Rangers 4, Rockies 2 (boxscore)
What Went Wrong: 11 more hits for the Rockies tonight, raising their series total to 39. Unfortunately, this game resembled the one on Friday where they left 10 men on base (Tonight the number was 11), which is sad because they absolutely had a chance to win Friday's game with a couple well timed hits. They also had a chance to compete tonight with a couple well timed hits... and less bone-headed baserunning.
Turning Point: Speaking of which, the Rockies didn't break through against the Rangers until the 9th inning when they snapped Joe Nathan's long scoreless streak (since May 13). And it appeared they were right on the cusp of evening the score when Nathan uncorked a wild pitch. But of course, the Rockies screwed this up, because lead runner Eric Young decided he couldn't advance to third safely. Trail runner Marco Scutaro kept on moving, causing a traffic jam at second and a rundown that Texas pretty much botched in epic Rockies style, only the Rockies out botched them almost immediately.
How? Well, Scutaro started heading back to first, which drew the throw from catcher Mike Napoli. This allowed Scutaro to turn tail and scamper into second base just ahead of the second throw and tag. But Scutaro, for whatever reason, thought he was out, so he LEAVES the base and then is tagged out for real to kill the rally dead.
So in the span of five days we had a Gold Glove first baseman lose track of the base in the 9th inning. Now we have this latest bone-headed play from Scutaro, who has honestly looked like the dumbest player to come through Colorado in 20 years. It's one unexplainable mental gaffe after another. And yes, the last two series in Philadelphia and Texas were there for the taking. But the Rockies are far more interested in giving.
Pathetic.
Alex White's Line: 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 79 pitches (40 strikes)
Good God that's a brutal pitching line. TEN baserunners in less than three innings? Almost EIGHTY pitches in less than three innings?. Barely HALF of those pitches strikes? I think it might be time for White to go for one of those mechanical tune ups Drew Pomeranz is currently getting. There's really no good reason to continue letting twist in the wind.
Jeremy Guthrie's Line: 3 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 53 pitches (28 strikes)
- The two strikeouts were Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton (seriously).
- He pitched around a lead-off double in the 4th.
- He pitched around a one-out double in the 5th.
- He pitched around his own throwing to begin the 6th, which Elvis Andrus to start the inning at third.
- His ERA (6.34) is now lower than Alex White's (6.45).
This looked a lot like the Jeremy Guthrie who pitched in Baltimore. It wasn't always necessarily good or pretty, but he found ways to escape and survive.
Jim Tracy Screengrabs of the Game
What's Next: The Rockies return to Coors Field on Monday to open up a four-game series with the NL East leading Washington Nationals. And we'll get at look at their ace (and possible All-Star Game starter) Stephen Strasburg (9-1, 2.46), in that opener. The Rockies will counter with their de facto ace Jeff Francis (0-1, 8.56).
Just a slight difference in numbers.
Oh, and Bryce Harper will be there, too.
Final Thoughts: Please, please, please read this summation of the Dan O'Dowd interview that aired on 850 KOA (I believe prior to Saturday's game) provided by (@ChrisChrisman).
It sheds new light on the Rockies four-man rotation gimmick, and pretty much confirms what we were already thinking about Dan O'Dowd. He's officially run out of ideas for competing at Coors Field, and it sounds as though he's going to need a little couch time to get over this experience once it ends.
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