Of course I'm not going anywhere, but the Rockies 2010 playoffs hopes were officially put to bed on Tuesday night.
I've already said plenty about what I believe got to the Rockies to this point, so I'll spare you another rant by taking a quick look at tonight's proceedings before slipping into a temporary baseball depression.
I told you we'd see a lot of Jim Tracy and Joe Torre tonight.
This could very well prove to be the final Jeff Francis start at Coors Field as a member of the Rockies. If so, he'll be leaving Coors with an awful taste in his mouth.
Regardless of what happens (I have no idea how it will play out), Jeff has been through the ups and downs with us over the past few years, and he has earned my respect. He suffered through a couple of those leaner years. He was the starting pitcher in the Rockies first World Series game. Then the injuries overwhelmed him and left him a shell of the reliable starter he once was.
He was never a true ace type, but Jeff Francis at his peak behind Ubaldo Jimeenz and Jhoulys Chacin would have made the Rockies a really damn tough team to beat. It would be a pipe dream to hope he could be that guy again. It may even be far-fetched to say he'll register a 20+ start season again in his career.
I wish him all the best in whatever happens. If he's back as a low-risk, high-reward guy next spring, I'll be pulling like hell for him to be healthy and be effective.
Tonight was a good night for Esmil Rogers (4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K) as he looks to regain some lost confidence. Of course it would have been impossible to not take a step forward after his last two outings. But still, you take the good with the bad with a young, developing arm. Rogers will be a wild card heading into 2011.
Huston Street has been throwing with side pain. I guess that explains why we didn't see him in some situations that made sense for him.
Chris Nelson's started quickly with a double, run and a fancy play at 2B. The rest of his evening was very quiet. We're all curious to see what he can offer over these last five games, but I hope he doesn't end up putting too much pressure on himself.
Good night at the plate for Dexter Fowler. A mere double shy of the cycle.
Carlos Gonzalez, Todd Helton and Melvin Mora each contributed a pair of knocks. No surprises there.
Tomorrow
Jhoulys Chacin vs Clayton Kershaw
The final home game of the season and the final start for Chacin. I couldn't thing of a worse way to end the home schedule than being swept by LA. That's a hideous thought. Please don't let that happen!
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