Thursday, May 31, 2012

Rock Solid Recap: The Astros Are Welcome To Stay

Rockies 11, Astros 5 (boxscore)

I don't just mean for the weekend either. I mean stay for the entire summer and then come back again in 2013 instead of moving to the American League.

Please?

Winning Players: The entire offense

We're at a point now where it's impossible to pick out two or third players, let alone select a single player. That's how hot this offense is right now. Everybody is hitting where they should be. Everybody is clicking and contributing. It doesn't matter if you remove a key part like Troy Tulowitzki, the line keeps on moving and producing.

It's so much fun to watch from our perspective. It's a nightmare for the opposing manager and pitching coach, because there's really not an adjustment they can make when it reaches this level. All they can do is hope that particular game is the one where it slows down on its own. All we can do is hope it never does, because our starting pitching is still our starting pitching.

Turning Point: More like an exclamation point. Carlos Gonzalez's 1st inning three-run homer made him the 22nd major leaguer to homer in four straight at-bats. It's also gave the Rockies a 3-0 start. After RBI doubles by Todd Helton and Jordan Pacheco, it was a five-run first.

The Rockies then added four more in the second behind RBIs from Michael Cuddyer (2), Wilin Rosario and Jordan Pacheco... again. Houston was never going to recover from that onslaught unless Craig Biggo, Jeff Bagwell and Tony Eusebio came out of retirement.

Highlight of the Night: Watch Carlos Gonzalez's three-run homer

Jeremy Guthrie's Line: 7 IP, 5 ER, 12 H, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 99 pitches (62 strikes)

It wasn't pretty by any stretch, but the Rockies offense made it work. It's also nice to see a starter get through seven innings... period. Then you look at the zero walks and the one solo home run allowed and you again know the opposition earned what they got. I can live with that part, but we all know it has to get better for Guthrie, and it probably won't unless he somehow learns to strike people out.

Screengrab of the Game
A long lost Ringolsby?
What's Next: The Los Angeles Dodgers come to town minus their superstar Matt Kemp. That's great news for Friday's starter Josh Outman (0-1, 9.64 - all in relief). He'll be opposed by left-hander Chris Capuano (7-1, 2.14), who for some inexplicable reason is pitching like he's Ryan Vogelsong in 2011. First pitch is the usual 6:40 MT

Final Thoughts: Check back in the morning for my May Review and Player Rankings. After that, I'll be on the road for the weekend and back recapping and recapping next Tuesday. Hopefully the Rockies win streak will be doubled by then.

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton

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