Rock Solid Recrap: Pummel Barmes Night

Astros 7, Rockies 3

Sorry, I can't beat up Clint Barmes as easily as other folks. (link)

Yes, I'm just as frustrated as anyone by his inconsistent defense and overall bleh offense.

Yes, he's the obvious target tonight. He made an error that was awful and set off the Astros four run 8th inning.

But come on, what other options do the Rockies have at second base? Barmes should continue to play until Young is healthy. At that point, yes, I'm all for a reevaluation of the situation if needed. But I'm not ready to move someone out of a position when he's the obivous best choice.

And I will point out I was very much in favor of signing Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez in the offseason.  I'm not an all out Barmes guy, I just think he's the guy you have to stick with given the circumstances.

Also, one one-base error with two outs and nobody on base can't lead to four runs. I'm sorry, it just can't.

I like Rogers. I know he's just 22. I know he has great stuff. The inning should have been over, I get that. But sometimes in baseball the pitcher has to pick up the defense.  This is definitely one of those situations.

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Lineup Card: Game 1 @ Houston

Rockies Lineup

• LF Gonzalez
• CF Fowler
• RF Hawpe
• SS Tulowitzki
• 1B Helton
• C  Olivo
• 3B Mora
• 2B Barmes
• P   Smith

Right after his awkward slide last night I thought for sure Miguel Olivo would have a concussion or a sprained neck or something DLable.  That's just the Rockies luck these days.  Good to see him bounce right back.  Now... let us learn to slide first feet from now... deal?   That doesn't just go for Olivo.  

Question: Wasn't the Rockies best lineup this season when CarGo was hitting fifth?  

Fowler finally cracks the lineup again.  Ian Stewart needed a day off as bad as anyone in baseball.  Melvin Mora, who is a good third baseman, gets a start there.

Astros Lineup

• CF Bourn
• 2B Keppinger
• 1B Berkman
• LF Lee
• RF Pence
• 3B Feliz
• SS Manzella
• C  Cash
• P   Paulino

Paulino is 0-6 with a 5.72 ERA.  If the Rockies do not kill this guy then we have good reason to be very concerned.   The key for Greg Smith will be to keep Michael Bourn and Jeff Keppinger off base ahead of the "Big 4".  I include Feliz because of his history hitting 3-run HRs against Colorado.

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First Quarter Report Card: Offense & Defense

For the next couple of days I will be grading the Rockies performance in several categories over the course of the first 40 or so games.

We begin with the offense and defense.

Offense -- Grade D+

Trying to not overact to the recent struggles.  There have been some positive moments, but overall this offense is very disappointing in 2010.  All this versatility and talent, and they have yet to truly find any sort of groove -- pun partially intended -- or any kind of consistency.

The lack of power from Helton and Tulowitzki has been quite troubling.  The lack of timely hits and productive outs are what stands out to me though.  Just far too many wasted opportunties and empty plate appearances that could have truly turned a baseball game in the Rockies favor.

This isn't a new thing though, which actually scares me a lot.  The offense did the same thing pretty much all through the final porition of 2010, but were somehow able to win games with pitching and defense.  That is not happening enough in 2010.  The offense has to improve very quickly.

Because.

Defense -- Grade C

They aren't the Bad News Bears out there... or even the Milwaukee Brewers, but this team is capable of much better glove work.  Their grade should consistently grade as a low A or high B.

It comes across at times like they're lazy or unprepared.  I don't believe lazy to be true.  Sometimes I question their preparedness.  A lot of that goes on Jim Tracy for putting guys at positions they aren't accustomed to playing.

There's far too much sloppiness and failure to execute an entire play going on.

• Throwing to the wrong base.  
• Sloppy throws to first. 
• Poor footwork.
• Inability to complete double plays.  

You can't underestimate how important each misstep is.  Every out you fail to secure extends an inning and a pitch count.  It changes matchups later in the game.  It can literally change the entire complexion with of the game even when it doesn't directly impact the score.

To be honest, when you look at the grades so far, it's a minor miracle this team in only one game under.