Lackluster Recrap: Hammel's struggles continue

D-Backs 12, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

Let's keep this short and sweet tonight.

Wish I could tell you what was wrong with Jason Hammel. Some people think he's distracted and disengaged. I wouldn't be surprised if he was hurting. Either the back injury that knocked him out a handful of starts ago, or something that developed because he pitched through that. Maybe it's a dead arm, or maybe he's just regressed to being a fringe rotation guy.

I don't know, but whatever it is is coming at the worst time. With Aaron Cook struggling. With Juan Nicasio learning on the fly. With Ubaldo and Jhoulys trading off being good, the Rockies need Hammel to ascend to and sustain being a dependable middle of the rotation guy. Instead, he's bouncing back and forth between decent outings and ugly outings.

Here's the line: 5 2/3 IP, 12 H (ick), 8 ER (career high), 4 BB, 7 K (not bad)

He actually rallied in the final 3+ innings to make the numbers look more respectable, but this was still a flat out ugly outing. He desperately needs a rebound next weekend in San Diego.

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Lineup Card: 7-23-11 Rockies @ 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 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you every night game and some afternoon games.

Links

Yesterday's Recap: Back and forth we go

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (48-52)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Mark Ellis 
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. LF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C  Eliezer Alfonzo
9. P   Jason Hammel

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Rock Solid Recap: Back and forth we go

The resilient version of the Colorado Rockies showed up on Friday night, coming from behind twice to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Rockies 8, D-Backs 4 (boxscore)

Aaron Cook was the beneficiary on the mound, picking up his first win since 1975 or so. But credit goes to him as well. Despite struggling early and seeming destined for another short and disappointing outing, Cook steadied himself on the mound and even contributed a pair of hits, a run and an RBI at the plate.

Good for him.

He's still pretty close to finished, but it's a feel good moment for a pitcher and person I respect a lot.

Offense

Guess who was the driving force of the offense again... Yes, Dexter Fowler. He is absolutely swinging the bat the best he has in his career. This just weeks after bottoming out, getting sent to AAA, and somehow bottoming out even more there. Seriously, the numbers he put up there the first three weeks were scary, but the Rockies showed faith, and Fowler's confidence is soaring since his return.

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