Questions fly after Rockies sign Michael Cuddyer

Did the Rockies overpay?

Did the Rockies sign the right guy?

How much can he actually help?

Will he make enough of an impact to make it worthwhile?

All questions being asked by Rockies fans on Friday after they signed Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million contract.

Honestly, all questions Rockies fans would have been asking regardless of who Dan O'Dowd had signed with the available money.

Fact is, every free agent signing is a gamble to some degree with the absurd salaries these players are earning. Each of them have their upside. Each of them have their downside. And believe me, we know that downside better than anyone after the disasters of Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle a decade ago.

Even though a lot of you are saying you would have spent the money a different way, you would have questioned that move just the same had it happened. And that's OK. It's a natural reaction. It's tough to get away from those bad memories, or how far it set the Rockies back. But we have to. And we have to give O'Dowd a chance to do his job.

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Rockies Winter Meeting Review

The 2011 Winter Meetings are behind us now, and while the Colorado Rockies did not add a large piece to their damaged puzzle, they did subtract two of their least popular players while adding some depth and freeing up enough cash to make themselves a player for Michael Cuddyer or a key starting pitcher.

Here's a quick review.

Monday

-- Claimed Jamie Hoffman off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers

Hoffman is your typical AAAA player. He's a pretty good defender from all accounts, but at age 27 has yet to take a step forward offensively. He'll compete for a bench job in spring training. His odds of making (in the Ryan Spilborghs role) will depend on who else the Rockies add in the coming weeks.

Tuesday

-- Acquired RHP Kevin Slowey from Minnesota Twins for minor league pitcher Daniel Turpen

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Townie's Take: Eric Young Jr. and the trade of Chris Iannetta

-- Should I apologize for my sorta harsh words about Eric Young Jr. and his odd dismissal from his Venezualan League team?

Young issued a statement over the weekend explaining that his team failed to provide a family member that flew in on Thanksigiving Day the proper transportation from the airport. Young then took matters into his owns hands, citing safety concerns after the kidnapping of Wilson Ramos, and drove to the airport himself. Of course the flight of his family member was delayed, which forced Young to miss the first four innings of the that day's scheduled game.

Strange story. I was admittedly too quick to pass judgment, but the whole thing still feels kinda weird. Not that I don't believe Young or all of the circumstances he explained, but seriously, what the hell? And what about an explanation for the other alleged late arrival to the ballpark?

Anyway, I apologize for not waiting for Young to explain himself and for calling his actions embarrassing. That's probably not true. However, I do not apologize for saying he was at least partially fired for being bad at baseball or that I'm not all that interested in watching him play for the Rockies again next season.

Sorry. Not sorry.

-- Fallout from the trade of Chris Iannetta.

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Thoughts on Eric Young Jr.

According to Rafael Rojas, the terrific baseball reporter representing Viva Colorado, Eric Young Jr. was fired by Bravos de Margarita of the Venezuelan League on Friday for a combination of being bad at baseball, but more embarrassing than that, showing up to the ballpark late on more than one occasion.

Congratulations, Jr., you've managed to embarrass yourself, the Colorado Rockies, and I'm sure Eric Young Sr. is real proud at this moment, too.

I'm not going to go on and on and about Young's situation. It pretty much speaks for itself, and it pretty much speaks to the current state of the Rockies. Too many players in the mix that are going nowhere in their careers. Too many players not serious enough about their job, or willing to put in the correct effort to seize their opportunity. A distinct lack of discipline... probably because the people in charge aren't holding enough people accountable.

Bottom line: A lot of kids not ready to grow up or accept the responsibility that goes along with playing at the big league level. The sooner the Rockies cut bait with these guys, and hopefully replace them with grown ups, the better off they will be.

Sadly, it's too late to trade Young for anything meaningful at this point. But I don't think it's too early to speculate he won't be on the Rockies opening day roster. Nor should he be.

Please try to enjoy the offseason

I know, it's not always easy and sometimes it's not even possible, but people just get so worked up over every little detail or rumor throughout the hot stove season. And that's a problem, because there are dozens of those coming out every day.

The Rockies are going to be linked to a lot of players. Heck, at one time or another they will likely be mentioned as interested in every single free agent or trade candidate that has a pulse and sound ligaments that isn't in the upper echelon of talent. I know, we want that upper echelon talent coming to Colorado, but spending tons of money on one or two players would do little to help this team anyway.

Then again, spreading the money around to a lot of high-risk/low reward talent won't either. But just because they're linked to a Grady Sizemore or once again to a Jeff Francis, doesn't mean they necessarily sign that player or even really want that player. They just have to cover their bases in case plans don't work.

If Plan A doesn't work, you can't just call Plan B the next day and say hey we're interested now. You have to show interest, establish communication and give yourself options. That goes right on down the line to Plan Z. A lot of those guys know they aren't any teams first option, but that doesn't mean you can ignore them until you reach your desperation point.

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World Champion Cardinals everything the Rockies are not

When the Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals arrived to their respective spring training facilities back in mid-February, there was nothing you could have said that would have convinced me St. Louis had the better baseball team. 

Nothing. 

And that was before Adam Wainwright went down for the season.

I would have told you the Cardinals were a solid team with a chance to maybe reach the higher 80s in wins, which would position them to contend in the NL Central. I also would have told you the Rockies looked like a 92-93 win team with Ubaldo Jimenez established, Jorge De La Rosa back, and a lot of really nice pieces in place offensively.

Didn't work out that way. Which is strange, because both teams faced similar challenges with injuries, players not performing up to standard, stretches of poor bullpen work, more injuries, desperate searches for band-aids. Basically, both teams took a step backwards on several levels from where they were to begin the season.

Yet the Cardinals are celebrating their 11th world championship, and the Rockies are coming off their most disappointing season to date.

How the hell did the Cardinals overcome all of that, while the Rockies collapsed underneath it?

Well, to me it boils down to three things.

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My now annual Tim Tebow post

Yes, this is a baseball blog... 99.7% of the time. It's also just my blog, so every now and then I like posting about something else. You'll surely understand.

Before I get into Tim Tebow, I think it's always important I point out that I'm in no way a Denver Broncos fan despite my love for the Colorado Rockies. I'm not from Denver myself, I have no emotional connection to other Colorado sports teams, I just had an uncle in the Denver area at the time the Rockies were born that thought it would be cool to send me Rockies gear for my 10th birthday. I thought it was awesome. I loved baseball, but had no loyalty to the Cubs, White Sox, whoever. So I adopted them in 1991, two years before they ever stepped on a big league field.

Anyway, there's that. Now on to this Tebow character.

You think you can get a word in edge wise on Twitter when the Denver Broncos are playing?

Hell no!

Wait, sorry Tim.

Heck no!

My timeline just explodes with positive and negative thoughts on Tebow's performance and his future in the NFL. And that's before he takes the field. When he's actually out there running around, tossing a football, the Tebow spin becomes so relentlessly over-the-top in both directions that I don't think it leaves room for an unbiased opinion.

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Rock Solid Recap: Rockies finish strong, win third in last 14

It doesn't matter how awful, disappointing or discouraging a season has been, it's always nice to win games. That's especially true on the final day of the season... against the team you dislike the most.

Rockies 6, Giants 3 (boxscore)

So what if the Giants won the six matchups before the last one? Big deal! We got the last one! And really, so what if the Rockies won 3 of their last 14? They still take more momentum into this offseason than last year!

Anyway, pointless bragging aside, it sure was nice watching Drew Pomeranz finish his season strongly.

His line: 5 2/3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR, 72 pitches (49 strikes)

The three earned runs easily could have been one, but Matt Lindstrom allowed two of his inherited runners to score. But the big numbers to look at once again are the 0 walks and the 0 home runs. It's not impossible, but it's MUCH more difficult for any opposing offense to beat you with 0's in both of those columns.

Right now, I'll project Pomernanz as at worst the Rockies #3 starter to start 2012, depending on who they add, but could work his way to #1 very quickly. He's a really special talent. He seems to have a head on his shoulders. That really showed in how well he bounced back from the ugly outing in Houston.

Well done, Drew.

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Lackluster Recrap: If it's broke, why fix it?

Isn't that the saying? Or did Jim Tracy get it all ass backwards again by not firing a single member of his coaching staff in response to the most disappointing season in Rockies history?

Yes, you heard me, given a reprieve by Dan O'Dowd and the sole power to retool his coaching staff, Tracy elected to fire no one. In other words, the Titanic already hit the iceberg, and now he's not letting anyone leave. You're all going down with him.

Overall, this is a pretty embarrassing and discouraging piece of news. No one is being held accountable for again, the most disappointing season in Rockies history, but not only that -- this team is fundamentally pathetic, players are out of position all the time, players are regressing, pitchers are regressing, others aren't developing.

It's a cesspool, and there's no leadership in the organization beginning at the top with ownership, continuing down through front office, coaches, players and beyond. This decision just reaffirms that, and it guarantees nothing will be different next season either. Seriously, if you have expectations at all for next season, can them. Make them prove it first, and then make them continue to prove it.

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Lackluster Recrap: Chacin shines again in another undeserved loss

Giants 3, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

Ubaldo Jimenez could have been a 23-24 game winner in 2010 with a little help from his friends.

I don't know how many more wins Jhoulys Chacin could have realistically had in 2011 with a little help from his friends, but I assure you he doesn't deserve 14 losses. Sure, he's had his games that disappointed me and discouraged me, but not that many. Not nearly that many.

Disclaimer: I know, I know. Wins and losses aren't the end all be all for determining a starting pitcher's success. What I wrote above lends further evidence to that. But you can't discard what goes on a player's record. Until they stop keeping track, it's fine to be annoyed when a pitcher's record doesn't look as pretty as it should.

Anyway, Chacin was really good on this particular night.

His line: 7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Not at all discouraged by the lower strikeout total, but definitely encouraged by only one walk. Save the strikeouts for when you really need them, but consistently throwing more strikes early in counts to get quicker outs is exactly what Chacin needs to do to get on those higher levels that await him.

Of course one of those next levels would be throwing 200 innings on a yearly basis. He ended up at 194 this season. Just think of where that number could go with even a little bit more efficiency.

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Rock Solid Recap: Rockies use the force to crush Astros

Rockies 19, Astros 3 (boxscore)

Remember when we made fun of the Rockies on Sundays?

Not this time.

As @Rockieswoman1 pointed in her postgame game, the Rockies outscored the Tennessee Titans, Denver Bronces, as well 16 other NFL teams on Sunday. SIXTEEN. 1-6.

This after scoring a grand total of... wait for it....19 on their entire final seven-game home stand. This team. Seriously. I don't even know what to tell you, so I'll just give you two basic pieces of information.

1. The Rockies 19 runs were a season high. Duh!
2. The 25 hits were a franchise record.

Who got those hits? I'll break those down into clubs.

4-Hit Club

• Jordan Pacheco 
• Ty Wigginton 
• Tommy Field (3 RBI, walk)

3-Hit Club

• Mark Ellis 
• Seth Smith (2 walks) 
• Kevin Kouzmanoff (2 homeruns, 5 RBI)

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Rock Solid RECAP: Don't call it a turnaround!

No, really, don't call it that. 

Rockies 4, Astros 2 (13) (boxscore)

But do call it a victory!

Wait, that's what it's called when you score more than your opponent, right?

Or a win. That's fine.

Here's what you need to know about how the Rockies snapped their embarrassing nine-game losing streak.

-- Jason Hammel pitched VERY well in his return to the rotation. 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. That's encouraging for a couple reasons.

#1 - There's a really good chance we're going to need him in that rotation to start next season. Unless the Rockies sign or trade for a couple starters, or Jorge De La Rosa and Juan Nicasio not only recover ahead of schedule, but also prove themselves to be effective, Hammel will have to start games in April.

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Lackluster Recrap: Sucking at baseball is contagious

My God. The Rockies pathetic play has infected Drew Pomeranz. We need to get him as far away from this current team as we can, as we quickly as we can, or we may risk ruining his pitching future.

I may or may not be joking.

Astros 11, Rockies 2 (boxscore) 

Whatever the cause, this was definitely a rough night at the office for young Drew Pomeranz, which wouldn't be overly concerning under normal circumstances -- you can't expect a pitcher to come out and be brilliant his first three starts -- but since it came against the lowly Houston Astros, some discouragement is acceptable.

Just keep it small.

Real small.

Here's a quick recap: Houston ambushed Drew in the first, beginning their attack with six straight hits -- three singles, three doubles -- and five runs. Pomernanz then settled in to record three straight outs -- a Clint Barmes fly out, followed by two strikeouts.

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Lackluster Recrap: Lather. Rinse. Continue sucking.

This team would be killing my desire to write about baseball if I didn't know I'd be writing about playoff games starting in about eight days. Seriously, coming up with something to say is impossible when you go 0-7 in your final home stand, get shutout in your home finale, and then lose to the Houston freaking Astros.

Are they seriously not going to win another game? Is that what we're faced with here? They're going to somehow top last year's 1-13 finish? I don't know what the answer will be, but if the Rockies can't win Drew Pomeranz's start on Friday night, I'm going to assume that's how it'll go.

Astros 9, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

There's nothing really to evaluate at this point with Alex White. Either he's not totally healthy, or he's nowhere close to being major league ready. My guess is still the finger isn't right, but whatever the case, his performance next spring training is what really matters. He'll have to do well there to calm everybody down and win his spot on the team. Whatever happened in these start won't factor in at all.

-- Wilin Rosario continues to slug the ball very well, but clearly has to work on his discipline at the plate. That's fine. It'll be a constant adjustment for him, as it is for all young players. But not all young players have his pop, which makes me smile. He is the future. Embrace it.

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Thank you Aaron Cook

I really wanted to write a really long, positive piece today to wrap up the Rockies home schedule. But then the team goes ahead and gets themselves shutout by Anthony Bass and five San Diego Padres relievers. That doesn't exactly inspire me to be positive, but I'll try to say nice things anyway.

Padres 4, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

Thank you Aaron Cook.

I wouldn't say you necessarily went out on a high note, but you went out on an appropriate note. Much like most of your Rockies career, you weren't dominant or overpowering, but you found a way to collect yourself and did a good job keeping the team in the game. You really did. And that's always impressed me about you.

Now done addressing Aaron Cook personally.

Say what you will about Cook's performance this season, I promise you he has more guts than anyone on this team save for Juan Nicasio. To come back from the blood clots in the lungs to become the Rockies all-time winniest pitcher. To come back from the broken leg, the broken finger, it's all very impressive. Because of that, I will never say negatively about Aaron Cook the person.

Yes, it's time to part ways with Aaron Cook the pitcher, but I'm sure there will come times when I miss both the person and the pitcher. The Rockies will miss both too. We need more guys with makeup and toughness. There's no question about that.

And I even admire Aaron Cook enough to not label this a Recrap.

-- I found it interesting that Jim Tracy unleashed the following diatribe on his offense before today's game.

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Lackluster Recrap: Rockies celebrate Tracy's return with another dud

Did you hear? Jim Tracy's coming back next season! And he gets to pick his coaching staff! Weeeeeeeee!

Fake excitement aside, that's actually really good news compared to what many expected to be the announcement of a contract extension. It doesn't make me optimistic for 2012, but at least I don't have to be pessimistic beyond 2012 since I really doubt he'll do anything next season to warrant that extension.

Small, painful victories.

Padres 2, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

Just no victories on the field.

I guess I should officially retire the Recap this season? Can I please do one more, just to make sure I don't get rusty heading into the offseason? Is that too much to ask?

-- Seattle Mariners rookie Mike Carp had five hits tonight. The Rockies had five hits in the first 17 innings of this series. Then they had three in the ninth inning, scored a run, and still lost.

Go offense!

-- Troy Tulowitzki made his return to game action, striking out as a pinch-hitter with first and third in the 8th inning. When Tulo made his walk to the plate, that was the first time Coors Field had a pulse during this home stand. Sad, but not unexpected.

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Lackluster Recrap: Yay for not being no-hit!

Or as @edwscott responded on Twitter, maybe they wanted to be no-ht but couldn't do that right either. It seems plausible. 

I'll say this -- the Rockies may have only had one hit against Cory Luebke and Ernesto Frieri (Yes, those are real people, and real major league pitchers. Hell, I even started Luebke in two fantasy leagues.), but they got a 200% return on that one hit -- a two-run home run by Mark Ellis.

On the negative side, Luebke had two hits himself. And San Diego had eight runs. We lose. Again.

Padres 8, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

It was probably good that Kevin Millwood threw a clunker out there to remind people like me who are clamoring to re-sign him that he's still old, and he's only had one really quality season (2009) since 2006. Thanks, Kevin. My optimism has been adjusted.

Back to the positive side: The bullpen -- Jim Miller, Edgmer Escalona & Josh Roenicke -- did a fantastic job, holding San Diego to one run over the final 5 2/3. At least those guys are trying to make a name for themselves.

Drew Goodman: 8-time Colorado Sportscaster of the Year, and currently the Rockies best fielder...

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Lackluster Recrap: Only nine Recraps to go

You thought the final two weeks of 2010 were painful? What we're witnessing right now is actually worse. This is the most embarrassing, unwatchable brand of baseball I've witnessed in 20 years.

Yes, even those teams from 1999-2006 were easier to watch, mainly because those teams had no expectations going in. To see how much this current Rockies team has detriorated, even before the injuries, is just depressing.

If there was crying in baseball, I might be depressed enough to cry. I don't think there's any law against puking, so I'll go ahead and do that.

Giants 12, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

Just when it looked like Esmil Rogers might be taking small steps forward, he runs into his old nemasis from San Francisco and promptly wets the bed.

His line: 3 2/3 IP, 7 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 4 HR

That's about an ugly as a starting pitcher's line can get. And that's before taking into consideration that one of the home runs he allowed was hit by Matt Cain.

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Lackluster Recrap: This Pomeranz looks like a nice little lefty

Start No. 1 for Drew Pomeranz was pretty damn impressive.

Start No. 2 fell right in line with the first, which is a very encouraging sign from a young pitcher. A little consistency is always welcomed.

Here's what I like about him: He's in command. He's not intimidated. He remains poised in the face of baserunners and small strike zones. He's always on the attack. His stuff is good. His confidence is better. Without being overly clichey, he just looks the part of a big league pitcher.

We need more guys that look the part of a big league pitcher. Because if they look like it, it means they believe it. When they believe it, everyone who sees them believes it. We need a guy people not only in Colorado, but all around baseball believe in, respect, and hopefully somewhere down the line even begin to fear.

Pomeranz's line: 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Giants 6, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

Pomeranz hit his pitch count in the 6th with a runner on first. Tracy made the move to Matt Belisle, who allowed the run to score on a two-out double. I'm 98% certain that run doesn't score in Pomeranz stays in.

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Lackluster Recrap: Extended spring training continues

I don't even know how to evaluate this one. Alex White's finger probably isn't 100% healthy. Aaron Cook is dunzo. The top three hitters might be shut down for the season. The rest of the lineup is basically the lesser half of a spring training split squad just hoping to impress someone in the front office.

This is really sh*tty baseball.

This is Colorado Rockies baseball. 2011 style.

Giants 9, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

If forced to point out one thing I enjoyed about this game, it would probably be the fact that Greg Reynolds finally got a haircut.

Seriously. Nothing annoys me more than a guy out there who's done nothing substantial in his career, stroking his hair and trying to be pretty for the cameras. Hell, it even bothers me when Tim Lincecum does it, and he's got two Cy Young's to his name.

And hey, wouldn't you know Reynolds actually tossed a scoreless inning. Maybe letting his brain breathe and getting the bangs out of his eyes helped a little bit.

I also enjoyed watching Jordan Pacheco collect three more basehits.

That's about it.

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Lineup Card: 9-16-11 Rockies vs Giants

Links

• Big League Stew: Detention Lecture: Your 2011 Colorado Rockies (with yours truly presiding)
• Last night's Recrap: Chacin falters, Panda cycles, things be bad
• Purple Row: How the Rockies Helped Make Moneyball (great read)
• Rockies Review: Rockies lack of discipline is their biggest failure
• Rockies Woman: Jhoulys Has The Jitters

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (70-79)

1. LF Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. 2B Mark Ellis
4. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
5. 1B Jordan Pacheco
6. RF Seth Smith
7. C   Wilin Rosario
8. SS Tommy Field
9. P   Alex White

This team. This lineup. My God. 

San Francisco Giants (80-70)

1. CF Cody Ross
2. 2B Jeff Keppinger
3. RF Carlos Beltran
4. 3B Pablo Sandoval
5. 1B Aubrey Huff
6. LF Brandon Belt
7. SS Brandon Crawford
8. C  Chris Stewart
9. P   Madison Bumgarner

Lackluster Rercap: Chacin falters, Panda cycles, things be bad

September baseball can be a lot of different things: Exciting, compelling, nerve-wracking, encouraging are some of the more positive ones.

None of those would describe the Colorado Rockies this September. We're more in the horrendous, disturbing, fundamentally challenged and embarrassing category.

Some of that is due to injury. Too much of it is due to the Rockies not having enough baseball players playing up to their potential.

Giants 8, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

Unfortunately, one of the first guys we have to list when talking about players not performing to potential is Jhoulys Chacin. Thursday was another tough night for him, and it comes again against one of the weakest offenses in the league in San Francisco. Chacin has had a good history against the Giants, but much like we've seen from him this season, he comes up short in a matchup he should dominate.

His line: 5 2/3 IP, 9 H, 7 R (4 ER), 4 BB, 1 K

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Rock Solid Recap: Millwood continues to be real good

Let's just go ahead and pencil Kevin Millwood in as the Colorado Rockies opening day starter in 2012.

Yes?

Oh... no?

Well, alright, that may have been generous, but all of these reports and the speculation about the Rockies giving Millwood an invitation to spring training are underselling his performance just as much (if not more) than my opening sentence oversold it.

When you look around baseball and see the lack of depth in about 25 out of 30 rotations, assuming Millwood's arm doesn't fall off in his next couple starts, someone, or many someones, will be willing to guarantee him a spot on their 40-man roster. He's been that good for the Colorado Rockies since coming on board.

He's a veteran presence. His approach to the game is as impressive as I've seen from any Rockies starting pitcher. Think about it, the Rockies haven't had many pitchers in their lifetime that have established themselves in the game like Millwood, and have had success as long as Millwood has.

And how could they? Those pitchers aren't going to willingly come to Colorado, and no pitcher the Rockies develop is going to last that long in Denver. There's just no way. So this is something different and its something positive.

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Lackluster Recrap: Two too many outs at the plate

Well hello there 2011 season. Nice of you to backhand us across the face with another long, agonizing, but ultimately predictable night of baseball.

Did you ever really feel like the Colorado Rockies were going to win?

Of course you didn't. At least not after Mark Ellis was thrown out at the plate in the first inning trying to score from third on Troy Tulowitzki's groundball. Though I will say this... nine times out of ten the contract play is stupid and drives me crazy. This was actually the one time it doesn't, because with first and third and one out, you want that run across should the infielder attempt for the double play and fail.

All you essentially have to lose are 90 feet... at most.

But regardless of whether or not it's the right play or you like it, the ultimate result is Colorado wasting a scoring opportunity. Two innings later, Ellis would be out at the plate again trying to score on a wild pitch. Of course the game ends with the Rockies losing by one.

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Lineup Card: 9-13-11 Rockies @ Brewers

Links

RoxPile: Top 10 Rockies Pitching Performances of 2011

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (69-77)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Mark Ellis
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. LF Seth Smith
7. 3B Jordan Pacheco
8. C   Wilin Rosario
9. P   Esmil Rogers

After the Rockies played one of their best games in recent months without them in Sunday's win, Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton are magically healed now.

Little worried about that job security fellas? Huh? Huh?

Milwaukee Brewers (86-62)

1. RF Corey Hart
2. CF Nyjer Morgan
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. 2B Rickie Weeks
6. 3B Casey McGehee
7. SS Yuniesky Betancourt
8. C   Jonathan Lucroy
9. P   Zack Greinke

Did you know the Brewers have not lost a home game this season started by Zack Greinke? Will the Rockies be the team to break that streak? Will they? Not likely, but stayed anyway because it's a Tuesday and what else is there to do on a Tuesday?

Rock Solid Recap: Poised Pomeranz wins MLB debut

Alright, so maybe Alex White hasn't taken the Rocky Mountain region by storm yet, but I'd say Mr. Drew Pomeranz made enough of an impact in his debut to make us forget that for a few days. Pomeranz was absolutely sensational, controlling the game for all 63 of his pitches, and never finding himself in any real legitimate danger.

Rockies 4, Reds 1 (boxscore)

A man of few words, Todd Helton summed up Pomeranz's debut about as well I could in 500.... (via @TroyRenck on Twitter)

"A lot of poise. He had a presence"

Boy did he. In his five innings, Pomeranz walked two, but only allowed two hits. One of which was clean single up the middle, and the other deflecting off Kevin Kouzmanoff's glove. Honestly, when you look at the defensive alignment behind him -- no Tulo, no CarGo, no Helton, no Ellis -- the outing becomes even that more impressive.

And you know what makes it even better? The offense scraped together a couple runs, and Drew Pomeranz get the win!

The whole game was a lot of fun to watch, which is very rare for the 2011 Rockies. And I think we can apply the cliche that it's only going to get better when big #47 is on the hill.

How about this for a tag team. When Pomeranz got in range of his pitch limit in the 5th and had to tag out, it was Jason Hammel who got the call in the 'pen. All Hammel did was pitch the fingal four innings, allowing only a Joey Votto solo home run, to collect his third career save.

Gotta love September baseball.

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Rock Solid Recap: Too hot for television

You know, it's pretty much impossible to analyze games you can't see.

That was the case on Saturday, as the Rockies were outhomered by Cincinnati 5-4, but amazingly won the game...

Rockies 12, Reds 7 (boxscore)

Listen, all I can tell you is Alex White is struggling mightily to get his sinker down in the zone. It seemed like every home run Cincinnati hit, one of the radio guys described it as a pitch that flattened out belt high and screamed to be parked in the seats. These are professional hitters in the Reds lineup, so the results are not surprising.

Interestingly enough, for the first time since White debuted with the Rockies, we heard word (from Jim Armstrong on Twitter) about the finger injury that sidelined him for three months not being completely healthy. I don't know if that's true, if that's positive spin coming from somewhere, or even pure speculation, but a guy struggling with his grip would certainly have trouble getting his ball to move and locate correctly.

That said, if there is truth to that, then shut him down. What's the benefit to anyone to pitching a 22-year-old that's not healthy or ready? I don't get it.

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Lackluster Recrap: Fire and passion!

Reds 4, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

I guess this is the part where I express disappointment over the Rockies lack of fire and passion after manager Jim Tracy and superstar Carlos Gonzalez were ejected from the game.

Okay, yes, that's no good. But you see, when Carlos Gonzalez hits the bricks, and Troy Tulowitzki can't play with a sore hip, and Todd Helton's fresh off a back problem, and your team has no other consistent offensive threat to speak of, fire and passion have little to do with it.

And of course professional baseball players shouldn't need that type of motivation to come ready to play every night, and to sustain that focus and hunger for nine or more innings. But we already know that most of our Rockies don't possess those intangibles, traits, or basic human emotions. They're just content collecting paychecks and looking forward to wasting their next offseason.

Bleh.

This team just plain stinks.

And this game was just plain boring.

I'm going to bed before I fall asleep writing about it.

Lackluster Recrap: Solo home runs for the loss!

I think I've written this recrap a few times this season. You know, the one where the Rockies hit multiple home runs in a game - all of them solo - and lose.

Yeah, that one.

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

So guess what, I'm going to write positive things about the home runs since all three were all pretty significant for one reason or another, rather than focus on another meaningless result.

For Carlos Gonzalez, it was his 25th of the season. That's a nice, solid, round number.  (Watch)

For Kevin Millwood -- yes, that Kevin Millwood -- it was a rare pitcher home run. It was only the third of his career and his first since 2001. (Watch)

And for young Wilin Rosario, it was the milestone career home run No. 1. You've officially made it, kid. Congratulations! (Watch)

-- I'll tell you something I really like about Wilin Rosario. He comes across as a fearless, no nonsense type of player. I love that. So does Troy Tulowitzki, apparently. I like that as well. And the kid seems to have some personality, which I believe the Rockies sorely lack in the clubhouse.

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Rock Solid Recap: Youth and justice are served in thrilling victory

The Colorado Rockies are playing out at the string at this point. Actually, that started a couple months ago, but the recent sweep at the hands of Arizona made it officially official, though not technically official.

Anyway.

Once we get to this miserable place with nothing to truly invest ourselves in as fans, watching the Rockies (or any team) can be torturous (especially the Rockies). However, on this unusual Tuesday, they actually gave us reason (two, actually) to not only invest our precious time and energy, but they also rewarded us with one of their most exciting victories of the season.

I mean it.

Rockies 8, Diamondbacks 3 (boxscore)

Of course the first seven and one half innings looked exactly like every other Rockies snooze fest. General sloppiness in the field, sleepiness from the offense, and seemingly every possible bounce or call going against them. But the offense absolutely erupted in the bottom of the 8th; where they scored a season high seven runs on seven hits with the added assistance of two walks and one HBP.

And the best part of that particular inning? All seven runs crossed with two outs. So that means every plate appearance after Dexter Fowler's fielder's choice (1st in the order) until Mark Ellis' flyout (2nd in the order, but one full time around the lineup later), was a clutch/quality/pretty damn exciting plate appearance.

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Lineup Card: 9-6-11 Colorado #Rockies vs Arizona #Dbacks

A very special Lineup Card for the debut of Major League debut of Wilin Rosario. Welcome to the show, young man.

Oh, and you too, Jordan Pacheco.

Colorado Rockies (66-75)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Mark Ellis
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Jason Giambi
6. LF Seth Smith
7. C  Wilin Rosario
8. 3B Jordan Pacheco
9. P   Jason Hammel

Arizona Diamondbacks (81-60)

1. 3B Ryan Roberts
2. 2B Aaron Hill
3. RF Justin Upton
4. C   Miguel Montero
5. 1B Paul Goldschmidt
6. CF Chris Young
7. LF Gerardo Parra
8. SS John McDonald
9. P   Josh Collmenter

Lackluster Recrap: Why would you help a snake?

I don't understand why, but the Colorado Rockies continue to make life easy for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West.

Well, alright, I do why understand -- Arizona is good and the Rockies are not -- but they can't raise their game for at least one of these meetings?

Really?

Really?

I just hope that when the Diamondbacks clinch this division in the next two weeks, they send a bottle or two of champagne to the Rockies clubhouse. It would be the proper thing to do.

Diamondbacks 10, Rockies 7 (boxscore)

-- Just another one of those starts for Esmil Rogers. I don't know. The rough first innings are always there. The good second and third innings are always there. Then comes the rough ending in the fifth or sixth.

At this point he's at about seven starts after missing a lot of time on the DL. He should be approaching the time where he could stretch out for 7-8 innings, he can just never get there. Maybe we'll see some progress over the final 3-4 starts, but I'm foreseeing a spot starter/long reliever role in 12.

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Lackluster Recrap: Sunday win streak ends at 2

Labor Day weekend is always a big fantasy football weekend for yours truly. This year is no different. Big draft on Sunday, which prevented me from viewing Sunday's game. Another big draft on Monday that will likely keep me from viewing the afternoon game with Arizona. 

Hey, maybe if the Rockies had given me a reason to rearrange my priorties, I would have. But since they haven't, I'm fine putting them on the backburner for a couple days.

Padres 7, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

Looks like I didn't miss much.

Just glancing over the boxscore it would appear as though Matt Lindstrom struggled based on his line. But none of the three runs were earned, so apparently Mark Ellis's first error as a Rockie was a costly one.

It looks like Carlos Gonzalez was overmatched by Mat Latos. That's surprising. It also looks like Kevin Kouzmanoff was overmatched by Latos. That's far less surprising.

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Rock Solid Recap: Fowler, Rockies hand Alex White his 1st NL victory

Alex White's third start with the Colorado Rockies was another rollercoaster, but at the end of the day I felt encouraged by what I saw, and congratulate him on his first victory in a Rockies uniform.

Rockies 5, Padres 4 (boxscore)

Here are the concerns so far:

1. For the second straight ROAD start, White was greeted by a lead-off home run. White's bread and butter is supposed to be his sinking action, so when the ball is leaving the yard you're rightfully alarmed. But, it's not unusual for sinkerballers to come out early in outing with too much energy, which leads to overthrowing, which leads to less sinking action.

The important thing to note is that as he goes along, the ball doesn't continue to fly out of the yard. So far he's done well in that regard. But obviously there's a ways to go in working through and past early mistakes.

2. Poor command has also been a problem. Again, this is unusual for White, because the scouting reports boast of his ability to pound the strike zone. Why that's not happening is a definite concern until it's cleared up, but my guess is it's simply a combination of nerves and possibly him lacking confidence in his stuff after getting roughed up early in games.

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Rock Solid Recap: Our home away from home

Petco Park. If only we could play all of our road games at that wonderful stadium. Actually, it probably wouldn't make any difference unless we got to play those wonderfully miserable Padres every time, so I guess throw my dreams out the window.

Rockies 3, Padres 0 (boxscore)

Some good things to take away from this game.

Also some bad things, ugly things and hilarious things. But mostly good things.

Good: Kevin Millwood continued his surprising string of effectiveness, and less surprising string of professionalism, with seven scoreless innings. At this point, it's obvious the Rockies could do far worse for a 5th starter next season. But let's hope better options surface just to be safe.

Good: Jonathan Herrera with three hits out of the two-hole. It's great to see him taking advantage of his latest playing time. Not because it'll necessarily lead to even more playing time. Who the hell knows with Jim Tracy? It's just great to see it. That's all.

Bad: Helton-Smith-Kouzmanoff: 0-for-11 with one walk. Unfortunately, the one who drew the walk is the most likely to be benched come Saturday.

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Lineup Card: 9-2-11 Rockies @ Padres

The good news: A sweep at the hands of San Diego still wouldn't put the Rockies in last place.

The bad news: We're worried about being in last place.

Arizona Recraps

Monday: Rockies avoid laying a goose egg, still fail miserably
Tuesday: What's the point?
Wednesday: Well, we almost got in a fight!

Colorado Rockies (64-73)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. LF Seth Smith
7. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Kevin Millwood

San Diego Padres (60-77)

1. CF Will Venable
2. SS Jason Bartlett
3. 1B Jesus Guzman
4. LF Kyle Blanks
5. 2B Orlando Hudson
6. RF Jeremy Hermida
7. C   Nick Hundley
8. 3B Andy Parrino
9. P   Aaron Harang

Lackluster Recrap: Well, we almost got in a fight!

Almost.

Those 15 or so seconds after Huston Street chirped towards Gerardo Parra for his somewhat unnecessary forearm to Eliezer Alfonzo's chest, and the benches partially emptied, the Rockies nearly showed a pulse.

Of course the faint pulse quickly faded, the players returned to their dugouts, and the Rockies went quietly in the 9th inning. But at least we'll have those 15 seconds!

Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

Esmil Rogers: Same old pattern. Awful first inning. Nice recovery. Strong middle innings. Tires in the 6th and allows that final run or two that assures his ERA will never dip below 5.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Dexter Fowler: Back-to-back games with a homer? The hell is that about?

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Lackluster Recrap: What's the point?

Diamondbacks 9, Rockies 4 (boxscore)

What would you like me to write after this one?

Another paragraph or two on how Aaron Cook doesn't have it anymore?

No thanks. Been there and done that enough.

How about a blurb on how useless Ty Wigginton has been? I could mention his .160 batting average with RISP and then I could question...

1. Why the hell does Jim Tracy want his bat in the lineup so bad?

and

2. Why at the expense of Seth Smith?

I don't care how much he struggles about left-handers. Smith is the best option this team has right now to play everyday, and is a better bet against a lefty than Wigginton is against a little leaguer on most nights.

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Lackluster Recrap: Rockies avoid laying a goose egg, still fail miserably

"I don’t think the day will come when I grow tired of watching baseball. I hope not, anyway.

But I know I’m already tired of watching bad baseball. I’m tired of watching the (team) make outs every night. I’m tired of writing the same game story. I’m tired of finding new ways to ask the same questions."

Those comments may look familiar, but they are NOT mine. Those are actually the words written by San Francisco Giants beat writer Andrew Baggerly after their 7-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Monday night.

Turns out baseball life kinda sucks there, too. But dammit, at least they have a World stinkin' Championship to lean on when times are tough. We don't even have a division championship we can reminisce about. Sure, we have 2007. That will always be a fond memory, but I want something a little more solid than that.

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

Monday was Alex White's second start with the Rockies and his 23rd birthday.

It didn't start well.

It didn't end well.

It just flat didn't go well.

Arizona's very first batter, Ryan Roberts, greeted White with a longball to left. I don't know if that rattled White, which would be understandable, but his command immediately went missing. In total, White walked three in the frame. He also allowed one more hit, but thanks to Chris Iannetta picking off Aaron Hill, Arizona did not plate another run.

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Rock Solid Recap: Sundays are fun again!

But to be truly be fun again, wins on Friday and Saturday would be necessary. 

Such was not the case for the Rockies weekend, but hey, it's nice to feel like the Sunday crap is behind us.

Rockies 7, Dodgers 6 (boxscore)

Here's something we've been saying a lot lately: The Rockies offense jumped out to a lead. And they did so against a pitcher they've never faced before in Nathan Eovaldi. I know what you're thinking... and I agree, that's a really strange name.

The Rockies plated five of Eovaldi in a near 40-pitch first inning. The 21-year-old righty could have trimmed about 10 pitches and 4 runs off that total with a little help from right fielder Trent Oeltjen, but Kevin Kouzmanoff's blooper to right center bounced off his wrist and actually turned into the weakest base clearing double I've seen in a quite awhile.

And that's taking nothing away from Kouzmanoff. Believe me. He got the ball in play That's something we haven't seen nearly enough of in those spots, so he earned it.

Eliezer Alfonzo would follow with his own two-out, RBI hit. That was also critical, because all of those runs would end up being important. As would the RBIs Seth Smith and Kouzmanoff collected in the 5th, which turned a 5-2 lead into a 7-2 advantage.

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Lackluster Recrap: Back to reality

Well that should be pretty much empty out the 2011 hopewagon for good. I know some fans were ready to (or already had started to) buy this team's playoff chances after the strong homestand, but reality has settled in once again with the Rockies back on the west coast. 

Dodgers 7, Rockies 6 in 11 (boxscore)

Even the best Rockies teams struggle on this west coast swings. There should be little question how a not good Rockies team will do.

That's the bad news. Here's some good news that's also depressing news. When the Rockies two legitamite superstars are rolling, this offense is just one consistently productive and impactful bat away from being unstoppable.

Todd Helton has been good, but he doesn't fit that description anymore. That guy should have been Ian Stewart, or could have been Chris Iannetta,but they fell short. Could have been Michael Young, but that was never very realistic.

It's just so frustrating to watch (in today's case listen to) Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez playing out of their minds at the same time, and not getting any sort of help.

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Lackluster Recrap: Balk, balk, puke

Dodgers 6, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

Let's just cut to the chase.

Were the two balks called in the 7th inning legitimate?

To the letter of the law, yes they were. Any type of flinch, movement, awkwardness is going to be called. Meant or not, those are all in some way or another a method of deceiving the runner

However, when left open for interpretation by the umpires, you'd hope they would be smart enough to understand Esmil Rogers had no intention whatsoever to deceive a baserunner (no chance in Hell with Bob Davidson). The baserunner was actually deceiving Rogers, which is perfectly within the rules, but what a pain in the ass for a pitcher to have to divide his attention like that. I guess that's his problem for loading the bases.

It's also Rogers' problem for not staying composed and finishing the inning. He got beat by Justin freaking Sellers. That can't happen.

But up to that point he had his best outing of the season by a country mile, so hats off for that.

The Matt Reynolds balk was an easy call. No problems there.

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Rock Solid Recap: Business is taken care of

It wasn't always pretty, but the Colorado Rockies completed a sweep of the lowly Houston Astros Wednesday afternoon and finished their cupcake homestand with the 7-2 record they needed to not completely fall off the map. That's all you can really ask of them at this point. Regardless of how (walk-off wild pitch), just beat the teams you're supposed to beat.

Inch towards .500.

And then pray for miracles.

Rockies 7, Astros 6 in 10 (boxscore)

Talk about a fast start. Colorado's first four batters reached and scored - capped by Troy Tulowitzki's two-run home run - putting Wandy Rodriguez (their recent waiver claim), on the ropes early. But Wandy quickly battled off those ropes, allowing only a Carlos Gonzalez two-run homer in the 4th in his next five innings.

It actually reminded me a lot of a typical Esmil Rogers start (whose spot he would have likely taken in the rotation had the deal materialized), but Rodriguez is better than that nine times out ten.

Aaron Cook was very 2010-2011 Aaron Cookish today. Slow start. Rockies come right back and give him the lead. Then he gives it right back. It is what it is with Cook. Some days it's there. Most days it isn't.

And then Jason Hammel took the hill in his first relief appearance of the season. You could hear the groans from Colorado all the way here in Illinois; but guess what, Jason Hammel worked two very good innings and kept the score even at six. I can almost guarantee you Hammel is not liking this current arrangement, but I can also definitely guarantee you he's going to handle it professionally and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it were a success.

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Rock Solid Recap: Mixed results for White in ugly Rockies victory

With three exceptions...

1. Carlos Gonzalez's ridiculous catch (Watch) 

2. Seth Smith's 478-foot home run (Watch)

3. Jonathan Herrera's game-winning two-run home run (Watch)

... every other piece of footage from this game should be doused in gasoline and burned.

Rockies 8, Astros 6 (boxscore)

The Colorado Rockies did not play good baseball. In fact, they were pretty horrible. The infield defense suffered from several lapses. The baserunning was atrocious... again. It just wasn't something you'd show to a group of little leaguers hoping to learn the basic fundamentals of baseball.

And then you have the Houston Astros, who could probably learn things by watching little leaguers on tape. Heck, maybe that's where manager Brad Mills got the idea to move relief pitcher Wesley Wright to right field for one batter and then back to the pitcher's mound. Hey, it worked. Give him that much.

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Lineup Card: 8-23-11 Rockies vs Astros

The Rockies have been awarded a waiver claim on Houston Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. That means the Rockies have 48 hours from the time the waiver was awarded to work out a trade with Houston, or the Astros can just hand him to the Rockies and make them pay his entire contract. 

I honestly don't see either happening at this point. The Rockies are unlikely to want to part with what Houston needs, and Houston is unlikely to lower their asking price just for a salary dump. Plus they can move him in the offseason when the demand will likely be higher.

It's an interesting move for the Rockies to try to make, but this will likely become a non-story quickly.

Links

• Yesterday's Recap: The Astros are really bad
• Denver Post: Rockies acquire Kevin Kouzmanoff

Colorado Rockies (61-68) 

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 3B Chris Nelson
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. LF Seth Smith
7. C  Chris Iannetta (he's hitting higher than 8th!)
8. 2B Jonathan Herrera
9. P   Alex White

Houston Astros (42-86)

1. CF Jordan Schafer
2. 2B Jose Altuve
3. LF J.D. Martinez
4. 1B Carlos Lee
5. RF Brian Bogusevic
6. 3B Jimmy Paredes
7. SS Clint Barmes
8. C   Humberto Quintero
9. P   Bud Norris

Rock Solid Recap: The Astros are really bad

I had a feeling this homestand with the Marlins, Dodgers and Astros would have people believing again. Just based on what I've read on Twitter, people are indeed buying in, although cautiously.

Hey, I don't blame you. It's been a rough summer. Any glimmer of hope is welcomed here.

Of course this homestand will end after two more games, and then the Rockies will go on the road for nine division road games. But hey, they've taken care of business at home, which is also welcomed. Now if they can actually gain a little ground on that trip while climbing closer to .500, then you might be on to something.

It doesn't hurt that the teams they're chasing are the definition of bleh. But then again, the Rockies fit that description as well. With less pitching.

Rockies 9, Astros 5 (boxscore)

This one was over early. The offense came out firing against Brett Myers, plating six runs on six hits in the first. The inning included a number of quality plate appearances, beginning with Eric Young's leadoff walk, and concluding with yes, a two-run double from Jhoulys Chacin.

Watch Chacin smack a double

In between Dexter Fowler doubled, Carlos Gonzalez doubled in two, Todd Helton singled home CarGo, Ty Wigginton doubled, and then Mark Ellis got Todd home with an infield single. Terrific inning.

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Lineup Card: 8-22-11 Rockies vs Astros

The Rockies open the biggest series of the season tonight...

Alright, I'm lying. But it is a pretty big series for Houston... as they look to avoid elimination from the playoff race... in August.

Links

• Yesterday's Recap: Rare positive baseball thoughts on a Sunday
• Purple Row: Why you should keep watching the 2011 Rockies
• Rockies Woman: A Sunday Win! A Day Game Win! A Series Win!

Colorado Rockies (60-68)

1. LF Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. 2B Mark Ellis
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Jhoulys Chacin

Chacin has pitched down the competition at times this season. I don't know that that's possible though against these Astros.

Houston Astros (42-85)

1. CF Jordan Schafer
2. 2B Jose Altuve
3. LF J.D. Martinez
4. 1B Carlos Lee
5. RF Brian Bogusevic
6. 3B Jimmy Paredes
7. SS Clint Barmes
8. C   Humberto Quintero
9. P   Brett Myers

This is Astros lineup is a who's who of who the hell is that guy? I can tell you this... Altuve is fast. Bogusevic is pretty strong. And that's about it. Maybe I can tell you more after the game. 

Rock Solid Recap: Rare positive baseball thoughts on a Sunday

You might want to bookmark this post, it could be a collector's edition.

For the first since April 17., the Colorado Rockies have won a Sunday baseball game!

It's true! I watched it with my own eyes.

Rockies 5, Dodgers 3 (boxscore)

Yes, they won it, but it certainly wasn't easy. The Rockies offense did a typical Sunday disappearing act from the 2nd-6th innings. In fact, the offense as a whole only collected three hits in the game. That's an on-going problem that we've dissected and thrown up in our collective shoes thinking about for five months. But at least on this day they made their hits count.

Two of them were home runs.

Carlos Gonzalez hit a two-run blast in the first to start the game's scoring. (Watch)

Seth Smith then connected for a titantic 458-foot go-ahead home run in the seventh. Smith's ball landed in the second deck in right center field, above the bullpen. Not unusual to see second deck shots to straightaway right, but that's quite a poke to where Smith hit it. (Watch)

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Rock Solid Recap: If we didn't see it, did it really happen?

I heard a rumor the Colorado Rockies played a baseball game Saturday afternoon, and won that baseball game by playing hard all afternoon, not making too many stupid mistakes, not giving away at-bats, and maybe just being the better overall baseball team.

Can anyone confirm this?

Rockies 7, Dodgers 6 (13)  (boxscore)

I guess I'll just have to go based on the boxscore.

This team. I swear. One day I compliment them or a specific player, the next game they repay me with a dud. One day I rip them for not battling all nine innings, the next game they battle for 13 innings and pull out a dramatic and exciting victory.

I can't win... but at least they did... apparently.

Quite a few guys/items to touch on here, so we'll go one-by-one.

Esmil Rogers: Every start is the same pattern. Bad first inning, recovers in the second and third, and then tires/struggles in the middle innings. But there is slight progression in that he's able to go over 100 pitches now with consistency, and that's allowing him to work through his mid-game struggles and in this case pitch through the sixth. That's a big plus for a tired bullpen.

Also, the final numbers are rarely pretty, but they aren't disastrous either. To me he's not an awful #5 in the NL West as it currently stands. He's not nearly as solid there as Jason Hammel was at his best, but he's passable. And I'd still like to see him take his regular turn in the rotation the rest of the season so we can see if he's a serious contender for the same role next season.

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Lackluster Recrap: I'm very sad for Jason Hammel

Dodgers 8, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

Well, so much for Jason Hammel getting on track and stringing together good starts for the first time in two months. Wow, this one here was actually about as bad as it can get when you consider who was missing from the opposition's lineup. Namely, Andre Ethier.

But really, the Dodgers plain stink no matter who's suiting up. so whatever hell you'd like to give Hammel for this one is more than justified.

While you're at it, give the offense some hell too. I understand they were fighting an uphill battle right out of the gate, but you honestly can't win that battle when only two or three guys are fighting for every at bat on a given night. Again, it's everybody or two or three. We need those periphery guys to step it up in every game, but especially games like this one.

Aside from Troy Tulowitzki, who's so locked it right now it's ridiculous. Aside from Todd Helton, who's just Todd Helton. Aside from Jason Giambi, who obviously doesn't play often. And aside from Carlos Gonzalez, who's fighting those nightly battles for the Rockies, and who's winning them at a successful clip?

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Lineup Card: 8-19-11 Rockies vs Dodgers

Links

• Wednesday's Recap: Caught us a fish: Hook, line drives, and Cook's sinker
• Purple Row: Friday Pebble Report: Alex White good... and other things
• Rockies Review: Dan O'Dowd's future may ride on the shoulders of Drew Pomeranz
• Rockies Woman: Michelle Hoag has all of your off day tidbits and goodies

Colorado Rockies (58-67)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 3B Chris Nelson
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. LF Seth Smith
7. C   Eliezer Alfonzo
8. 2B Mark Ellis
9. P   Jason Hammel

Los Angeles Dodgers (56-67)

1. LF Tony Gwynn
2. SS Justin Sellers
3. 3B Aaron Miles
4. CF Matt Kemp 
5. RF Juan Rivera
6. 1B James Loney
7. C  Rod Barajas
8. 2B Jamey Carroll
9. P   Hiroki Kuroda

Rock Solid Recap: Caught us a fish: Hook, line drives, and Cook's sinker

Alright, so we know the Rockies are maddeningly incompetent against some very pedestrian pitchers. They've also proven to be dominant at times this season against some of the lower-tier front of the rotation starters -- like a Jaime Garcia, whom they've pounded twice, and now tonight against Ricky Nolasco, whom they had never defeated before in six decisions.

That's why I don't bet on baseball.

Actually, I don't bet on anything, but if I did, baseball wouldn't be it.

Rockies 12, Marlins 5 (boxscore)

The Rockies pounded Nolasco for 11 hits and 11 earned runs in three innings. That's one of the uglier lines in the game this season. But the Rockies did benefit from a couple Marlin defensive lapses early. With two outs and the bases loaded in the first, Chris Nelson hit a dribbler that Nolcaso couldn't glove and Emilio Bonifacio couldn't charge fast enough.

Prrrroooobably should have been an out. Wasn't for them.

The next batter definitely should have been out, but the line drive flyball off the bat of Chris Iannetta was misjudged in center by Mike Cameron. Three runs scored there, and the Rockies were in the driver's seat.

Watch Cameron's misjudgment

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Lineup Card: 8-17-11 Rockies vs Marlins

Link

• Yesterday's Recap: Live by solo home runs, get beat by a solo home run
• Rox Pile: Top 10 reasons trading Ubaldo Jimenez was a bad idea
• Rox Pile: Top 10 reasons trading Ubaldo Jimenez was a good idea 

Colorado Rockies (57-67)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Mark Ellis
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. LF Seth Smith
7. 3B Chris Nelson
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Aaron Cook

Florida Marlins (57-65)

1. SS Emilio Bonifacio
2. LF Bryan Petersen
3. RF Mike Stanton
4. 3B Greg Dobbs
5. 1B Gaby Sanchez
6. CF Mike Cameron
7. C  John Buck
8. 2B Jose Lopez
9. P   Ricky Nolasco

Tonight's question: How many triples will Bryan Petersen hit? 

Lackluster Recrap: Live by solo home runs, get beat by a solo home run

Yes, the Colorado Rockies came out swinging on Tuesday night, connecting for four home runs! Of course three of those (Troy Tulowitzki, Seth Smith and Carlos Gonzalez) home runs were solos, with only Jason Giambi's too little, too late home run in the ninth being a two-run shot.

The Florida Marlins only hit one home run. That too was a solo blast off the bat of Mike Stanton. It ended up being the difference in the game. Why? Because the Marlins found other ways to score thanks largely to Bryan Petersen's 2nd and 3rd career triples. In case you're keeping track at home, all three have come in this series.

I'd also like to point out that Peterson and Emilio Bonifacio, Florida's 1 & 2 hitters on the evening, finished with five hits, two runs and two RBIs. The Rockies 1-2 punch of Dexter Fowler and Mark Ellis finished 0-for-9 with six strikeouts. Thats difficult to digest in a one-run loss.

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Lineup Card: 8-16-11 Rockies vs Marlins

Link

Yesterday's Recap: Rockies finally answer 9th inning wake up call

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (57-66)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Mark Ellis
3. RF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. LF Seth Smith
7. 3B Chris Nelson
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jhoulys Chacin

Catcher hitting eighth. That can mean only two things. 1) Chris Iannetta is playing. 2) Jim Tracy is still the manager.

Florida Marlins (56-65)

1. SS Emilio Bonifacio
2. LF Bryan Peterson
3. RF Mike Stanton
4. 3B Greg Dobbs
5. 1B Gaby Sanchez
6. CF Mike Cameron
7. C   John Buck
8. 2B Jose Lopez
9. P   Anibal Sanchez

The return of Jose Lopez and a rematch with Anibal Sanchez, who nearly no-hit the Rockies earlier this season. So many subplots!