Running Thoughts on Jimenez vs. Gallardo

1st Inning

• Rockies come out aggressive on the basepaths as Gonzalez is gunned down stealing. Probably would have preferred they allow Seth Smith's AB to play out there as he had a 3-1 count at the time, though he did strikeout.   
• On the defensive side, Tulowitzki gets one of his rare errors out of the way very early. You won't see but 3-4 more like that all season.

2nd Inning

• Brad Hawpe morphs into Dexter Fowler for a few seconds as he scores from second on a wild pitch.  The most exciting play in baseball aside from the inside-the-park homer.   
• Good lord can Ian Stewart rake.  
• The Rockies won't make many errors this season.  That the Brewers aren't capitalizing on the two early ones today is a fantastic break for the Rocks.
  

3nd Inning

• The Brewers are doing to Jimenez what I had hoped the Rockies would do to Gallardo.  Jimenez pitch count is rising quickly, and these are pressure packed pitches piling up before the third inning.  
• Also, thank God the Brewers have Jim Edmonds.  

4th Inning

• Rockies only plate one after an error and two Gallardo walks.  Better than nothing, and the pitch count for Gallardo passes 60.  
• Much needed 1-2-3 shutdown inning by Jimenez.  Defense found its groove with three nice plays.  

5th Inning

• Uh huh... like I said, Seth Smith will stink today.  What the hell was Tracy thinking?  
• Yes, I'm kidding.  
• Rockies keep tacking on one at a time.  Still lacking a big hit though that could really open things up.  4-0.  
• These Jimenez vs. Braun battles are classics.  Braun wins this one with an RBI double high off the wall.    

6th Inning

• I never have an elevated pulse with Jimenez on the mound.  First two reach, he finds a way to get out of there without any damage.  He's not always that lucky, but he knows how to limit the damage.  

7th Inning

• Seth Smith now 0-for-4 with 3 Ks and a GIDP.  Oops.
• Rockies did a fair job with Gallardo today.  Definitely could have knocked him out a couple innings sooner.  
• Belisle makes a HUGE 0-2 blunder to Carlos Gomez of all people, resulting a in a HR.  
• Flores is brought in to retire Prince Fielder or Jim Edmonds... he gets neither.
• Daley finally pitches out of the situation, leaving the bases loaded for Milwaukee.
• Hey, we just met half the Rockies bullpen!  Two long innings to go!  

8th Inning

• Most wasted opportunities.  Helton stranded at second after the lead double.  Not liking how this is shaping up.  

9th Inning

• Spilborghs with a HUGE insurance RBI double.  Heading to bottom nine with a 5-2 lead.  Franklin Morales into the fire on Opening Day.  Braun & Fielder due 3rd-4th.  Yikes.  
• Morales scares the living bejesus out of everyone, doesn't throw a particularly good pitch to anybody, yet walks away with the save.  Tulowitzki with a potential game-saving catch on Prince Fielder deflates the Brewers and ensures the 5-3.  
• More on this game in a little bit.