Rocktaugust!TM
Just joking. But, in all seriousness, this month - as of late, especially - is playing out wonderfully so far. Troy Tulowitzki's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the tenth inning gave the Rockies their second straight walk-off victory - the first time the Rox have done that since May 32nd-33rd, 1946 (not really, but I'm sure we'll hear the real figure 134324323482 times over the next few hours). The cardiac kids in purple pinstripes fought hard throughout the game and despite blowing a two run lead in the top of the ninth, they held it together well and came out with a HUGE W.
The game looked bleak at the beginning, as Jason Hammel allowed a run scoring single off the bat of Andre Ethier in the first inning and a solo home run to Casey Blake in the fourth. However, the Rox, after going hitless the first time through the lineup, broke through in the bottom half of that inning as Todd Helton doubled and Brad Hawpe followed that up with his 17th home run of the season - left-on-left off of Clayton Kershaw - and tied the game in the process.
The two teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, when Clint Barmes deposited a Ronald Bellisario offering into the left field bleachers, his 21st of the year, putting the Rockies up 3-2. In the bottom half of the next inning, Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-out double that plated Ryan Spilborghs and although Helton was thrown out at the plate, the Rox picked up what proved to be a big time insurance run.
With Huston Street unavailable (he pitched in six of the last seven days), Jim Tracy called on Rafael Betancourt to get the final three outs. However, Juan Pierre hit a leadoff single, and Rafael Furcal followed with a double. After a Matt Kemp sacrifice fly, the lead was cut to one. Joe Beimel came on and struck out Andre Ethier, but was questionably pulled in favor of Matt Daley, who threw a whole bunch of pitches in last night's victory over the Giants. After getting ahead 0-2 on Manny Ramirez, Daley kept throwing fastballs and after Manny fouled one off, he laced a single to right field to tie up the game.
Matt Herges came in and pitched a wonderful tenth inning, and earned the victory after the Rox loaded the bases on an Ian Stewart walk, a Carlos Gonzalez bunt single, and an intentional walk to Todd Helton. Tulo's gapper ensured the celebration took place at second base, which didn't prevent the umpires from getting off the field this time - always a positive.
Huge props to Jason Hammel, who rebounded very well from a shaky start and finished with 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, and 4 K's. Also, credit Franklin Morales, who threw an impressive eighth inning. Offensively, the Rox were paced by Tulo's two hits and two runs batted in. Also of note, Eric Young Jr. collected his first major league hit in the fifth inning with a single off of Kershaw.
Check out the WPA graph, RowCall, and tomorrow's starters after the jump.
RowCall: butterfly, dds_dave, The Lodo Magic Man, SDcat09, TuLoRocks2008, brian8065, realmenwearpurple, Rox Girl, RockiesMagicNumber, Foxhole Atheist, prettyinpurple, BlakeBomber, free7694, Teekalong, Tripon, Jabberwocky, ddavis539, MohrPlease, ShadowPenguin, sparksjessed, Mondogarage, holly96, Chrysicat, KindredSprites, GreeleyRoxFan, FooMan, Poseidon's Fist, pyrojoe, GoRockies!!, Kumar_98, theoldgrizzlybear, amoeba, Narcoleptico, Cargo's Ball Sack5, Rawktober, CombatChuk, BillyRay, WolfMarauder, rockies17_4, arpagamos, Russ, jcn7vc, SimchaWard, Junction Rox, TomCat009, nodakroxfan, fatheadX, coolopotamous, Chupathingy, RockiesDave, podtosociety, Radjoshcon, ALrockies, Roberbola, SpringStein, fantasyfencing, befizzle, Mr. Rockie, avsrock90, indianrox, moose14, PosterNutbag, bballrox4717, djmbluemoon, DieHardRox, mkorpal, BittenAnkles, Charlie77, TripleT-Rox, purplesocks, RdRnnr, alex colfax, Rebel14, wolf213, nkrause, alacy9513, dogs, Kmann, 5280reasons, Rock Oax, WalkInRight, RoxnSox09
Total Users: 82
Total Posts: 2219
Total Threads: 3
Tomorrow: Randy Wolf (8-6) vs. Josh Fogg (0-1)...same time, same place. GO ROCKIES!