After last night, the Rockies needed to bust out early against Paul Maholm. That way, rookie Esmil Rogers could relax with a sizable lead, allowing him to go deep into the game to save a tired bullpen. Just as their offense did in the 9th and 10th innings last night, the Rockies came through with exactly what they needed.
It is days like this that make you wonder how this team has found a way to lose consistently
Carlos Gonzalez hit a two-run home run in the first inning as the line-up worked Maholm for 32 pitches in the opening frame. Four runs crossed the plate in the second inning on an RBI single from Dexter Fowler and consecutive run scoring doubles from Clint Barmes, Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. All four hits came with two outs.
Esmil Rogers, originally signed as a shortstop, drove in a run with a double in the third and later scored. He would add a double in the seventh, part of an excellent offensive day. He put down a sacrifice bunt to lead to the team's third run and was robbed on a line drive up the middle by second baseman Neil Walker.
Rogers himself was shaky but efficient enough in six innings of work. He struck out three and allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits. He had difficulty holding runners on base, as evidenced by an easy stolen base from Daniel McCutchen. That is not enough to convince the Purple Brass to keep him in the rotation over Aaron Cook, but it was good enough on this day.
- After scoring just one run Thursday on Reverse Coors Effect Day, the Rockies scored 21 runs in the next three road games, never fewer than 6 in any game.
- Clint Barmes has 19 doubles. Carlos Gonzalez stole his 18th base. Both events have occurred more often a CarGo double. He hit his 17th today.
- From Tracy Ringolsby: Dexter Fowler now hitting .571 in career agasint Paul Maholm, and Clint Bamres is 12-for-21 with nine RBI.
- Troy Tulowitzki has 19 hits and 12 RBI in the 12 games since returning from the disabled list. That has raised his average from .306 to .322.
- Carlos Gonzalez fell a triple shy of the cycle when he singled in the eighth inning. It was his 7th career 4-hit game, his 6th this season.
- Six of the Rockies' eight runs scored on 2-out hits.
- Rafael Betancourt retired the Pirates in order in the bottom of the ninth. It was the onlt 1-2-3 inning for either team all day.
WPA Heroes:
Carlos Gonzalez (+.233): 4-for-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R.
Dexter Fowler (+.128): 2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 2 R.
Esmil Rogers (+.115): 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 R, 8 H, 3 K, 1 BB (+.054). 2-for-3, 2 2B, RBI, R, Sac bunt.
WPA Zeroes:
Chris Iannetta (-.049): 0-for-5, K.
Ian Stewart (-.025): 1-for-5, K, R.
Melvin Mora (-.021): 0-for-4, BB, 2 K.
Roll Call:
pedalpusher, The Lodo Magic Man, TuLoRocks2008, Andrew T. Fisher, GoRockies!!, Chrysicat, SDcat09, Oldfoagie, squalene203, WalkInRight, glaucophane, Neclord56, Roxman, jasontheuncatchable, WolfMarauder, Junction Rox, biondino, RhodeIslandRoxfan, Duncan1800, ClydePaints, Hollidayrain, WanderingRoxFan, DeepPurple, trekinaz, amoeba, jpage78, Muzia, BroJB, Andrew Martin, holly96, Colsportsfan, coolopotamus, SpaceFlare, BittenAnkles, TehChamp, patnkeren, lizardlad01
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