Despite starting pitcher Alex White allowing four runs and laboring through 78 pitches in just 2.2 innings, the Rockies very nearly rallied back from a 4-0 deficit in the ninth. However, just as the last season and a half would have it, the rally literally fell just a few feet short.
With the bases loaded following a Marco Scutaro RBI single, Carlos Gonzalez walloped a Joe Nathan offering to deep left-center field. Off the bat, it definitely looked like a grand slam was in the works, which would have given the Rox a 5-4 lead. However, the ball took a dive right into Josh Hamilton's a couple of feet below the top of the wall, and CarGo and the Rockies were left with the unsatisfying result of a sacrifice fly instead.
Still, trailing by just two with a couple of runners on with just one out and Jason Giambi at the plate, the Rockies had a chance to add on. However, Marco Scutaro was picked off by Mike Napoli and caught in a rundown in which he ultimately made it to second base safely. But, Scutaro apparently assumed he was out on the play, as he walked off the base before time was called, allowing Elvis Andrus to tag him out. Giambi ultimately struck out swinging, and that was that. Scutaro's baserunning gaffe was just the latest in a string of them from the veteran second baseman. Creating a winning clubhouse culture comes at a price, doesn't it? Just an absolute bone-headed maneuver by Scutaro, and one that will probably end up being lost in the shuffle of an already disappointing season.
Jeremy Guthrie and the Rockies bullpen deserve some props for their performance tonight, as Guthrie cleaned up White's mess by tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed three hits and walked a couple of batters, but he was able to stay composed (despite a bad throw on a pickoff attempt) and get a couple of key punchouts in addition to a big double play ball. Adam Ottavino and Matt Reynolds each worked a scoreless inning out of the 'pen as well, as that duo continues to be solid if not unspectacular.
Texas starter Matt Harrison earned his tenth win of the year despite exiting after the fifth inning with an apparent hip/back issue. He held the Rockies scoreless in his five innings of work, despite allowing a handful of baserunners.
The usual stuff after the jump...
Source: FanGraphs
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