Lineup Card: 5-31-11 Rockies @ Dodgers

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

Yesterday's something: Why so mad?

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (25-28) 

1. 2B Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy  Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. RF Ty Wigginton (Oh. Dear. God.)
7. 3B Chris Nelson
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Clayton Mortensen

Los Angeles Dodgers (25-30)

1. SS Jamey Carroll
2. 3B Casey Blake
3. RF Andre Ethier
4. CF Matt Kemp
5. 1B James Loney
6. LF Jerry Sands
7. C  Dioner Navarro
8. 3B Aaron Miles
9. P   Ted Lilly

Rock Solid Recap: Why so mad?

Rockies 14, Dodgers 11 (boxscore)

Todd Helton led the way with three hits as the Colorado Rockies outslugged the Dodgers...

Oh, hold on.

Sorry, that was the hits column.

Let's see here.

Dodgers 7, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

That explains that. So I guess this is a recRap then.

(I just gave the Rockies their next slogan there. Total accident.)

UPDATE: I see Purple Row's Bryan Kilpatrick used a variation of the same bit. I didn't steal or borrow, and I'm too lazy to rewrite, so we'll just go with great minds think alike.

-- Can this please be rock bottom? Please? Fourteen hits, four walks and one run. Only the Rockies. Well, the Cubs could probably pull that off just as easily, but this is a Rockies blog. So ONLY the Rockies.

The Rockies had the lead-off man reach base I believe it was seven innings in a row? None of those scored. The lone run came on Ty Wigginton's solo home run in the fourth, which was perfectly timed right after a Seth Smith GIDP.

Overall the Rockies went 1-for-12 with RISP. An ugly number. And there was little to no bad luck involved here. Just a lot of terrible at-bats and swings with expected results.

Honestly, I'm tired of hearing the unlucky bit. Yes, Troy Tulowitzki hits baseballs hard and they get caught sometimes. He also pops up all the time and hits Taylor made double play balls. Yes, umpires blow calls. Yes, weird things happen, but weird things always happen to everybody. Every team gets screwed now and then.

They get magnified when you're not doing the little things right. The Rockies simply aren't doing the little things. And they aren't doing a lot of big things right either. Throw out any stats that may suggest differently. The team is a mess right now. It's that simple.

-- Jason Hammel made some good pitches to Andre Ethier with the bases loaded in the third, but that piece of garbage Joe West screwed him. There's no other way to say it. He screwed him. That was a strikeout two different times, but Cowboy Joe was too busy being his usual arrogant self. Embarrassing the game of baseball.

Then Ethier hit that ball right back through the box than Hammel couldn't handle, and the route was on. Unfortunately Hammel unraveled, but when you're making good pitches and not getting calls, that's what will happen. Chad Billingsley faced the same problem. He allowed a career hit 11 hits. The Rockies did nothing with them.

-- The Fowler/CarGo Play

Center fielders are taught to take every ball they can get to. It was left-center, Fowler got there, it looked like he called, so Gonzalez has to clear out. Yes, Gonzalez has the better arm, but they weren't throwing anyone out at the plate from that depth. Fowler wasn't in the wrong there. It's tough to come down on Gonzalez though. They are both centerfielders in mind and ability, and he wanted to make a play.

-- So the Rockies lose 20 in May. 20 recraps in a single month, with a good chance for 21. Talk about challenging a blogger to stay engaging, interesting, motivated, funny and creative. Good lord. Thanks a lot!

Lineup Card: 5-30-11 Rockies @ Dodgers

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

Yesterday's Recrap: Dreadful homestand concludes

Quote of the day

"I wasn't expecting anything like that pitch. I was sitting on something like the sliders he'd been throwing," Carlos Gonzalez on the final at-bat in Sunday's game

Hey, um, you know, if you're looking for something and you don't get it on a 0-0 count, don't swing. Same for 0-1. Like, if you're sitting on a slider, why are you firing at a fastball? Either you're not seeing the ball at all out of the pitcher's hand, or your discipline is at level zero right now.

That was a pretty scary quote to read from a guy who led the league in hitting just last season, but it sure does help explain the lousy at-bats he's piling up this season. Yikes.

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (25-27)

1. 2B Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. RF Seth Smith
7. 3B Ty Wigginton
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jason Hammel

We'll just get Chris Nelson that first start about Friday... when he's good and cooled of. 

Los Angeles Dodgers (24-30)

1. SS Rafael Furcal
2. 2B Jamey Carroll
3. RF Andre Ethier
4. CF Matt Kemp
5. LF Jay Gibbons
6. 1B James Loney
7. C  Rod Barajas
8. 3B Aaron Miles
9. P   Chad Billingsly

Rock Solid Recrap: Dreadful homestand concludes

The Rockies scored 41 runs on their seven game homestand!!! That's like an average of six runs per game! 

Not bad, huh?

Well, 27 of those came in the TWO wins. The other 14 came in the FIVE losses.

Nope, not bad. More like sad. And absolutely maddening.

Cardinals 4, Rockies 3 (boxscore) 

-- Jhoulys Chacin padded his team lead for home runs allowed when Jon Jay and Colby Rasmus took him yard. That's nine on the season and definitely a problem. Even more so when he walks the guy directly in front of the home run, as he did on Jay's in the first.

The Rasmus solo homer was also frustrating because it came right after the offense pushed across a run with a double, bunt and sacrifice fly. But Chacin still did a nice job of holding the Cardinals in check. That's a great offense and holding them to four with Kyle Lohse opposing you should set you up well.

-- Matt Reynolds, Matt Lindstrom and Rafael Betancourt were nearly untouchable in three innings of scoreless relief. Another day at the office for Reynolds and Lindstrom. Another positive step towards being himself again for Betancourt.

-- Ty Wigginton, Ryan Spilborghs and Chris Iannetta reached base a total of eight times. You would think that would really spark another offensive outburst. Not so much.

-- You know, it would be easy to nitpick Jim Tracy today.

Bases loaded, no outs, down by two in the 7th. Tracy pulls pinch-hitter Seth Smith off the on-deck circle and plays the Jason Giambi card, which obviously means he's looking for the four-run homer. Of course that's not a situation where a grand slam is necessary. A basehit or productive out would be very helpful, which Seth Smith has a better chance of providing, but Tracy has his way of doing things.

Of course Jason Giambi struck out and Eric Young lined into a double play. Rally killed.

Next inning, Tracy allows Ty Wigginton to hit for himself against the St. Louis closer, Fernando Salas, with two on and two out. He struck out on three sliders. May have been a good spot for Smith there as well. Especially when you have Chris Nelson and Jonathan Herrera available to play third.

Then Seth Smith strikes out as the tying run in the ninth, so who knows what the right call is in each situation. I would have definitely set things up differently, but sometimes it just is what it is. And what it is is the players need to have better at-bats.

Especially Carlos Gonzalez in the 9th inning. His entire mindset was to swing away at anything close. Turned himself into an easy final out of the game.

-- Eric Young had another nice game by the way. He knocked in two of the Rockies three runs.

-- Dexter Fowler still struggles with those liners directly at him. Gap-to-gap, he's still terrific. But he needs to read and track those liners a lot better. It's cost him several times.

I linked to Troy Renck's (Rock-Hard decisions at hand) piece earlier. I'll mention it again here. Renck really did a great job with this, but I specifically enjoyed this paragraph...

And finally, end the shock theater with bunts and baserunning. It's alarming how bad the Rockies have been at basic fundamentals, especially since they practice them as much as any team in baseball. Simply put, the Rockies can't win when they don't hit. They have proved incapable of playing small ball.

He had a lot more to say. I'm sure most Rockies fans have read it already. But even non-Rockies fans can get a good feel for the Rockies struggles by reading that piece.

-- Dreadful homestand over. Road trip from Hell now looming. Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego here they come. Nine big games in ten days. I hate to say it at the end of May into early June, but if the Rockies tank this trip (2-7, 1-8), well, any and all optimism would be rightly tossed out the window.

Is it possible they could rebound? Of course. But to expect it or even hope for it would be pretty close to unrealistic.

3-6 or 4-5 would be frustrating, but not totally demoralizing depending on the order they come in. 5-4 or 6-3 would be very encouraging. I would be downright giddy even. Anything better than that isn't going to happen. Sorry. I wouldn't even expect the best Rockies team ever to win seven on this trip. Just hope for a winning one.

Lineup Card: 5-29-11 Rockies vs Cardinals

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Rock Solid ReCAP: 15 runs. A win. Woah!
• Troy Renck: Hard-Rock decisions at hand 

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (25-26)

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

No actual lineup changes! However, Alfredo Amezaga was finally designated for assignment and Chris Nelson received the recall from AAA. He'll likely serve in a bench role upon arrivial, but given how Jim Tracy has apparently soured on Jonathan Herrera and Ty Wigginton is the only option at third currently, plenty of opportunity awaits Nelson in the upcoming weeks. 

St. Louis Cardinals (31-22)

1. SS Ryan Theriot
2. LF Jon Jay
3. 1B Albert Pujols
4. RF Lance Berkman
5. 2B Allen Craig
6. CF Colby Rasmus
7. C   Yadier Molina
8. 3B Daniel Descalso
9. P   Kyle Lohse

Rock Solid ReCAP: 15 Runs. A win. Woah!

Rockies 15, Cardinals 4 (boxscore)

Well I didn't see that coming. Jaime Garcia entered play today with a 1.93 ERA and he exited in the fourth inning with a 3.28 ERA. Yes, the Rockies plated 12 runs (11 earned) on this season's version of Ubaldo Jimenez while in the midst of maybe the most extensive and infuriating offensive slump we've seen them have in 18+ years.

And they did it in support of Juan Nicasio -- a kid with an electronic fastball, solid changeup and developing breaking stuff -- making his major league debut against the hottest offense in the National League. He didn't need that much support. He was brilliant, allowing one run (unearned) over seven innings, and actually made a lot more quality pitches than I expected him to.

It was a lot of fun to watch. Hopefully we only saw a small sample of what this kid will offer as he continues developing some of those secondary pitches. Very impressive debut.

Now back to the offense.

First of all, Eric Young leads off the game with a single and STEALS A BASE. I almost stopped watching right there so I could leave with a positive visual. But it only got better as Dexter Fowler followed with a 10-pitch walk after being behind in the count 0-2.

Those two plate appearances are textbook for table setters. Patience, contact, speed. It provided the middle of the order a solid foundation to build from against an all-star pitcher. And then Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton each followed with singles to plate those two runs and load the bases. Great start.

Ty Wigginton then struck out. Ho hum.

But that set up maybe the most important at-bat of the game. Ryan Spiborghs didn't allow the offensive momentum to fizzle out. Instead he worked a 7-pitch walk for an easy RBI and to keep the line moving. The Rockies would tack on three more thanks to a Chris Iannetta two-run single and an Eric Young RBI single.

6-0.

Spilborghs had another outstanding at-bat in 2nd, singling home one with two outs. He then tripled home two in the 4th. Chris Iannetta cleaned up again with a two-run homer right after.

12-0

Iannetta would hit another two-run homer in the 8th, giving him a career high two home runs, four hits and six RBI. That's definitely worthy of player of the game, yet I think we need to cut that into thirds because Spilborghs and Nicasio deserve a piece of the pie as well.

Any way you slice it, it was a much needed performance for several players and the team as whole. Maybe THIS will be the start of something good. Maybe all the frustration has come to a head and burst.

Maybe not. We've seen the Rockies breakout before, only to follow up with more of the same. Guess we just have to tune in again tomorrow to see where we go from here.

Lineup Card: 5-28-11 Rockies vs Cardinals

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Last night's Recrap: That's not going to work
• Denver Post: "You can't go to your locker and cry."
• Rockies Woman: Rockies = Slump killers

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (24-26)

1. 2B Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Juan Nicasio

In: Dexter Fowler back in center, hitting second. 

Out: Jonathan Herrera. Ugh

St. Louis Cardinals (31-21)

1. SS Ryan Theriot
2. LF Jon Jay
3. 1B Albert Pujols
4. RF Lance Berkman
5. CF Colby Rasmus
6. 2B Skip Schumaker
7. C   Yadier Molina
8. 3B Daniel Descalso
9. P   Jaime Garcia

Rock Solid Recrap: That's not going to work

Cardinals 10, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

-- Ubaldo Jimenez was bad again. He had one good inning in the 4th or 5th that gave me reason for some hope, but it fell apart again quickly after. It's not good, folks. It's not good at all. It's not going to work.

-- The Rockies had five hits and three runs through three innings. None of either in the final six. Yeah, that's not going to work.

-- I will be curious to see who's in center field tomorrow. If it's Eric Young again it will be obvious Dexter Fowler is the Rockie currently out of favor with Jim Tracy. Maybe it already is obvious. If that's the case. If that's where the Rockies were looking to upgrade, why not bring in Charlie Blackmon? Move Gonzalez to center. Let Blackmon play a corner. That COULD work, actually.

Maybe there's a clause in Gonzalez's new contract that says the Rockies owe him eleventy billion dollars if he plays one inning in center. I'm only kidding. I think.

Anyway, I know you want EY's speed in the lineup and he's a legit lead-off guy, but the problem is you're sticking an infielder in center field at Coors Field. That's not going to work. We saw why on this play right here. (Watch)

Ty Wigginton's lousy tag attempt won't work either.

-- Hat tip to Bruce Billings for his making his major league debut. He allowed five hits and one run over his two innings. Nothing special you'd say, but he did induce two double play balls, including one from Albert Pujols. So that's pretty cool.

-- Felipe Paulino's line tonight in his Kansas City debut (against Texas): 4 1/3, 1 H, 3 K. Yeah, **** you.

Wherever Jose Lopez ends up, he'll hit three home runs in his first game there. No question about it.

-- Juan Nicasio makes his major league debut on Saturday evening. I'm definitely interested to see what the kid has, but I'm honestly concerned for his baseball life. The Cardinals are on fire offensively. It just doesn't add up to a positive result on paper. Hopefully it adds up better on the field.

Lineup Card: 5-27-11 Rockies vs Cardinals

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

Last night's Recrap: The slide continues

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (24-25)

1. CF Eric Young 
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Ubaldo Jimenez

In: Eric Young takes over in CF tonight. Welcome back to the bigs young EY. Ryan Spilborghs gets the start in right.

Out: Dexter dropped to 8th yesterday and now drops completely out of the lineup. Seth Smith sits with a leg injury sustained last night chasing a flyball. Day-to-day as far as I know but I've been out of the loop all afternoon.

Gone for good: Jose Lopez. YAY.

St. Louis Cardinals (30-21)

1. SS Ryan Theriot
2. RF Jon Jay
3. 1B Albert Pujols
4. LF Lance Berkman
5. 2B Allen Craig
6. CF Colby Rasmus
7. C   Yadier Molina
8. 3B Daniel Descalso
9. P   Jake Westbrook

Rockies catch a break with no Matt Holliday tonight. He's dealing with a quad issue and there's no official word what his status is. He hasn't played since Sunday. 

Rock Solid Recrap: The slide continues

Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

Here's what we had tonight.

-- 2nd inning: Chris Young on second with one out. Miguel Montero bounces back to Clayton Mortensen. Mortensen catches Young off second base. Rundown. Couple throws. Ty Wigginton's throw hits Young in the hand and everyone is safe.

These guys are fighting themselves so much that they can't even execute simple rundowns.

-- Clayton Mortensen ran into that issue that continues to cost Ubaldo Jimenez. He walked Stephen Drew and Young to start the 4th. Boom. Miguel Montero three-run homer. Just that fast. You lose for it three batters, you're down 3-0. Mortensen seems to be a guy with good control, but it just shows how costly those walks can be, even when they're few and far between.

He allowed one more run the 6th aided by Chris Iannetta's first throwing error of the season. Indeed every little mistake the Rockies make is crippling.

-- As for Mortensen, I like him. Why I like him so much I don't know. I guess because he's usually throwing strikes and hitting spots. He makes a lot of big pitches with his back against the wall. He's far from special -- mind you, but he seems to find a way to keep the offense within striking distance. As a #5 starter you'll definitely take that. This offense just isn't capable of striking right now.

-- Troy Tulowitzki bunting for a hit down three with two outs in the 6th. Took a great play by Montero (he was awesome tonight) to get Tulo, but seriously, why?

-- I defend Huston Street. I defend Huston Street. I defend Huston Street some more. With each defense, the next home run he allows goes about ten feet farther. You're on your own now, Huston. In fact, all Rockies are on their own now. I'll praise you when warranted, but I'm not going to bat for anyone.

Save Todd Helton. But I should never have to go to bat for Helton.

-- After the game the Rockies designated Jose Lopez for assignment and recalled Eric Young Jr. It's the right move to make. Lopez has done nothing to justify sticking around, despite being given ample opportunity to beat out Jonathan Herrera at second and play third base in wake of Ian Stewart's struggles. I may have DFAed Alfredo Amezaga first, just because his ceiling isn't as high as Lopez's, but either/or are expendable.

Young coming up gives Jim Tracy something he's desperately searching for right now -- a lead-off hitter than can put pressure on the defense. Whether or not he can consistently get on base at the ML level is the question with EY. I'm not counting on or asking for anything spectacular here, just a spark, or a pulse, or some form of consistency.

Where he plays in the field will be another interesting question. I could see him flipping back and forth between 2B and CF. Flip Herrera to third when he's at second. Give Fowler days off in CF. Ultimately I think this spells less playing for Ty Wigginton and Jason Giambi in the field.

-- Weekend series with the Cardinals. Difficult to envision this ending well right now. Someone surprise me.

Lineup Card: 5-26-11 Rockies vs Diamondbacks

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Last night's Recrap: 500 never felt so...
• Denver Post: Rockies have no steals in nine games

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (24-24)

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

Flip-flop. Flippy, flippy flop goes Jim Tracy's lineup.

In: We welcome back Troy Tulowitzki after his baseball shrink declared him mentally fit. And Jonny Herrera is back in there in the two-spot.

Out:  Alfredo Amezaga and Jose Lopez... thank God.

Moving: Seth Smith takes over the lead-off spot with Dexter Fowler moving to 8th. Let's take wagers on how  long this lasts.

Arizona Diamondbacks (25-24)

1. LF Willie Bloomquist
2. 2B Kelly Johnson
3. RF Justin Upton
4. SS Stephen Drew
5. CF Chris Young
6. C   Miguel Montero
7. 1B Juan Miranda
8. 3B Melvin Mora
9. P   Micah Owings

Rock Solid Recrap: 500 never felt so...

Unsatisfying. Crummy. Lame. Lousy. Painful.

But it's still as good or better than the Rockies have been in late May in recent years. It's not an awful place to be. You can make a quick move up the standings from .500. Really.

That's a little perspective for the overall situation here... but it's really easy to lose the perspective quickly. Especially after a night like tonight.

Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

-- Poor Jason Hammel could not have done anything more. Well, yeah, he could have hit another home run. But that didn't even help get a win the last time out. The Rockies just don't support him at all. And it never helps when Jim Tracy backs him with a Wigginton in left, or a Giambi at first, or an Amezaga at short. Always Hammel.

Tonight it was Amezaga at short. Of course Amezaga made the error that led to the only two runs Hammel allowed. Both are unearned, as is the loss Hammel took, but sadly that will stay on his record.

All we can do as fans is verbally pat Hammel on the back. He's giving us everything he has as a pitcher. His transformation in a Rockies uniform from a really good #5 starter to a solid #3 has been a joy to witness. You just hope he doesn't let the lack of run support get him down or shake his confidence. I doubt it will, but everyone has a breaking point.

-- Speaking of breaking points. Apparently Jim Tracy felt like Troy Tulowitzki was reaching his. He gave Tulo a "mental break" tonight. Just a day to collect his thoughts or something. But, um, I get the feeling it won't help, because something tells me it was more maddening for Tulowitzki to never swing a bat in a 2-1 loss than anything he could have done on the field. Not to mention watching the error.

-- Game changing moment(s): Carlos Gonzalez swinging at the first pitch with the bases loaded in the 5th. Jammed himself and grounded out weakly to shortstop. The first batter of Arizona's sixth reached on the Amezaga error. That was it. That quick.

-- I know I'm asking a question nobody can answer, but why are the Rockies so terrible on the bases? I mean it's one thing to make aggressive mistakes, which is the usual issue, but to overrun a base as Seth Smith did in the first. How does that happen? Why does that happen? How do we stop it from continuing to happen?

Someone in the clubhouse or front office might want to address that one.

-- On the other side, Xavier Nady swiping a bag has to be a sign that rock bottom is within sight, right? In total Arizona stole four bags in five attempts. Colorado never attempted one.

Four steals equals = 360 feet. 360 feet = 1 run. Rockies lost by one.

Not that they all eventually led to runs, but it's just giving yourself that chance to be in scoring position. All of those mean something is some way. Even if it just forces an intentional walk or a pitching change. They mean something.

-- Drew Goodman's press pass. Says it's the picture he took 18 years ago. He hasn't changed a bit...

-- Matt Reynolds. Matt Belisle and Rafael Betancourt: Your good work did not go unnoticed.

-- Jonathan Herrera: 1-for-1 with a double. It's criminal he hasn't started three of the last four games. Ridiculous would be another word. Are we completely sure it's not our manager than needs a mental break???

-- New day tomorrow. Maybe this will finally be the day Coors Field officially becomes a bad place for opponents to come.

Lineup Card: 5-25-11 Rockies vs Diamondbacks

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Last night's Recrap: Doubleheader Tuesday ends with a thud
• DruidLove Sports: No matter if we win we still lose 

Roster Moves

• Jorge De La Rosa to the 15-day DL
• Bruce Billings recalled from Triple A for a temporary long relief role
• Juan Nicasio will make his major league debut on Saturday vs. St. Louis

A lot of moving parts taking place to help fill the void left by De La Rosa. If Nicasio shows something on Saturday that would be nice, but I'm guarding my optimism. No doubt the talent is there, but is this the right time to bring him in, or is this an overreaction based on desperation? We shall see. 

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (24-23)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. RF Seth Smith
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. 1B Todd Helton
5. 3B Ty Wigginton
6. 2B Jose Lopez
7. C   Chris Iannetta
8. SS Alfredo Amezaga
9. P   Jason Hammel

Another day and another Lineup Card that reads the name Alfredo Amezaga but not Jonathan Herrera. What the hell is wrong with you Jim Tracy? I understand Troy Tulowitzki getting a mental day, but seriously? Your love for Amezaga is getting kinda nauseating.

Arizona Diamondbacks (24-24)

1. 3B Ryan Roberts
2. 2B Kelly Johnson
3. RF Justin Upton
4. SS Stephen Drew
5. CF Chris Young
6. C   Miguel Montero
7. 1B Xavier Nady
8. LF Gerardo Parra
9. P   Ian Kennedy

Rock Solid Recrap: Doubleheader Tuesday ends with a thud

Everybody knows by now the Colorado Rockies have lost starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa to a completely torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow. The Rockies, De La Rosa and his agent will evaluate the next logical steps on Wednesday, but all signs and symptoms point to Tommy John Surgery and a recovery period starting at 12 months.

*Sad face*

Obviously, this is a terrible loss to the Rockies on several levels. De La Rosa has been their most steady and consistent hurler. He's their lone left-handed starting option, which carries a lot of significance. Not to mention they just locked themselves into a possibly damanging contract with Jorge that should see him exercising an expensive player option come 2013.

But most of all you just feel bad for Jorge. The Rockies brought him in as a guy that was on his way out of the majors if things didn't work out. From there he's worked hard to develop into a rock solid number two option on a contending team. That's a nice leap and a good indication that the character of the player is strong.

So we wish him the best and hope a year from now we're welcoming him back and celebrating a successful return. All the best, Jorge.

Diamondbacks 5, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

-- Jhoulys Chacin was pretty good for the five first frames. Unfortunately, Arizona was able to square him up a bit in that 6th inning when they scored three times on three doubles. Kelly Johnson had one of those doubles. He also homered in the first. The guy is pretty much Arizona's version of Cody Ross or Pedro Feliz back in the day. A serial Rockies killer.

-- Owned by Joe Saunders. Where did this one rank on the scale of awful pitchers tying Rockies hitters in knots? I saw a comparison to Mike Pelfrey. That has to be right up there. But I think Casey Coleman has to top this dubious list.

-- Didn't help that Jim Tracy trotted out a less than inspring lineup in the nightcap. He must have known it too, because he was ready to head home by the 3rd inning.

-- Why did he need to give Jonathan Herrera and Seth Smith a game off. I mean really, it's necessary that Alfredo Amezaga gets his at-bats (hitting LEAD-OFF) and Ryan Spilborghs has to spell Smith against every lefty? The old platoon system isn't working. Time to feature your best players as much as possible.

-- On a positive note, Jason Giambi homered again. Not positive, he also left with a bruised elbow after a HBP.

-- That wraps a discouraging doubleheader Tuesday. A day that felt like it could be a positive turning point, ended up to driving us closer to a rock bottom we hoped we'd already reached. But that's baseball. The game constantly challenges you.

Good teams/players respond.

Lesser teams/players fold.

Lineup Card: 5-24-11 Rockies vs Diamondbacks (Game 2)

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you. 

Links

Game 1 Recap: Rockies offense lashes out violently

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (24-22)

1. 2B Alfredo Amezaga
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Jason Giambi
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. RF Ryan Spilborgh
8. C   Jose Morales
9. P   Jhoulys Chacin

Arizona Diamondbacks (23-24)

1. LF Ryan Roberts
2. 2B Kelly Johnson
3. CF Chris Young
4. SS Stephen Drew
5. 1B Xavier Nady
6. C   Miguel Montero
7. 3B Sean Burroughs
8. RF Gerardo Parra
9. P    Joe Saunders

Rock Solid Recap: Rockies offense lashes out violently

Jim Tracy: "Coors Field will be a bad place for opponents to come." (Denver Post)

For one game anyway, that's no Tracy horseshit.

Rockies 12, Diamondbacks 4 (boxscore)

-- Despite the offensive breakthrough, which was fantastic, the biggest storyline of the afternoon is the soreness in Jorge De La Rosa's elbow. No word at this time what the exact problem is there. All we can do is cross our fingers and hope to hear encouraging news, because that would be a very difficult setback to overcome even for a team's that playing consistently good baseball, which the Rockies are not.

-- I said after Sunday's game that the Rockies offense struggles to create runs. They do, but there's no need to create runs when you're stringing together quality at-bats and putting good swings on baseballs. That's what the Rockies started doing in the 4th inning, and it continued right on through until the end.

-- Carlos Gonzalez started the offense with a solo home run in the 4th. He also finished the offense with a two-run homer in the 7th. In between he drew a walk that loaded the bases and delivered an RBI groundout. That's a beautiful game from your three-hole hitter.

-- Other offensive heroes: Dexter Fowler (two hits, triple, two walks, two runs, two RBI), Seth Smith (home run, double, one run, two RBI), Jose Lopez (two hits), and Chris Iannetta (two hits, walk, two runs).

Damn that Dexter Fowler line was a good one. And I shouldn't forget about Troy Tulowitzki's bases loaded walk. That was a pivotal time in the game, so for Tulo to show that type of patience, and also confidence in the hitters behind him, is good to see.

-- Hats off to Greg Reynolds for his good relief this afternoon. Never easy being forced into duty due to injury, but he gave the Rockies exactly what they needed. Now it seems likely the Rockies will need him to make at least one start this weekend and potentially more depending on De La Rosa and Aaron Cook.

-- Role change: Rafael Betancourt pitched a 1-2-3 7th inning. It appears Matt Lindstrom was due to pitch the 8th, but the Rockies plated five in their half of the seventh so we got Matt Daley instead. Could be a temporary deal, but with how well Lindstrom has thrown, I wouldn't just hand the 8th inning back to Raffy once he figures it out.

-- Overlooked play: Really excellent play by Chris Iannetta fielding the wild pitch ricochet and firing a perfect strike to third to nail Melvin Mora. Definitely some luck involved there, but Iannetta made a nice play. That shut down a potential rally when the Rockies lead was still only 5-3. Big play.

-- That concludes the Game 1 recap. Game 2 recap to come later assuming the weather holds off.

Lineup Card: 5-24-11 Rockies vs Diamondbacks (Game 1)

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

Sunday's Recrap: Some thoughts on a bad baseball weekend

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (23-22)

1. 2B Jonathan Herrera
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. RF Seth Smith
7. 3B Jose Lopez
8. C  Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jorge De La Rosa

Jim Tracy sticks with the switch-a-roo at the top. Not sure what it accomplishes but in a way I'm happy to see it again if for no other reason than I thought maybe he did it special for Alfredo Amezaga on Sunday. So that's good to know he doesn't think Amezaga is worth changing the lineup for.

Arizona Diamondbacks (23-23)

1. SS Willie Bloomquist
2. 2B Ryan Roberts
3. RF Justin Upton
4. CF Chris Young
5. 1B Xavier Nady
6. 3B Melvin Mora
7. LF Gerardo Parra
8. C  Henry Blanco
9. P   Josh Collmenter

A win by Arizona in Game 1 and they pass the Rockies in the standings. That's a little nauseating, is it not?

Rock Solid Recrap: Some thoughts on a bad baseball weekend

Brewers 3, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

Brutal weekend for the Rockies. It looked like they may have turned a corner taking three of four from the Giants and Phillies leading into the Milwaukee series, but undid it all very quickly.

-- If I had a dollar for every time Bob Uecker said, "Wow, that inning was quick." when the Rockies were hitting this weekend, I'd have about $20 more than I did on Friday afternoon. The offense showed very little fight on Saturday or Sunday. Granted Shawn Marcum and Randy Wolf pitched well, but this team as constructed now is very limited in ways they can create offense.

No stolen bases threats. No real weapons off the bench. Yeah, I know Jason Giambi had four homers in two days, but his pinch-hitting has been unproductive. Ty Wigginton had a couple big hits before the injury and a nice game on Friday. I don't mind having him around, but Jose Lopez has been awful and Jose Morales really tailed off after a decent start.

We're two months in so I think we can safely say it's looking like Dan O'Dowd had a poor offseason. Things could still turn around, but between some of those names mentioned above and the Felipe Paulino disaster, he didn't add much. Matt Lindstrom being the obvious and overwhelming exception to the rule.

And forget the Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez contracts. We won't know how those look for awhile yet.

-- It's pretty simple with Ubaldo Jimenez: He's in a better place overall, but he's living on the edge too much. His inconsistent command is putting him one big swing away from having a bad inning/bad outing. Today he walked five and hit one. Unfortunately two of those came directly in front of one of only two hits he allowed -- a two-run triple to Ryan Braun.

Inability to consistently throw strikes also leads to sloppy defense behind him. That was also the case on Braun's triple. Dexter Fowler made an ill-advised dive on the play which allowed extra bases. He then missed the cut-off man on his throw in and Braun trotted home with a Little League home run.

To recap that: One walk. One HBP. One swing. A bad dive and a bad throw. Three quick runs for the Brewers.

-- As noted earlier, the Rockies can't buy a steal. That's one problem. Another problem is opposing baserunners stealing bases against them. Often times without even a throw. The Rockies have ten one-run losses. A lot of those have come down to 90 feet both ways. The importance of this can't be overlooked.

-- Ubaldo swinging with the bases loaded and one out. Yeah, that outcome wasn't predictable.

-- How about Troy Renck's article with quotes from Troy Tulowitzki on his ejection? Apparently Tulowitzki was ejected not because he was quick-pitched or anything like that, but because he felt the umpire wasn't positioned properly to make the call.

Oh boy. He would have been better off not saying anything. This only makes the situation sound more petty and silly. But that's the last I'll speak of it. Hopefully he'll learn from it, but the quotes don't leave me optimistic he will.

-- The Rockies have a day off to collect themselves before a doubleheader on Tuesday against Arizona. You hate to even think about it, but after that amazing start, they could end Tuesday under .500. Let's hope it goes the other way and they make a strong push towards June. They still have a better record than usual for late May, so a good recovery isn't too far away.

Lineup Card: 5-22-11 Rockies @ Brewers

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

Yesterday's Recrap: One-run losses piling up

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (23-21)

1. 2B Alfredo Amezaga
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. 3B Jose Lopez
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Ubaldo Jimenez

Lineup shakeup alert! Dexter Fowler drops to #2 against a left-handed pitcher. Alfredo Amezaga leading off. Let's see how this works out for Mr. Tracy.

Milwaukee Brewers (23-23)

1. 2B Rickie Weeks
2. RF Mark Kotsay
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. 3B Casey McGehee
6. SS Yuniesky Betancourt
7. C   Wil Nieves
8. CF Carlos Gomez
9. P   Randy Wolf 

Rock Solid Recrap: One-run losses piling up

Brewers 3, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

For the third time on this road trip, the Colorado Rockies dropped a one-run decision.

They're now 6-10 in one-run decisions on the season, which is a better mark than I would have guessed, but still far from acceptable. Sometimes you do tip your cap to the competition in these games, as should be the case tonight with how well Shawn Marcum pitched. But when it follows a one-run loss like last night's, it tests your patience as a fan.

Also of concern is the Rockies 2-8 record in their last ten road games. It's not like they're getting run off the field on a nightly basis, or not putting up a fight. It's just a struggle to put nine whole innings together for this team. It's been that way for close to a month. Until that changes the frustrations will keep mounting.

-- Clayton Mortensen continued his excellent work with 6 2/3, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB and 5 K. Pretty similar to the outing of Jason Hammel last night: 6 2/3, 8 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB and 1 K. You'll take that against Milwaukee's excellent offense. Especially in their ballpark when they are very comfortable. Unfortunately, they were wasted outings.

-- Dexter Fowler was caught stealing again. It's sad. So much speed. So much raw athletic ability. Can't steal a base to save his life. At what point do the Rockies invest in someone to work with him? Or do they just let it go and give away outs on the bases and/or via the bunt?

-- Matt Daley has added new life to the bullpen. And by new life I mean he's actually getting people out. Six up, six down in his first two outings. All three via the strikeout tonight.

-- Felipe Paulino has been designated for assignment. Baseball rapture at its finest!

Sounds like Greg Reynolds will get the call in his place. Reynolds will start a game at some point this week. Probably Saturday, but his early arrival could make Tuesday a possibility. We'll see.

-- Jose Lopez has been a train wreck in the field this weekend. Not much better at the dish. He may be next on the DFA hitlist if he can't find traction real soon.

-- Not much else to say after this one since 96% of us didn't get to see it. Hope the Rockies pull it together and head back to Coors Field on a winning note Sunday afternoon. Maybe we'll even get a W from Ubaldo. Would seem fitting the way this week has gone.

Lineup Card: 5-21-11 Rockies @ Brewers

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you. 

Links

• Yesterday's Recrap: Reoccurring nightmare strikes again
• Rockies Woman: Pauli-NO MORE

Felipe Paulino is still on the roster. I guess Dan O'Dowd couldn't find a sucker. So Jim Tracy has to manage with a 23-man roster. Todd Helton doesn't seem to be available, and there's no way in Hell he'll want to use Paulino. Not even Jim Tracy can be that stubborn.

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (23-20)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 3B Jose Lopez
7. 1B Ty Wigginton
8. C   Jose Morales
9. P   Clayton Mortensen

Milwaukee Brewers (22-23)

1. 2B Rickie Weeks
2. RF Corey Hart 
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. 3B Casey McGehee
6. SS Yuniesky Betancourt
7. C   Jonathan Lucroy
8. CF Carlos Gomez
9. P    Shawn Marcum

Rock Solid Recrap: Reoccurring nightmare strikes again

I'm not talking about the nightmare on Huston Street, although his recent string of home runs allowed is a growing concern to be sure. And I'm not talking about the scary thoughts that go through my mind between every Rafael Betancourt pitch. Believe me there's time for a lot of them.

(Both of those pitchers played their part in Friday's gut-wrenching and infuriating loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. There's no denying if they do their jobs, there's a much happier ending. But.)

I'm talking about Felipe Paulino. Very possibly the worst pitcher to wear a Rockies uniform in ten years. And here some people thought we traded that guy on Thursday. Nope. Paulino makes Franklin Morales look like Billy Wagner by comparison. Morales has major league stuff. Paulino has a straight fastball that begs to be hit 450 feet.

That's exactly what Prince Fielder did in the 14th inning. It was a moment everybody predicted would happen the second Paulino began warming up. It was his first official blown save of the season, and his fourth loss in the past three weeks. All of them have looked the same. He looked like a guy that couldn't get major league hitters out, and he didn't.

But as awful as he's been, you can't really get mad at the man himself. He's shown us who he is. We obviously don't like what we see because he's terrible and we want the Rockies to win every day. But for some reason, what we've seen for six weeks still hasn't sunk in with Jim Tracy and Dan O'Dowd. They're the ones who keep stubbornly sending a person to the mound who's not equipped to handle the job. They're the ones who come under fire for this.

Paulino = bad. O'Dowd & Tracy = clueless.

We're ****ed meter: Clueless management > Bad pitcher

And I'm putting that as kindly as I can.

If Felipe Paulino is still on this roster when I post the Lineup Card later today. So help me. I don't know what I'll write, but it probably won't be as kind as what I wrote here.

Brewers 7, Rockies 6 in 14 (boxscore)

-- Jason Hammel pitched a really nice game. He left in the 7th inning with a lead over Zack Greinke. What more can you honestly ask for? A home run? That's not really fair, but he hit one of those, too. Great game.

But it was pissed away. You have an improbable win handed to you on a silver platter and it's gone. Those are the losses that haunt you for weeks and months. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants continue winning one-run games like it's the easiest task in the world.

-- Jason Giambi hit another home run. It's an awesome stretch for him. Hope it continues.

-- Troy Tulowitzki lost his composure on a night when this team NEEDED his presence in the field and in the lineup. No Helton. No Cargo. Tulowitzki has to be the leader in that scenario. He can't lead from the clubhouse because he had to settle a pissing match with the home plate umpire. I'm deeply troubled by what happened here. He's supposed to set the tone and lead by example. If that's his leadership, it's no wonder this team gets frazzled so easily.

Lineup Card: 5-20-11 Rockies @ Brewers

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's Recap: Three times a Giambi
• Big League Stew: Standing tall: Giambi tweaks stance, hits three bombs in Philly
• Big League Stew: "Macho Man" Randy Savage played in Cardinals, Reds systems 

Rest in Peace: "Macho Man" Randy Savage. One of the greatest performers in any form of entertainment. Simply brilliant.

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (23-19)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. SS Troy Tulowitzki
4. 1B Jason Giambi
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 3B Jose Lopez
7. LF Ty Wigginton
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jason Hammel

No Todd Helton or Carlos Gonzalez listed on the card tonight. This gives Hammel, as is usually the case, the worst possible defense behind him. Of course this time it's out of Jim Tracy's hands.Milwaukee Brewers (21-23)

1. 2B Rickie Weeks
2. RF Corey Hart
3. LF Ryan Braun
4. 1B Prince Fielder
5. 3B Casey McGehee
6. SS Yuniesky Betancourt
7. C   Mike Rivera
8. CF Carlos Gomez
9. P    Zack Greinke

Giambi's homered off Greinke before in a Rockies uniform. Let's go for two years in a row. 

Rock Solid Recap: Three times a Giambi

Zero hits in five weeks. Defensive liability. Manager wasn't giving him any starts at first base in recent weeks. I'd say anybody -- myself included -- that was questioning Jason Giambi's place on the Colorado Rockies roster had plenty of validation to do so.

Heck, he probably wasn't even going to be in Thursday's lineup if not for Todd Helton's back stiffening up on him. But like any proud person does when faced with criticism and given an opportunity to prove doubters incorrect, Giambi stepped up on Thursday night in the biggest way imaginable.

Watch Jason Giambi's first home run

Watch Jason Giambi's second home run

Watch Jason Giambi's third home run

His first career three home run game. He tied a career high with seven RBI. Amazing night.

And we have to give credit where credit is due. Jim Tracy spotted a flaw in Giambi's batting stance during a film session with hitting coach Carney Lansford. Giambi listened to the suggestion to stand more upright at the dish, adjusted, and baseball history was made.

Hats off to all of them for working together to make this special game possible.

Rockies 7, Phillies 1 (boxscore)

-- Speaking of special game's, Jhoulys Chacin's performance was unreal. He dominated the Phillies from start to finish. Granted, their lineup is far from full strength, but that's not his concern. His concern is to beat who's in front of him, and he handled his business like an established ace. It was a joy to watch.

-- Jose Lopez had four hits on Thursday. I don't know if anyone helped him with his stance, but that's a pretty damn good confidence builder for him. As nice as Giambi's game was on several levels, Lopez's performance could be more important long-term if he can build on it.

-- Oh my, Chris Iannetta, 0-for-5 with four strikeouts and another wild pitch allowed that led to a run. That means all three Philadelphia runs in the series came courtesy of a wild pitch/passed ball. He did do a much better job as the game moved along at blocking pitches, so that was good. And once again he called an excellent game, so you'll take the good with the bad.

-- Felipe Paulino pitched a scoreless ninth inning. I know... this was bizarro night at Citizens Bank Park.

-- And how about this for a nightcap: Franklin Morales was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later. Good for Dan O'Dowd for making a tough decision with Morales. It can't be easy to give up on a 25-year-old lefty with a nice arm. Especially knowing if Morales turns it around this has the chance to look like a terrible move. But O'Dowd can't worry about that right now. The Rockies have to field their best 25. This puts them one step closer to that.

Gutsy call all things considered. I respect it and hope it works out for all involved.

Lineup Card: 5-19-11 Rockies @ Phillies

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's Recrap: Rockies lose by 270 feet
• All Things Rockies: Todd Helton has a stiff back
• Purple Row: Fans (Lack of) Confidence and Pinch Hitters

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (22-19)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Jason Giambi
6. RF Seth Smith
7. 3B Jose Lopez
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jhoulys Chacin

Philadelphia Phillies (26-16)

1. SS Jimmy Rollins
2. CF Michael Martinez
3. 3B Placido Polanco
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. RF Ross Gload
6. LF Raul Ibanez
7. C   Carlos Ruiz
8. 2B Pete Orr
9. P   Joe Blanton

Yeah, this lineup isn't all that scary. Go get'em, Jhoulys. 

Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies lose by 270 feet

It was an old fashioned pitcher's duel at Citizens Bank Park between Jorge De La Rosa and Cole Hamels. Unfortunately, Hamels got the best of it, striking out eight and allowing only five hits and one run over eight innings.

That left De La Rosa as a tough luck loser. He'll have to settle for a complete game as consolation prize, having lasted eight innings with five hits and two runs (one earned) allowed.

Phillies 2, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

With both pitcher's dealing, this game really game came down to one interesting baserunning decision and two different pitches that cost the Colorado Rockies 270 feet.

In the first, Alfredo Amezaga singled with one out. The next batter, Carlos Gonzalez, pulled a single to right field that John Mayberry Jr. charged, fielded cleanly in shallow right field, and made a great throw to nip Amezaga at third. It was an aggressive attempt. Not sure how smart it was, but I know the result was costly for Colorado.

The two pitches occurred later. Chris Iannetta committed a passed ball in the fifth that put a runner at third with one out. And then Jorge De La Rosa tossed a wild pitch in the eighth that also put a runner at third with one out.

In both instances the Phillies cashed that runner in. In a game that ended up 2-1, I'd say that was pretty significant. You tip your cap to them for executing, but it was very frustrating from my perspective because I really thought Chris Iannetta could have done a better job preventing those runners from advancing.

I've never donned the tools of ignorance at any point in my life, so I have no experience attempting to do what I'm being critical of here. But there's no denying Iannetta's technique can be sloppy from time to time. That he gets into stretches where his first reaction is to backhand everything. If you're expecting a fastball up and it's two feet in front of the plate, it's going to be difficult to block it with the proper technique, but it's impossible when your first instinct is to backhand it.

Heck, sometimes Chris will backhand pitches on the inside corner and take them right out of the strike zone. I don't think that's what he wants to be doing there, but again, I have no catching experience.

I was probably too harsh in my tweet on the wild pitch. But it was frustrating to watch. It may seem like a minor thing overall, but on a night when run scoring opportunities were scarce and every 90 feet was of the utmost importance, it was magnified.

To Iannetta's credit, he called a terrific game. He had De La Rosa's full trust with the game plan and that led to a gem. The offense just couldn't get anything going against Cole Hamels. And then they wasted Seth Smith's lead-off double in the ninth with Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Giambi all striking out.

And no doubt there were some questionable strike calls mixed in there.

Hopefully the Rockies can put this one behind them and head into tomorrow's game maintaining the confidence they built sweeping San Francisco. There's no shame in splitting in Philadelphia.

Lineup Card: 5-18-11 Rockies @ Phillies

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's Recap: Make Giants play defense, you win
• Purple Row: Know Your Foe: Phillies
• Purple Row: Ian Stewart did what?
• Rockies Review: Polarizing Rockies must ride momentum
• Rockies Woman: Comeback Kids

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (22-18)

1. CF Dexter Fowler 
2. 2B Alfredo Amezaga
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. 3B Jose Lopez
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jorge De La Rosa

Uh oh... looks like Jim Tracy is developing a little crush on Alfredo Amezaga. See what happens when you get a good bunt down?

Philadelphia Phillies (25-16)

1. SS Jimmy Rollins
2. CF Michael Martinez
3. 3B Placido Polanco
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. RF John Mayberry
6. LF Raul Ibanez
7. C   Carlos Ruiz
8. 2B Wilson Valdez
9. P    Cole Hamels

Boy, you take Jayson Werth, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino out of their lineup and we're looking at the San Diego Padres all over again. Oh, crap, the Padres took two of three over the weekend. Forget I said anything. 

Rock Solid Recap: Make Giants play defense, you win

The San Francisco Giants can't blame suspicious baseballs for their loss on Tuesday, they can blame their own suspicious and shittious defense. For the second straight day, an awful throwing error by their starting pitcher cracked the door open for Colorado, and for the second straight day the Rockies made them pay.

Today hereos were Dexter Fowler, who won a nine pitch battle with Javier Lopez by delivering an RBI ground rule double over the head of Andres Torres. That tied the game at three.

Watch Fowler's double

Two batters later, Carlos Gonzalez pulled a two-run single through the drawn in infield to get the Rockies the lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Watch Cargo's big hit

By the way, the error came on an Aflredo Amezaga sacfrice bunt attempt with first and second and no outs. The pinch-bunter did his job this time, and Jim Tracy's relentless attempts to win a game with a bunt finally worked. Genius for a day... or at least an inning.

Watch Sanchez's error

Rockies 5, Giants 3 (boxscore)

But the Rockies would have never had a shot to rally late if not for the good work by Ubaldo Jimenez. The big right-hander would tell you he's still not on his game, but today's effort was a step up from his previous best efforts this season. Whether he can maintain consistency or build on it remains to be seen, but today was nice.

Mechanics still aren't perfect. Velocity was better (94-97), but not top notch. It's still a work in progress, but at least you feel like if he was hurt, you wouldn't get performances like today. So I guess we'll see what's next.

Nice work by Matt Belisle to pitch a scoreless 8th inning. That allowed him to pick up his 4th win of the season, which ties him for second on the team and is four more than Ubaldo.

How about another single digit pitch save for Huston Street? He only needed nine last night (all strikes) and seven today (six strikes) to pick up saves 13 and 14. It's not dominant, it's efficient. Either/or can give you the results you need.

Watch Huston turn two

And we can't forget Troy Tulowitzki hitting home run number 11. That was an important run as well.

Watch Tulo's blast

Another great day at Coors Field, where the Rockies go back over .500 at 11-10. I don't know which win in this series was bigger, but I do know this was the most important 24 hour period of the Rockies season so far. And yes, that includes a 24 hour period in New York where they won three times.