Game #114: Jennings. vs. Billingsley

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 5:11 PM MDT in Rockpile

Is there a better way for the Rockies to split this series other than to face a rookie?

This is Billinglsey's first start against the Rockies and he's had problems with walks so far this season. He has 41 walks and 35 strike outs.

Of course, that doesn't mean much if the Rockies start swinging outside of the K-Zone.

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HUGE Game

Win this one, and it's a successful roadtrip, and we'll only be two games out of first coming home for seven.

Lose this one... and, well, "Go Seahawks!" (At least for me... those of you with worse taste in football teams might be more inclined to shout for the Broncos or whoever.)

Die-hard Rockies fan. On the bandwagon since 4/2/93. Not giving up my seat. EVER.

by Franchise26 on Aug 10, 2006 5:29 PM MDT reply actions

Go Broncos! Go Ducks! Go Fighting Irish!

And I can't wait for the Madden curse to strike Shaun Alexander.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 7:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Seahawks...

will once again return to the Super Bowl ONLY to get defeated by the STEELERS!!

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 7:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Bandwagon

It's going to sound like I am a lot of bandwagons, but these are the teams I have rooted for for a long time GO Broncos, GO Steelers, Go Buckeyes! And of course....

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 7:23 PM MDT reply actions

If anyone hasn't checked out these great SBN sites

you really should:

Field Gulls (Seahawks)

Behind the Steel Curtain (Steelers)

Around the Oval (Buckeyes), though I'm partial to Schembechler Hall (Wolverines) in that rivalry.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 7:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Yuck

Sorry, Rox Rock, but between my love of the Seahawks and Wolverines (GO BLUE!) it looks like we can't be friends.

And I don't think we'll be seeing the Steelers anywhere near this year's Super Bowl - unless Ben Wrecklessdriver decides to bring his motorcycle to Miami. This is Seattle's year, baby - they're easily the strongest, deepest team in the NFL, and no one else is really close.

Oh, and while I'm at it - Go Air Force Falcons, Go Wolverines, and Go Whoever's Playing the Broncos.

Die-hard Rockies fan. On the bandwagon since 4/2/93. Not giving up my seat. EVER.

by Franchise26 on Aug 10, 2006 8:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Just kidding

Of course we're all friends here, united in purple and silver all summer long and beyond. Just wanted to make sure my tone of jest was taken as such - you never know sometimes.

Die-hard Rockies fan. On the bandwagon since 4/2/93. Not giving up my seat. EVER.

by Franchise26 on Aug 10, 2006 8:10 PM MDT up reply actions

Well

I'll have to agree with you that the the Seahawks are a good team and easily the best in the NFC, they brought in Julian Peterson LB from the 49ers and Nate Burleson from the Vikings however they lost Joe Jurevicous and Steve Hutchinson so they stayed neutral to some degree. However no one is a lock to make the playoffs no matter how good the team is one freak injury like I don't know hmmm... how about a motorcycle crash can ruin a teams chances. I don't know if I can forgive you for being a Wolverines fan though haha GO Buckeyes.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 8:36 PM MDT up reply actions

I must

chime in...

GO BRONCOS!, GO AVALANCHE!, and as bandwagon as it sounds, GO NITTANY LIONS! (I've been a fan of PSU for 11 years now, through all of those tough years, finally Joe Pa has returned the faithful to glory!)...tough game against ND though in week 2.

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 9:47 PM MDT up reply actions

Av's

I am a Av's fan as well, but right now its hard to watch all of their great players leave because of the Salary Cap. The broncos are driving me crazy right now just keep one running back for gods sake.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 10:00 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree

it is hard watching them leave, but they were able to keep Sakic. Its hard, but its the life of the NHL now...

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Avs fan as well

and if anyone remembers my first post back in late March/early April when I took control of the site temporarily, the Avs are how I became a fan of all the Colorado pro teams.

The last two or three years the Avs have done some nice drafting and I was absolutely ecstatic a couple weeks ago when Paul Stastny signed a contract with the Avs.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 10:05 PM MDT up reply actions

You should check

out the newest member of the SBN family at Black Shoe Diaires. This Penn State blog just started tonight.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 10:46 PM MDT up reply actions

I will...

for sure check it out. Thanks

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:51 PM MDT up reply actions

This is going to make me very popular around here

But here goes:

GO CHIEFS!

by rockiesfan06 on Aug 11, 2006 12:53 AM MDT up reply actions

Yeah

Matt with a homerun to tie it up!

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 8:38 PM MDT reply actions

Back-to-back walks

by Billingsley. Now let's make him pay for them.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 8:54 PM MDT reply actions

Back-to-back-to-back walks

and. . . and. . . Hawpe GIDPs. :(

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 9:00 PM MDT up reply actions

JJ

strikes out Kent...end of the third

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 9:10 PM MDT reply actions

Carroll

I knew Jamey hasn't been swinging a good bat but he is only batting .304 now.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 9:34 PM MDT reply actions

Sullivan

ties up the game! It always seems like the Rockies just do enough to tie it up and never can score any other time.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 9:57 PM MDT reply actions

Sullivan

comes through (for once!), and JJ follows with a nice 1-2-3 inning.

Now lets go put some runs on the board!

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:06 PM MDT reply actions

1st and 3rd...

for Holliday, 1 out (should be two as Helton K'd but a wild pitch by Sele allowed Helton to get on)...

big moment...

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:12 PM MDT reply actions

sorry

1st and 2nd**

and as I type that, Holliday almost grounds into a double play, but instead a force out. 1st and 3rd now for Hawpe

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:16 PM MDT up reply actions

realllllly big moment...

the Rockies best chance of the game right here; Hawpe walks, bases loaded for the teams hottest hitter, Torrealba

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:20 PM MDT reply actions

annd...

Torrealba grounds into a forceout =(....

this is the problem I have. He swings on the FIRST pitch, after Biemel just walked Hawpe...

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:20 PM MDT up reply actions

and he comes up cold

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 10:20 PM MDT up reply actions

Although

the Rockies have 7 walks in this game they really aren't that patient of a team Carroll has a good eye and takes pitches as does Helton, but Holliday likes to swing at the first pitch, Torrealaba swings at the first pitch, barmes rarely walks, and Hawpe swings at pitches at his eyes. What the Rockies need besides a more experienced bullpen and stronger bench is time...time to devolop patience they are still a very young team and although we as fans have raised our expectations we still have to realize how young they really are.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 10:28 PM MDT up reply actions

Very young?

Sorry, but most of these players are at the age that is considered their peak period. Hawpe, Holliday, Barmes, Atkins, all on the wrong side of their 26 year old season, which means the players they are now are most likely the players they will be. You won't be seeing a great deal of improvement from the GenR guys that you haven't seen this season.

Any improvement in the team will come from players not currently on the roster, or further development from pitchers Francis, Corpas, and Ramirez.

Even Renck said it on XM yesterday, this is a team labeled young that isn't that "young." Hopefully management understands this as the team heads into its arbitration years, and he prevents the blocking of younger, more talented players in the system.

As for the patience part, you haven't paid much attention to Hawpe's OBP, because it is one of the team's best. Sure he swings at bad pitches on occasion, like every player with a similar profile, but he does work counts and will take a free pass (second to Helton in OBP).

Holliday is more swing happy, but with his contact rates and power, it isn't as big a deal as it is made out to be. Holliday has proven to always hit around .300 or higher, with slugging numbers over .550, so the tradeoff is one that is more beneficial in the fourth spot in the order.

As for Torrealba and Barmes, they've never shown such an ability in their careers to take pitches, so why would they do so now? This isn't the type of skill that can just be corrected in an off-season, it's more of a tool that comes inherent in players.

So basically, patience is a thing that can only be minimally improve with these active players, but large strides will come from players on their way up the system or through off-season aquisitions.

by David "ohno" on Aug 10, 2006 10:48 PM MDT up reply actions

Your right

they aren't very young I guess I meant that they haven't peaked at their performance yet Atkins, Hawpe, and Holliday are going to increase their homerun totals for years to come.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 10:53 PM MDT up reply actions

Probably wrong again

As I stated, these guys are playing at ages that are determined peak years, and would go against most research in player growth to believe that any of these three will significantly increase their homer totals. Atkins has already surpassed most of the homer projections from such SABR analysis, and could in fact see some regression in his power.

Most likely, the players you see now in Atkins, Hawpe and Holliday, are the players you'll be seeing next year, and the year after...

by David "ohno" on Aug 10, 2006 10:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Sullivan

gets one with a nice one out double, but Piedra and Carroll both fail to come through, both striking out swinging...

If we lose this game, it will be because of miss opportunities

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:44 PM MDT reply actions

Piedra

after his last srikeout he is now a horrible horrible horrible 4-33 in pinch hit opportunities I hope that is enough to make O'Dowd decide that he sucks isn't helping the team and Spilborghs is red hot in AAA. Also did you see that horrible play he made in RF the other day that allowed another run to score.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 10:46 PM MDT reply actions

Tonight's Notes article at the official site

mentions the team is reviewing player down on the farm. Kaz, Rivera or Spilly.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 10:49 PM MDT up reply actions

I read that

Not sure I like Rivera. With the Rockies currently carrying eight relievers, it doesn't make much sense to have a PH specialist on the roster, since we all know he won't be taking time from Helton. A guy like Wilson makes more sense because he could put pressure on both Carroll and Barmes and could find his way into semi-regular action.

Matsui has been worthless in his time in the majors, and his numbers to date in the Springs aren't of the same caliber they were pre-injury, giving me less enthusiasm for his potential here.

Spilborghs, Wilson, Iannetta... those three should be the ones playing regularly/semi-regularly in Colorado right now.

Oh, and with King looking like old King, we may not be carrying eight relievers much longer...

by David "ohno" on Aug 10, 2006 10:54 PM MDT up reply actions

Rivera

I believe is top 5 in avg. in AAA, but as a first baseman he is blocked out by Helton so there is no reason to bring him up. Kaz and Spilly appear to be the top canidates for a call-up now, and maybe Rivera sees some time in the majors in September.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 10:57 PM MDT up reply actions

King

comes in and gives up the leading HR to Ethier....

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 10:50 PM MDT reply actions

Matchups

Hurdle tends to pay TOO much attention to matchups and should let whatever pitcher who is in and having success stay in Corpas has been untouchable since his debut homerun. Ther are games when he brings in 4-5 pitchers in one inning because he wants the matchup.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 11:01 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree

especially when Corpas's calling card is a mid 90's sinker, which seems to be the type of pitch that can retire any type of batter.

by David "ohno" on Aug 10, 2006 11:02 PM MDT up reply actions

King

was allowing a .267 average to lefties and .373 to righties he has come in to face one batter 19 times this season in 46 appearances.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 11:09 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm not a big fan of Hurdle, but...

I can't fault him too much here. King has been very good against lefties for his entire career--so its not a bad move to bring him in against lefties to get the one out. Actually, as long as Hurdle is restricted to using King against lefties and when the game is out of reach, it isn't a bad idea to keep him around. Having said that, if it had gone to extra innings Hurdle would have burned Corpas on a single batter and wouldn't have had him available later in the game.

by DenverBears on Aug 11, 2006 5:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Todd!

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 11:01 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks Repko!

Of and you too Todd, big hit!

by David "ohno" on Aug 10, 2006 11:01 PM MDT reply actions

Thank god that got away

so I didn't have to see the Rockies screw up Helton on third agian.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 11:02 PM MDT reply actions

Helton!

thanks Repko, and Kent!!....and of course Helton!...

I guess its good he scored, or we might have seen deja vu from the series against the Brewers, when Helton led off with a triple only to be stranded at third.

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 11:03 PM MDT reply actions

wording

i worded that wrong...of COURSE its good he scored, I just meant at least he got it out of the way, or as I and RFNY said, we would be seeing a repeat of Helton on third, nobody out.

by Rockiesbiggestfan on Aug 10, 2006 11:08 PM MDT up reply actions

I don't feel like falling asleep

on my laptop, so when I wake up I hope I see a Rockies victory on the scroll during Mike & Mike on the Deuce.

Russ

by Russ Oates on Aug 10, 2006 11:08 PM MDT reply actions

Why is Fuentes not in

to face Lofton? Is this one of those situations that a closer can't enter without a save on the line? Rediculous...

Oh, and now they lose, just terrible, all the wasted opportunities and mismanagement...

by David "ohno" on Aug 10, 2006 11:16 PM MDT reply actions

I...

look at what happened and it occurs to me that the Rockies might have lost becasue Hurdle brought in King which makes me think that Hurdle might be the Rockies problem, they aren't losing like the Cubs, but I think that they could be better if they had a manager that makes better desicions and puts in the better player not the one is 4-33 in pinch hits or the one who has become a nightmare for Rockies fans when he comes out of the bullpen. it isn't all Hurdle but I don't like some of his desicions he makes. All managers make mistakes, but I never find myself saying man Hurdle is such a genius when it comes to baseball.

Go Rockies

by Rox Rock on Aug 10, 2006 11:24 PM MDT reply actions

Two quick things:

Hurdle cost us this one tonight. And coming from a guy like me who has defended Hurdle relentlessly for his entire tenure, you know I mean it.
Go Seahawks.

Die-hard Rockies fan. On the bandwagon since 4/2/93. Not giving up my seat. EVER.

by Franchise26 on Aug 10, 2006 11:32 PM MDT reply actions