convinced he’s fixed yet. It’s obviously he was only brought back now because of Wiggy, and I don’t have a problem with that, but it doesn’t mean he’s actually ready to be back yet.
And I’m certainly not ready to DFA Lopez if Stewie’s not actually ready to hit ML pitching yet, either.
"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
I was finishing up my Final Project in my Masters class all night
So I didn’t pay too close of attention to most of the game. But even I looked up at the game in that situation and wondered what Tracy was thinking.
Altar Boy in the Church of Santo Ubaldo
"...buffalo chicken is a fine anti-depressant, after all." -UZ
I'm done with Giambi and Lopez.... Done. Done. Done.
Get them out of here.
We Fear NO ONE.
Because We Know: WE ARE THE ROCKIES.
by The Lodo Magic Man on May 3, 2011 11:25 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Agreed on Lopez.
"I need to think something lasts forever, and it might as well be that state of being that is a game; it might as well be that, in a green field, in the sun."
Lopez has proven he is not up to the task.
Play Stewie consistently so he can get his rhythm back. He can’t be any worse than Lopez, and with regular playing time, he will hopefully come back to his old self. If he doesn’t, than this team needs to make some major decisions about 3B next season.
by Cheeseheadroxfan on May 4, 2011 9:58 AM MDT up reply actions
Send in Nelson!
We need someone else who can deliver!
by Real Perspective on May 4, 2011 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions
I've been agreed on Giambi for a year
he’s a coach taking up a roster spot. Sure one of these days, he’s going to belt one out of the park late in a game and we’ll all cheer, but what’s the cost of having him on the roster?
"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 3, 2011 11:34 PM MDT up reply actions 6 recs
Ditto
As soon as Wiggy’s back to take over for spelling Todd, he needs to find his way to a stable.
Altar Boy in the Church of Santo Ubaldo
"...buffalo chicken is a fine anti-depressant, after all." -UZ
I jumped on this bandwagon after last night.
Giambi seems like he is 0-for-forever.
Dear Gods of Baseball, whatever we did, we are sorry. Please let Ubaldo be great again.
--The Rowbots
Yep!
We certainly don’t need him now. Especially with Helton hitting like the champ he is!
by Real Perspective on May 4, 2011 10:41 AM MDT up reply actions
Starting to think
Giambi’s roster spot was part of the co sideration for the Tulo deal.
by Teekalong on May 3, 2011 11:38 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
A statement that would have sounded silly in 2009:
I’m very happy that Jonathon Broxton is not our closer.
Rocktober is not a time of year, it is a religion.
Interesting notes from Renck:
Some postgame reax: Jim Tracy wanted to send Lindstrom out for 8th, but arm was a litlte cranky. Lindstrom said he should be fine
The cold weather and a new role for Lindstrom caused a little arm soreness. But he said he would like to pitch tomorrow.
Paulino was "suprised’’ that Upton was swinging 3-0. "I didn’t expect it. You have to be sure in that situation.’’ continued
Paulino "After three balls out of the zone, hard to see how he was swinging when they needed a baserunner. Didn’t see that happening’’
So, Paulino wasn’t the first choice there.
I honestly don’t have any problem with Betancourt not being in. I probably would have preferred Belisle, if Lindstrom couldn’t go another. But I’m not going to crucify Jim for that decision.
You still can't throw a guy a meatball in a tie game
Shouldn’t be in a 3-0 count on your first batter in the first place, but once you’re there a leadoff walk (as bad as they are) is better than a double or a home run.
"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
I'm not crucifying him
I’d save that for if he pinch hit for CarGo with Rogers because he wanted a bunt or something. But when there are at least two better courses of action, I cannot understand the defense. The Lindstrom soreness doesn’t change that, as I didn’t consider him coming in for the 8th anyway after the long top half
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 3, 2011 11:37 PM MDT up reply actions
If you can't trust Paulino to pitch in that situation, then why is he even on the roster?
It is his job to ptch out of the bullpen. If he can’t do it (and it looks to me like he can’t), replace him!
by Cheeseheadroxfan on May 4, 2011 10:03 AM MDT up reply actions
that's not quite right
The sixth guy out of the pen is never the one. managers have to trust to get a clean eighth inning of a tie game. that’s not his job, and it doesn’t mean he has to be replaced. he’s fine for his role. that was not his role.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 4, 2011 1:38 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
While Paulino probably wasn't ideal
And while I don’t like the decision personally, I have to be honest and admit that the difference between Paulino and Betancourt over just one inning probably isn’t huge.
Rocktober is not a time of year, it is a religion.
Like you
I would have preferred Belisle (and actually expected him).
But the decision made was understandable.
I don’t understand why Smith didn’t PH in the 8th.
"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
I don't understand why, with a rested bullpen,
Tracy’s Plan A was Lindstrom for two innings (or maybe four outs) with a long top of the 8th.
Plan B: The 6th man in the bullpen.
Plan C: Belisle/Betancourt
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 3, 2011 11:46 PM MDT up reply actions
I will say this
He finally wasn’t burning his bullpen to get through 9. After a few extra-innings games this year where it was looking pretty shoddy for bullpen depth by about the 12th inning, it’s a welcome relief that he’s at least considering playing more than regulation.
Altar Boy in the Church of Santo Ubaldo
"...buffalo chicken is a fine anti-depressant, after all." -UZ
Push a damn run across in the 8th
And you don’t have to answer questions about why Paulino is pitching in a tie game, because Raffy’s out there.
I don’t blame Paulino any more than I blame Frankie Mo for the 14-inning loss in Pitsburgh. Visiting team needs to grab the lead when they have a chance. If they don’t, some reliever is going to be left holding the bag – it’s just a matter of which one.
by Northsider1964 on May 3, 2011 11:41 PM MDT up reply actions 3 recs
Totally agree.
Someone is always going to break, or there’s going to be a few bloop hits in a row, or an unlucky bounce, etc. I always think managers are kind of in a tight spot in tie games on the road. I feel like every time a road game is tied in late innings, there are disagreements about bullpen usage. Yet if the offense scratches out a run, the decisions are immediately clearer.
Another positive from tonight.
I made most of my comments at the end of the game thread, but here’s one more minor point:
Spilly looked a lot less lost at the plate tonight. In fact, he was the only one one the team who managed to execute with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs as far as I can remember.
"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
I love you, Tracy, but you over-managed the 9th
You have the tying run on with one out, and Herrera coming up, who would rank 9th in the league in OBP if he had that ABs, rarely strikes out, is hitting .300, and has his head in the game and a hot Helton coming up behind him. You just need to keep the inning going. Instead, you pinch hit with Giambi, who hasn’t been in a game recently, strikes out a lot, and is hitting a buck-67.
What were you thinking???
Because that is Giambi's role on the team
If you don’t use them in those situations you shouldn’t have him on the roster (which I wholeheartedly support — see above). If he’s on the team you use him with one out in the 9th and a runner on first to see if he can hit one over the fence and win the game. That’s his job.
"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
But you don't have to save him for the 9th
Pinch hit him (or Smith) in the 8th when all you need is a single or sac fly to take the lead.
Giambi’s still a decent stick when the team needs a singe or sac fly – but a big time power hitter, he ain’t. Sending him up to “win it” in the 9th tells me Tracy is stuck in the year 2001.
by Northsider1964 on May 3, 2011 11:46 PM MDT up reply actions
Ok. I can get behind this
Spilly was the only one tonight who could hit a sac fly, though a few others hit them when there wasn’t anyone on base. That’s definitely something that needs to improve. I still don’t like the idea of having a designated late-game-sac-fly-hitter on the roster though.
"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
Neither do I, but Tracy didn't construct the roster, and he has to manage with what he has
"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
Yes, he does.
But my point is simply that it’s not Tracy’s idea to have “a designated late-game-sac-fly-hitter on the roster”
"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
How do we know it wasn't his idea?
Or at least he had some say …Is it his m.o. from past manager jobs that he doesn’t have a liking for designated late game ,sacfly hitters ? Inquiring minds want to know …:)
It's definitely O'Dowd's call
But I do think Tracy, Tulo, Helton and others leaned hard on him to bring Giambi back. O’Dowd seemed dead set on parting ways with Giambi at season’s end, but did a 180-degree turn on it during the offseason.
This is why it’s good to be skeptical when you’re the boss and some of your employees march into the office and say, “We have a friend who would be PERFECT for this job. He’s really a GREAT GUY!”
by Northsider1964 on May 4, 2011 8:15 AM MDT up reply actions
Nice guy, but ...
Perhaps the solution is to now have him on the roster at all.
by Real Perspective on May 4, 2011 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions
Oh I'm not a fan of having Giambi on the roster either - not at all
But if he’s going to take up a spot, use him where he can actually help – and tonight that was PHing for Lopez in the 8th. Or go with Smith – I don’t care – but I could have gone out there in my street clothes with a rolled-up copy of the Wall Street Journal and taken better swings than Lopez did.
by Northsider1964 on May 3, 2011 11:54 PM MDT up reply actions
That sac fly
actually cost you a run. Think about it. If Spilly even gets a walk there, you score two runs instead of one.
I'd have let Giambi try to do his job...
… if the bottom third of the order were coming up, but not with two of my hottest hitters coming up in Hererra and Helton, followed by Tulo and Cargo. What the hell does Johnny have to do to earn some respect?
I'm not gonna blame Tracy...or the guys on the field
Obviously they are all distracted about Ubaldo’s mild diabetes.
The Martha Stewart of processed foods.
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Video tips on posting links and images to Purple Row - Click Here -
I thought it was mild luekemia?
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say it's playoffs or bust"- J. Hammel
Toddfather, Tulo, CarGo plus The Answer - Rox 2011 NL West Crown
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
no, it's only the diabetes that's mild, the leukemia is much more serious
"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
I'll admit, you guys had me legitly fooled for a minute.
the intensely fast typing into google proved my worry was for nothing… I really should sleep.
it's a "joke" from this morning RP
when someone suggested Ubaldo’s problems are because he either has luekemia or mild diabetes.
The Martha Stewart of processed foods.
Super Overlady Of the Ubaldo Lovers Club.
Proud Member of the PR gynocracy.
Video tips on posting links and images to Purple Row - Click Here -
Speaking of Leukemia..
If anyone would like to sign up to be a bone marrow donor, they can do it at this website: Be The Match. I signed up over the winter. You’re chances of being selected as a donor are like 1:600 but you’re chances of finding a match if you have Leukemia is like 1:2,000
He ain't sick, just recuperating
We are all happy to learn Ubaldo ain’t sick.
And by the way it costs nothing to sign up as a bone marrow donor. Even unpleasant fellows like me are on the list.
by Real Perspective on May 4, 2011 10:49 AM MDT up reply actions
I was mostly referring to the continual jokes about Leukemia
after you posted your suggestions. RiRF posted a video made by his sister that showed his personal struggle with Leukemia when he was a young child . ..thus my comment about sensitive subject. Thank you for signing up to be a donor. I don’t think you are unpleasant ….. you just like to stir things up a bit ;)
Now, before everyone goes to bed angry
You’ll thank me
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 3, 2011 11:42 PM MDT reply actions
Thank you!
CarGo really did look better tonight, overall not just on that at-bat. I say this in the series he breaks out.
"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
Does he really?
Sneaky little bugger, getting out of the slump like that while everyone’s focused on Stewie and Ubaldo….
’night all :-)
"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
Tonight showed why we shouldn't be content with below average bullpen pitchers..
when Matt Daley is available in the Springs and has yet to give up a Earned Run. He also has a low WHIP (.923).
We need to reforMATT
you might say
"I think I speak for everyone in here when I say it's playoffs or bust"- J. Hammel
Toddfather, Tulo, CarGo plus The Answer - Rox 2011 NL West Crown
Orig.Thugget Loyalist #4, UNugg #4, QPU Emeritus, Proud member PR Gynocracy
by SDcat09 on May 4, 2011 12:02 AM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
It's time for Daley to Mattriculate
It’s become a matter of urgency. The FO is looking like a bunch of amatteurs – there’s no doubt he’d make a matterial difference to the matturity of our relieving staff.
reKs brothers is on line 2, as well
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
*f. liriano's FIP currently sits at 6.06**
** suck it dave cameron
herp derp
i never thought one of the best fastball hitters in the league would sit on a fastball on a 3-0 count in the 8th inning of a tie game.
-paulino
Why isn't Paulino on the WPA zeros list?
Doesn’t he get a big negative for giving up the winning HR?
somehow I overlooked him
He was at a -.214
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on May 4, 2011 8:30 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Can someone explain?
why was Johnny Herrera sent home from 3rd, with no one on base after his triple in the 5th? was it because there was one out already?
Hard to say
This was probably consistent with the Rox approach of playing aggressive baseball — score whenever you have the opportunity. Someone just miscalculated.
by Real Perspective on May 4, 2011 10:52 AM MDT up reply actions
Having one out was a factor
They probably don’t send him on contact if there are no outs. But I still don’t like the play unless there is a trail runner moving into scoring position on the throw home. When that happens and the out is recorded at hone, you don’t pay a big price for taking a chance. But when you trade “Herrera on 3rd with two outs” for “Helton on 1st with two outs” – that’s a big price to pay.
Conversely, sending Helton home in the 8th really didn’t cost the team anything, because the trail runner and the batter both moved up into scoring position. Helton staying put at 3rd wouldn’t have changed the outcome for the better.
by Northsider1964 on May 4, 2011 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions
The reason I'm sort of annoyed and jumping on the "manager did it" bandwagon for this game
Was that several Rockies were showing signs of an uptick from the lousy Pirates series (Cargo especially) but it feels like all the coaching decisions in the game backfired.
ESPECIALLY our original lineup which was terrible. How else can you spread out a hit in every single inning, and end up only scoring 3 runs?
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