Game wrap #73: Blue Jays 5, Rockies 2

This series had everything the Rockies can't do on the road. In the first game, the bats were silent. In the second game, we possibly saw the end of Jeff Francis' career as the game was over in the first inning due to the pitching, and in this last game of the series, it was the defense that decided to take a hiatus.

While Nolan Arenado still had a couple of solid plays, his fourth error of the year made Adam Lind's ninth home run of the year worth three runs instead of two in the first inning. Then, a fielding error in the fourth by D J LeMahieu kept the inning alive, and when the team couldn't turn a double play on the next batter, a run scored.

The Rockies had several hits, nine to the Blue Jays seven, but could not put them together to get a big inning. Carlos Gonzalez hit his 21st home run of the year, but it was with the bases empty. The Rockies had base runners in each of the first five innings, with multiple men on base in all but the fourth. However, the only time they were able to get a runner over and in was on a ground out by Tyler Colvin and a single by Yorvit Torrealba after Jordan Pacheco led off the second with a double.

Overall, Juan Nicasio pitched well, giving up two earned runs in five innings. Without the errors, he would have had the ability to go six, which the Rockies would be thrilled to get from him. The lineup was a bit odd tonight with only twelve position players and Dexter Fowler sitting as he's still feeling the effects of getting hit on the fingers last Thursday. Both catchers were in the lineup and Josh Rutledge, batting ninth, was followed by DJ LeMahieu, batting first. The catchers did well, but with the two young infielders struggling and Tyler Colvin not able to do anything against a lefty, the Rockies had too many holes in the lineup to make up for shoddy defense.

Tomorrow is Roy Oswalt day and the top three Rockies starters will follow him in the series against the Washington Nationals. A couple of wins are needed to turn this road trip around and keep the team in a very competitive NL West race.

Record: 37-36

Games Back: 2.5

Graph:

<iframe src="http://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2013-06-19&team=Blue Jays&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width = "450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2013-06-19&team=Blue Jays&dh=0&season=2013">FanGraphs</a></span>

Row Call:

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