Friday, July 15, 2011

Rock Solid Recap: How did the Rockies spend their break?

Apparently they spent it relearning how to hit. How about a season high 20 knocks -- 11 coming off Yovani Gallardo -- in a dominating home win over the Brewers.

Rockies 12, Brewers 3 (boxscore)

I admit the offensive outburst caught me off guard, but I don't think anyone could be more shocked than Ubaldo Jimenez. This just doesn't happen for him. If only he could reallocate some of those runs to previous and future starts where the Rockies left or will leave him with no room to work.

But let's give Ubaldo his credit, too. He chipped in delivering a run scoring single in the 2nd. That was very big, especially on the heels of the Yovani Gallardo RBI double against him. And he really earned the win on the mound pitching six solid innings against a strong Brewers offense.

His line: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Three positives

1. Ian Stewart: Has he finally turned that corner? Back-to-back mult-hit games. Three hits in this one. A pair of doubles, including one that was very well struck to the opposite field against a left-handed opponent. Woah now.

I'll just leave it at this: I'm cautiously optimistic, but definitely encouraged.

2. Ryan Spilborghs: And the same words could be used to described Ryan Spilborghs four-hit game. He certainly needed this, and the Rockies definitely need more from him no matter what role he's playing.

The funny thing I think these are the two guys that are battling for playing time. Ty Wigginton is going to be in there everyday. They'd probably prefer it be at third where he's more comfortable, but Jim Tracy has shown repeatedly he has no qualms using him in left. So who gets bumped from the lineup when CarGo is ready: Stewart or Spilborghs?

Or maybe Seth Smith. Who knows with Jim Tracy.

3. Chris Iannetta: It pains me so much to recognize Chris on a night when he lost track of outs. Dude, you're the catcher. You're running the show out there. Be aware. That's like a quarterback spiking the ball on fourth down. It's inexcusable.

BUT. He did bounce back with a couple hits and helped keep the offense moving. In the end it's a really good for him, because of that, and because I promise you he won't lose track of outs again anytime soon.

Overall

That was a good way to start the second half of the season. But it's one game. 1-0. The next most important thing is going 1-0 on Friday and so on. But first, 1-0 on Friday. The end.

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