Rockies 5, Astros 1
No mystery tonight...
Winning Player: Jason Hammel
I said something to this effect recently.
When Jason Hammel starts avoiding the disaster inning, he'll turn into one damn solid starter in a big league rotation.
Seems Hammel has gotten, or is in the process of getting over that hump. A good indication of that was tonight's second inning. The first two batters reached on infield singles. If anything is a recipe for disaster, it's making two solid pitches, forcing two weak swings, and getting no outs to show for it.
That didn't happen tonight. Hammel got the 6-3 double play off the bat of Tommy Manzella, then struck out the pitcher to end the threat. Hammel did a pretty good job of limiting his traffic from that point on, but the real key to his success was that great pitch when the situation called for a great pitch. A hit allowed there and who knows which direction this game goes in.
Heaven & Helton
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Monday, June 7, 2010
Lineup Card Rockies vs Astros 6-7-10
No cakewalks. Houston is currently playing its best baseball of the season having won 5 of 6.
Rockies Lineup (29-27)
Rockies Lineup (29-27)
- CF Gonzalez
- LF Spilborghs
- SS Tulowitzki
- RF Hawpe
- C Olivo
- 1B Helton
- 3B Mora
- 2B Barmes
- P Hammel
- CF Bourn
- 2B Keppinger
- 1B Berkman
- LF Lee
- RF Pence
- 3B Feliz (Rockie killer)
- C Quintero
- SS Manzella
- P Rodriguez
Pitch Count Concerns
Interesting question posed to me by David Martin from Rockies Review and Bleacher Report. If for some reason you're not familiar with David, he's a fantastic writer and a passionate Rockies fan. Check out his work.
I figured it would be easier to answer David's question with another quick post rather than a comment because it's a question many Rockies fans and baseball fans alike are pondering in regards to Ubaldo's pitch counts in 2010.
My Opinion
It's definitely a concern. It's a concern because Jim Tracy has shown a tendency to squeeze Jimenez until gets the last drop out of him. That's a dangerous road to travel. Knowing what I think I know about Jim, it's a road he'll continue on until it hits a dead end.
I don't fault Tracy for having that much confidence in Jimenez, but that's not what this is about. We all have confidence in Ubaldo. This is about knowing a manager can give his team the best chance to win a given game, while also protecting a gifted right arm and giving his team its best chance to win 2-3 months down the road.
I figured it would be easier to answer David's question with another quick post rather than a comment because it's a question many Rockies fans and baseball fans alike are pondering in regards to Ubaldo's pitch counts in 2010.
My Opinion
It's definitely a concern. It's a concern because Jim Tracy has shown a tendency to squeeze Jimenez until gets the last drop out of him. That's a dangerous road to travel. Knowing what I think I know about Jim, it's a road he'll continue on until it hits a dead end.
I don't fault Tracy for having that much confidence in Jimenez, but that's not what this is about. We all have confidence in Ubaldo. This is about knowing a manager can give his team the best chance to win a given game, while also protecting a gifted right arm and giving his team its best chance to win 2-3 months down the road.