Giants 4, Rockies 2 (boxscore)
What Went Wrong: Death, taxes, and no-hit bids against the Rockies offense one day after they seemingly break out of a funk. Regardless of the lineup over the past three years, we can always counts on that.
Today, Madison Bumgarner carried his bid into the sixth. That's where Tyler Colvin, who had just entered the game as part of a double switch, led off with a lefty on lefty single — played into a triple by Melky Cabrera — and eventually scored the Rockies first run. Colvin also had a 13-pitch at-bat (flyout) in the eighth and a 5-pitch, bases loaded walk in the ninth, making him the Rockies best offensive player essentially on an off day. That's a problem in and of itself.
The Rockies also had another critical defensive lapse in this game. Allow me to expand on that one.
Turning Point: Dexter Fowler's error.
That's right, Drifting Dexter dropped a routine flyball — leading to two unearned runs (check out the final score) — just days after Casual CarGo dropped one in the home opener — leading to three unearned runs.
It's frustrating because I've harped on that "look how cool I am catching this flyball while stylin" nonsense since Fowler embarrassed himself in San Diego a couple years ago and have been told to lighten up more times than not. I doubt I'll hear that today after it once again bit Dexter Fowler on the ass and ultimately cost the Rockies and Jamie Moyer a chance to win this game and a divisional series.
Fowler's RBI single the next half inning may have been enough retribution for some, but not me. In fact, two innings later he was already back to his casual self, this time flagging down the Bumgarner flyball with a basket catch... and forgetting the number of outs in the process. Thankfully there were three, but it was just another sign that his head wasn't where it needed to most of this afternoon.
You know, if all of that stuff Jim Tracy and Dan O'Dowd fed us this offseason really means anything. If changing the culture and playing the game a certain way (the right way is my preference) is the message they're sending us, then a couple days on the pine for Fowler would be in order. That's especially true with the way Colvin played today. He should have earned a start or two this weekend.
Of course I'm not counting on Fowler sitting for even one day, so for now it's business as usual at 20th and Blake.
Screengrab of the Game
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| Troy Tulowitzki looks towards center field after Dexter Fowler's error. (MLB.TV) |
Jamie Moyer's Line: 5 2/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 8 H, BB, 3 K
Much like his first start, Moyer wasn't necessarily good or bad today. He was just Jamie Moyer — a pitcher with limited ability that won't win you the game through his performance, but more times than not won't lose it, either.
As I said on Saturday, he needs the support of his defense to achieve success more than anyone currently pitching in the game, and the reason he hasn't enjoyed great success so far is because the Rockies have committed five errors in his two starts. Embarrassing.
Highlight of the Afternoon: Yup, it was Tyler Colvin's walk. Like I said before, he had three terrific plate appearances today, but I'm especially impressed with his patience hitting in the ninth representing the winning run. That's a spot where many hitters get themselves out, but Colvin battled and broke down a clearly laboring Brian Wilson en route to extending the game.
What's Next: The Rockies will welcome in the defending National League West Champion Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night for the first of a three-game series. Juan Nicasio will make his return to the Coors Field mound in that one, and he'll be matched up against a double tough Arizona lineup and their No. 2 starter Daniel Hudson.
More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton
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