Colorado Springs, W 5-3 - The Sky Sox scored all five runs in the fifth inning. Cory Sullivan drove one run in on a ground out; Jayson Nix hit a two-run homer (14); Ian Stewart singled and Seth Smith scored on that play after an error; and Edwin Bellorin doubled in Stewart.

Franklin Morales allowed only two runs (on a homer) over 6 2/3 innings, walked four, and struck out four. Ryan Speier allowed the other run on the way to his second save.

Tulsa, W 8-1 - Brandon Hynick went eight innings, allowed one run on five hits, walked two, and struck out one. He also drove in a run. Jeff Kindel went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Daniel Carte drove in two runs, and Dexter Fowler collected two hits and an RBI.

Modesto, W 5-2 - Aneury Rodriguez threw eight shutout innings last night for the Nuts. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out six. David Patton allowed two runs on four hits.

Jay Cox led the offense last night with a double and a homer to drive in two runs. Daniel Mayora and Mike Paulk drove in the other runs. Anthony Jackson stole his 21st base.

Asheville, W 4-3 - Despite allowing two runs in the top of the ninth, Randall Taylor saved his 24th game. Connor Graham started the game, went seven innings, and allowed one run on three hits and four walks. He struck out five.

Darin Holcomb drove in two runs on his 11th homer to reach base for the 30th consecutive game, and Brian Rike drove in a run. Everth Cabrera and Kevin Clark each walked twice, the former scoring once and the latter twice. Cabrera stole his 52nd base. Jeff Cunningham had three hits.

Tri-City, L 5-12 - Juan Nicasio was knocked around for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings, all scored in the third. Five runs of them scored on three consecutive singles. Andy Groves allowed four runs over the next three outs.

Charlie Blackmon had a two-run triple in the fifth and drove in a total of three runs. Johnny Bowden had a double and an RBI. Thomas Field went 2-for-2 with two walks.

I received some photos from someone who attended Wednesday's Tri-City game. You can check them out by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post.

Christian Friedrich should make his debut on Wednesday. It also mentions that Hector Gomez had TJ surgery earlier in the week.

Casper, W 5-2 - Wilin Rosario had two doubles, one of which drove in two runs in the fifth. A run scored earlier that inning on an error. In the top of the ninth, back-to-back wild pitches scored two more runs. James Sims went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two walks. He also stole his second base.

Dan Houston struck out eight  and allowed one run on his way to a three-hit, six-inning performance. Isaiah Froneberger struck out three, as did Kurt Yacko in the bottom of the ninth.

Continue reading this post »

Colorado Springs: W 9-2

Ian Stewart, Seth Smith and Jayson Nix all homered and had a pair of hits for the Sky Sox to help drive some uncharacteristic high scoring at Tacoma. Sean Smith pitched six and two thirds, allowing two runs to pick up the win. Would he be a better option than Mark Redman? I'd say probably not, while Smith has an advantage in run prevention, he's done it by avoiding good hitters, which won't be as effective a strategy with the quality of the MLB. While this is exactly the strategy that Redman depoys, Mark's got the added advantages of experience and his left arm. Still the differences between the two might not amount to much. Since Redman isn't likely to factor into the team's 2009 plans, but Smith most likely is, the decision to call up Redman to replace Francis might be lacking foresight. Since 2008 is pretty much a total wash out, I'd rather the team spend its efforts on prepping for 2009, including giving guys like Smith some needed big league experience when the opportunity arises.

Instead, the Rockies moves seem to have a lot to do with replacing one defective part with the part that's most similar to that part. Never mind that because of the similarities the parts may well be defective in exactly the same way. Of course, going to a Cook, Jimenez, JDLR, Reynolds, Smith rotation for a few weeks would be a PR hit (Cook and the uncooked?) but let's face it, replacing Smith with Redman in that five doesn't make it look any prettier.

Tulsa: Off

Modesto: W 5-3

Andrew Johnston had such a horrendous year in 2007 that I've probably been subconciously avoiding talking about his 2008, but it's hard not to notice the 0.83 ERA and the seventeen saves and the 65% GB rate which has allowed him to post one of the lowest H/9 rates in the California League despite a defense that doesn't have the best range behind him. I think I'm okay allowing him back into my prospect radar right now.

Keith Weiser started the game that Johnston saved, and started it well, pitching seven innings while allowing just five hits and a walk. Matt Repec hit a three run homer as part of a four run fourth, and a Victor Ferrante triple in the ninth plated the last run for the Nuts.

Asheville: Off

Tri-City: W 13-0

Despite a .226 average, 24th round pick Thomas Field had the second best OBP on the team heading into yesterday's game, but perhaps somewhat surprisingly he also was the team's second best RBI producer. That meant that either he had been remarkable clutch or was really good at drawing the bases loaded walk. If you've been watching the box scores you'll know it's more of that first category, and as if to emphasize the point he came through with six more RBI yesterday, including two off a first inning, two out double and three more off a bases loaded double in the fourth. With 14 RBI on the season now, he's no longer the Dust Devils second best in that category.

In his two prior appearances in relief, Brad McAtee was probably not as good as his sparkilng ERA would have you believe, but he was just as good yesterday as the five scoreless innings, four hits (all singles), one walk, three strikeout appearance looks. Jeffrey Murphy, on the other hand, has probably been better than his 4.26 ERA, yesterday he pitched three scoreless in relief, also struck out three and allowed just one hit. In all, opposing batters are hitting just .095 off of him this season.

Casper: L 4-12

Matt Baugh handed Casper's bullpen a 4-2 lead, and Chad Rose and Eric Schaler took a hammer to it. Rose had his initiation to what sort of pain can be inflicted on pitchers in the Pioneer League if they make too many mistakes, giving up six in the seventh inning. Schaler, who's no virgin to that pain, gave up four more in the eighth. The shell shocked Ghosts offense didn't recover. Nick Valdez hit his second homerun as part of a two hit day.

Colorado Springs, L 2-4 - Not much was done offensively last night, but Seth Smith had two hits (his double being the only extra-base hit for the Sky Sox). Glendon Rusch allowed four runs and walked four in 4 2/3 innings. Half of those runs came on a third inning home run. Cedrick Bowers, Juan Morillo, and Josh Newman held Tacoma to one hit (Bowers) and two walks (Morillo) over the final 3 1/3 innings. Newman struck out three.

Tulsa, W 4-3 in 11 innings - David Parrish's first homer was an important one since he hit it in the top of the 11th to give Tulsa the lead. Earlier in the game, Dexter Fowler had three singles and an RBI, Eric Young Jr. had two singles and an RBI, and Tony Blanco hit his 14th homer.

Chaz Roe went six innings, allowed two runs, and walked three. Ryan Mattheus, Adam Bright, and Darren Clarke held San Antonio to two hits over the next two innings. Casey Weathers blew the game in the ninth, allowing a run on a HBP, a walk (his second one, an IBB, came after the run scored), and a single. Jarrett Grube held San Antonio to a hit over the final two innings.

Modesto, L 4-5 in 10 innings - Mike McKenry went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI, and Jay Cox had a solo homer (3) in th eighth inning to tie the game at four. Brandon Durden started the game, went four innings, and allowed foru runs on a solo homer and a three-run sho. Chris Malone struck out four over his three innigs of relief.

David Patton took the loss after pitching 2 2/3 innings. Michael Massaro, the leadoff batter for the inning, reached base on a single and then advanced to second on a throwing error by Patton on the pickoff attempt. After a strikeout, the next batter appeared to single in Massaro, but Anthony Jackson gunned him down with his throw to McKenry at the plate. The batter advanced to second and scored on a single by the next batter.

Asheville, W 9-3 - Robinson Fabian went six string innings, allowing only two runs. Joey Williamson pitched the final three innings to pick up his first save. He allowed one run on a homer and struck out three.

Everth Cabrera fell a homer short of the cycle, drove in two, and stole his 51st base; Kevin Clark drove in three on a ground out, a sac fly, a and a single; Darin Holcomb drove in two on a sac fly and a double; and Jeff Cunningham (13) and Helder Velazquez (6) each had a solo shot.

Tri-City, W 5-3 - Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Chris Vasami and Thomas Field each had a triple (and an error) Field and Patrick Rose accounted for the other two RBI.

Jonnathan Aristil yielded three runs over six innings to Boise. He walked two and struck out four. Bobby Paschal allowed three hits in two innings, but Boise was unable to do anything else. Austin Chambliss picked up his fifth save.

Casper - Off.

Colorado Springs, W 13-1 - Christian Colonel went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, a double, a home run, and two RBI. Doug Bernier went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a home run, and two RBI. Edwin Bellorin had three RBI, two on a home run. Sean Barker had a two-run triple as a pinch-hitter for Mark Redman in the sixth. Jonathan Herrera, Seth Smith, and Joe Koshansky picked up one RBI each.

Mark Redman held Fresno scoreless over six innings and allowed only two hits. Juan Morillo pitched hte final 1 2/3 innings, striking out two, and walking none.

Tulsa - Postponed due to wet grounds. Todd Ritchie is now part of the rotation.

Modesto - All-Star Break.

Asheville, L 3-8 - Darin Holcomb hits his 10th homer, a solo shot, and scored twice. Everth Cabrera and Cory Riordan both committed two errors last night while David Christensen had one to place the team's total at five. Riordan allowed five runs (one earned) over five innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Tri-City, W 3-1 - After Salem-Kaizer's sac fly in the top of the second, Tri-City answered with a Patrick Rose sac fly and a Scott Robinson run scored on a Thomas Field ground out. In the eighth, Patrick Rose started the inning with a triple and scored two batters later when Leonardo Reyes put down a sac bunt. Reyes wound up on first after a missed catch by the second baseman.

Kenny Durst held Salem-Kaizer to three hits and one run (zero earned) in five innings. He walked four and struck out three. Michael Marbry, Ethan Katz, and Austin Chambliss allowed two hits over the next four innings, both by Marbry. Chambliss picked up his second save.

Casper - Postponed due to rain.

Colorado Springs, L 5-6 - Seth Smith had his ninth home run, a two-run shot in the first, and Cory Sullivan had his fourth, a three-run homer in the fifth. Sean Smith threw seven innings of four-hit, two-run ball. Both runs were off solo shots. Juan Morillo allowed a run in the eighth, but it was Matt Daley who blew the game in the ninth. He allowed three runs on four singles and two walks.

Tulsa, W 6-3 - As mentioned during the game thread, Dexter Fowler had two doubles last night to increase his total to 20 on the season. His two RBI scored on the second one. Matt Miller went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Eric Young Jr. had two hits, and Daniel Carte stole his fourth base.

Xavier Cedeno turned in a solid 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks. Ryan Mattheus struck out two on his way to his 10th save. The Drillers turned four double plays (five if you include a play in the eighth, according to the Tulsa World).

Modesto, L 2-6 - Jason Van Kooten collected three of Modesto seven hits last night. All seven were singles. Van Kooten had two errors on the same play in the first inning. Aneury Rodriguez allowed two runs (one earned) in that inning on two hits. He allowed two more hits and walked over the next five innings. At the end of six innings, Rodriguez had struck out five and allowed only those two runs at the start of the game. Chris Malone allowed four runs on six hits in the seventh, but Andy Graham and Andrew Johnston combined to pitch a scoreless final two innings.

Jay Cox should be back with the team today after returning home to deal with a family emergency.

Asheville - All-Star Break.

Colorado Springs, W 11-9 - Seth Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Two of the RBI came on two sac flies. Cory Sullivan collected four hits in six at-bats, scored three times, and had two doubles. Kenny Perez hit a two-run triple, and Sean Barker drove in two.

Things went mostly well for Glendon Rusch through the end of the fourth. He allowed a run and some hits, but it was the fifth that hurt him. He allowed two singles to start the inning and then saw both men score on a double. After putting another runner on base, Rusch allowed a two-out three-run home run. He would pitch another 1 2/3 innings, leaving after 6 2/3 IP. Matt Daley finished the seventh before giving way to Micah Bowie in the eighth. He struck out one and allowed one hit. Josh Newman allowed back-to-back doubles in the ninth and then saw a pop up to short turn into a two-run single. Another double scored the third run of the inning. Steven Register recorded the final out for his ninth save.

Tulsa, L 5-9 - Brandon Hynick allowed eight runs on 12 hits in seven innings. Three of those 12 hits went for home runs. Dexter Fowler had a big night, going 4-for-5 with two doubles (18), but drove in no runs. Tony Blanco hit his 10th homer, a solo shot in the eighth.

Last week the Tulsa World's Barry Lewis sat down with Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett for a Q&A.

Modesto, L 4-6 - Aaron Cook won this game. No, not our Aaron Cook. The Angels have an Aaron Cook, a reliever. Anyway, Simon Ferrer had another solid start, allowing three runs over six innings on five hits and two walks. Andy Graham came in for the seventh and blew the lead by allowing an RBI single and a two-run double. He also pitched the eighth and saw a double play end the inning.

Travis Becktel and Anthony Jackson had RBI singles in the fifth to put the Nuts within one of Rancho Cucamonga. In the seventh, Mike Paulk's double scored Troy Tulowitzki, and Aaron Cook hit Mike McKenry with the bases loaded, putting the Nuts ahead 4-3. Tulo had three hits, two were doubles.

Brian VanderBeek interviewed Andrew Johnston this week.

Asheville, L 3-5 -  Kevin Clark went 3-for-5 with his seventh homer and two RBI. Darin Holcomb drove in the other run. Mike Mitchell had three hits. Connor Graham allowed three runs over five innings, walked four, and struck out five. Craig Baker allowed two runs while pitching the final two innings of the game, leading to the loss.

The Tourists will at least tie for the first-half division championship if they lose today and Charleston wins, but if the Tourists win today that would be better. As Darin Holbcomb said, “Our mindset (Sunday)? We come out and we kill these guys[.]”

Colorado Springs, W 4-2 - Seth Smith's two-run home run (7) in the first and Joe Koshansky's two-run home run (15) in the third were all the runs the Sky Sox needed last night  for the victory. Cory Sullivan was in the lineup, in case anyone missed malakian's mention of it in yesterday's Pebble Report.

Franklin Morales went seven innings and allowed both runs on a first-inning homer. He walked three and struck out three.

Tulsa, L 3-4 in 10 innings  - Chaz Roe threw eight strong innings last night. He allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks, and struck out five. Two of the runs came in the first inning, with the final run scored in the sixth.

Dexter Fowler, Jeff Kindel, and Daniel Carte each had three hits last night, but it was Kindel's single in the third that scored two of Tulsa's runs. Eric Young Jr. stole his 15th base.

Modesto, L 1-8 - Troy Tulowitzki committed two fielding errors and did not have a hit in three at-bats. The Nuts had only four hits.

Chris Malone went three innings and allowed five runs on eight hits. He struck out five. Tommy Baumgardner pitched three scoreless innings before Bandon Durden came in to pitch the eighth and allowed three runs.

Asheville, L 3-4 - Jhoulys Chacin went 6 2/3 innings, allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks, and struck out four. Craig Rodriguez went the next 1 1/3 innings, but gave up the winning run in the eighth by walking two and allowing a single. Edgmer Escalona struck out two in the ninth.

Everth Cabrera and Brian Lapin were the only two starters to not record a hit last night, but no starter had more than one hit. Kevin Clark made the most of his with his sixth homer, a two-run shot in the second inning. Darin Holcomb drove in his 51st RBI.

What do fellow 2008 draftees Buster Posey, Jason Castro, and Gordon Beckham have in common with Christian Friedrich? He struck them out in succession last summer while he pitched for the Falmouth Commodores in the Cape Cod League. He should have plenty of opportunities in the future to strike out Posey some more.

What did Friedrich do while he waited for his name to be called?

“I was sitting upstairs in my parent’s bedroom watching (the draft) by myself,” Friedrich said from his home in Evanston, Ill. “I just kept watching time go by and (time) was just standing still for me. It was crazy just waiting, hoping.”

At the end of the story, there's an indication that Friedrich wants to work things out with the club in the next few days.

According to Gregg Ellis (of the Daily Journal) at his Mississippi State Bulldogs blog, Aaron Weatherford is ready to put college behind him and sign quickly.

Kiel Roling plans on signing with the Rockies once the NCAA tournament is over. If Arizona State goes deep into the College World Series, we should see plenty of him on TV.

Even with the new draftees, let's not forget that we have a young pitcher trying to find his way back to the majors.

Yorvit Torrealba appealed his three-game suspension, meaning he continues to play until a decision is made on the appeal. Also in that article, the outfield situation is brought up. Poll question.

The Rockies return home to face Ryan Braun and the Milwaukee Brewers tonight.

As anybody can tell, it's been just about a complete and total group effort for the team's abysmal failures thus far. The blame is too diffuse to do any good. You saw me on Saturday, I was too scrambled with the misery to keep a coherent train of thought. Everything looks bad, so we're just spinning our wheels here and any complaint will seem valid but ultimately futile. There are too many elephants to eat, regardless of how many bites we start off with. So what I propose instead is that we just narrow our focus and blame to one individual. We need a scapegoat.

via upload.wikimedia.org

Okay, I know a lot of you want Clint Hurdle's blood, a few wouldn't mind Dan O'Dowd or the Monforts, or players like Jorge de la Rosa or Yorvit Torrealba, but that's not how scapegoats work. It's got to be somebody who we can blame for all the team's failures so the guys who really are failing (everybody else) can feel better about themselves and then get back on track. In other words, it's got to be somebody relatively blameless for this season. Aaron Cook? What are you kidding? We can't give up our best guy. Jason Hirsh is relatively blameless, I mean he hasn't even played this season, but then the Rockies -who let's face it- have had some religious issues in the past, might not want to deal with the ramifications of blaming the Jewish guy. So Hirsh is definitely out.

Spilly? I probably ruined that possibility myself last year when I thought he was Jewish too, but it turns out he's just Belgian. Let's just not go there, because it's sort of embarrassing for me and besides, he's our second best player right now. Really, we need all the help we can get.

Okay, so by my count, that leaves us four candidates for a worthy scapegoat. All are young, pretty decent but not spectacularly enough where they're too valuable to exclude themselves from consideration for bearing the burden of the team's miserable play in 2008:

• Chris Iannetta
• Ian Stewart
• Seth Smith
• Taylor Buchholz
  

I'm going to put their names in a hat, and draw one out for the Official Purple Row Scapegoat of the Week. If anything goes wrong with the team, it's that guy's fault. Yorvit Torrealba GIDP's, you blame the scapegoat. Glendon Rusch gives up two three run bombs in the first inning, you blame the scapegoat.

Everybody clear on this? Good, I feel much better about the team already. I'll have the name of the OPRSW by tonight's game thread, so if there are any objections to the candidates, come up with them quick.

A new albeit familiar number one, and Jhoulys Chacin skyrockets into the top five. I'll post the others receiving votes in the comments.