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Marlins 7, Rockies 6: The Beatings Will Continue Indefinitely

By Andrew T. Fisher
MIAMI, FL - MAY 22: Juan Nicasio #44 of the Colorado Rockies looks on before a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on May 22, 2012 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MAY 22: Juan Nicasio #44 of the Colorado Rockies looks on before a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on May 22, 2012 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Glenn/Getty Images)
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The Rockies have officially lost so many times this month, baseball is out of scripts. Last night, Colorado took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, only to see their starting pitcher cough up the lead in the 4th after starting strong. The offense went to sleep after the first and they lost 7-4.

Tuesday night, Colorado took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, only to see their starting pitcher cough up the lead in the 3rd after starting strong. The offense didn't live up to the early promise after the first and they lost 7-6.

Three soft liners from Jonathan Herrera, Jordan Pacheco and Michael Cuddyer fell for singles in that first frame, in addition to a RBI line drive single from Todd Helton got the Rockies two runs. Wilin Rosario hit a sacrifice fly to give Juan Nicasio a sufficiently comfortable lead to blow.

Nicasio struggled to his worst road start of the season, as he walked three and allowed 9 hits in just 5 innings.

15 - 27

14

Lost 1

121

23-19

58-104

18-24

As it seems to be more and more of late, the Rockies' loss was punctuated by another confusing managerial move by Jim Tracy. Down 7-5 in the 8th inning with two runners on and no outs, Tracy elected to use Jason Giambi to pinch hit for Dexter Fowler. This move was confusing for four reasons:

  1. Marco Scutaro had to replace Jonathan Herrera due to injury, Ramon Hernandez is nursing a sore thumb, and Tyler Colvin had already pinch hit, leaving essentially only Giambi and Eric Young Jr. left on the bench.
  2. There were no outs and the pitcher's spot was due up next. As long as Dexter Fowler didn't hit into a triple play, Giambi could pinch hit in the pitcher's spot no worse than the tying run.
  3. While Fowler was 0-for-3 on the night, he is hitting .364 with RISP and trails only Carlos Gonzalez in wRC+ this year.
  4. Due to burning two outfielders, Eric Young Jr. was forced to pinch hit following Giambi's swinging bunt. He struck out, then had to play center field.
That tactical goof didn't cost the Rockies the game by any means (though Giambi, Young and Scutaro went down in order without producing a run), but it certainly didn't help.

While we are on the familiar vein, Troy Tulowitzki popped up to shortstop with the tying runner on third and one out in the ninth. Of course he did.


WPA Heroes

Michael Cuddyer (+.358): 3-for-3, 2 2B, BB, RBI.
Jordan Pacheco (+.198): 2-for-5, 2B, R.
Wilin Rosario (+.065): 1-for-3, 2 RBI, K.

WPA Zeroes

Juan Nicasio (-.448): 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 6 K, 3 BB. (-.054): 0-for-2, 2K.
Eric Young Jr. (-.148): 0-for-1, PH K with tying run on second and one out in the 9th.
Troy Tulowitzki (-.145): 1-for-4, RBI, R, BB, popout with tying run on 3rd, 1 out in 9th (-.196 on that play alone).

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