Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Run Out Of Chances (Literally and Figuratively)

Padres 3, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: The Rockies fell behind early. (1-0 after one, 2-0 after two) and completely FAILED to make Edinson Volquez pay for his wildness (four walks in 5 1/3). Those failures included back-to-back walks (on eight pitches) by Volquez in the 2nd that resulted in back-to-back baserunners being thrown out at second base.

First it was Michael Cuddyer, who had the bag stole but was tagged after sliding over the base. Seriously. Next it was Wilin Rosario, who was thrown out by Nick Hundley trying to advance on a ball in the dirt.


You can't make this stuff up.

Turning Point: For the most part this was a blah game that seemed headed in San Diego's direction right off the bat. The Rockies did mount one big threat though in the 6th.

One batter after Marco Scutaro won a 12-pitch at-bat with a lead-off single, Carlos Gonzalez drove him home with a broken bat single that made it 3-2 San Diego. Troy Tulowitzki then walked, setting the stage for Todd Helton and Michael Cuddyer.

Bud Black then went to his bullpen, summoning lefty Joe Thatcher to face Helton. A battle Thatcher won with a strikeout. Next, Black called on right-hander Brad Brach to pitch to Cuddyer. Brach won that battle, also with a strikeout, to end the inning.

No Rockie would reach base in the final three innings.

Drew Pomeranz's Line: 3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 58 pitches (34 strikes)

Pomeranz left the game early after being struck on the leg by an Edinson Volquez line drive. The injury actually occurred in the 2nd inning. Pomeranz would stay in the game then, hit his first career home run in the 3rd, but then struggled in the bottom half before exiting as the leg began to stiffen up.

But he probably wasn't long for the game anyway at that point. He'd also struggled with command (and lost velocity) in the first two innings, and wasn't fooling many. Just another all around rough night for a Rockies starter. Only this time it went beyond performance and results.

Highlight of the Night: Speaking of that Drew Pomeranz home run...


The home run trot could use a little work. The swing, however, was beautiful.

And to make it a little bit cooler, he did it on the same night his older brother Stu made his big league debut for Baltimore.

The reaction to Drew Pomeranz's big fly.
Screengrab of the Game

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this has happened to Poor Eric Young Jr. 

Two years ago in San Francisco, the folks at CSN Bay Area took it upon themselves to significantly upgrade the Rockies centerfield position at his expense. 


Of course it's much sadder when the home broadcast makes this type of error.

And yes, without question, this is all Joel Klatt's fault.

San Diego has baseball fever. 
What's Next: The Rockies confirmed on Monday that Alex White will be making his 2012 debut Tuesday night in San Diego. If he falters, YOU — yes, YOU — could be starting next Monday in San Francisco.

The Padres will counter with veteran Jeff Suppan (1-0, 0.00), and his first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 ET. Hopefully his final pitch comes around 8:20.

Final Thought: Josh Roenicke has a fringe big league arm in the eyes of many, but has really competed hard to keep his spot and continues to give Jim Tracy a big inning here, multiple innings there (like the three scoreless tonight), and almost always allows the Rockies to stay above water when he throws. Of course he's better in low pressure situations than high pressure, but outs are outs. The Rockies need outs.

I just wanted to acknowledge that.

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

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