Rock Solid Recrap: Tape Measure Home Runs & One Really Dumb Bunt

Athletics 8, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Starting pitching. Jeremy Guthrie. You know the drill.

Jeremy Guthrie's Line: 5 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 3 HR, 102 pitches (66 strikes)

The three home runs traveled nearly 1/4th of a mile put together. Two were hit by Brandon Moss, who was in the minor leagues a few days ago and has been a journeyman pinch-hitter the past six seasons. The other was hit by light-hitting shortstop Cliff Pennington. I wish I could say I was kidding.

Turning Point: Well, Oakland's six-run 3rd inning that erased the Rockies 4-0 lead was certainly the biggest turning point, but there's only so many things I can say about our pitching without getting physically ill.

Another came when the Rockies were hitting in the 6th, trailing 7-5. Wil Nieves led off the inning with his second single. Pinch-hitter Eric Young followed that up with a walk. That brought us back to the top of the Rockies order where their hottest hitter, Tyler Colvin, was penciled in this evening. Colvin was 1-for-2 at this point with a home run (fourth in last three games) and a walk. So naturally, Jim Tracy has Colvin lay down a sacrifice bunt, which to Colvin's credit he did and did well.

Unfortunately, like everybody following along on Twitter (and not following along on Twitter) predicted, the bunt killed the potential rally. Four pitches later (Scutaro groundout, CarGo strikeout), the inning was dead, and Jim Tracy sat alone in the dugout figuring out which player he wanted to bus toss for his own ignorant decision.

Highlight of the Night: Tyler Colvin was a beast tonight. In addition to the home run and sacrifice bunt, he also walked twice and turned in what could be the Rockies best defensive play this season when he robbed Cliff Pennington of his second home run.

Screengrabs of the Game

That's Jeremy Guthrie walking off the mound a bit early in the first inning. Although the 0-2 pitch looked like a strike, it was ruled a ball. 

Klatt was quite proud of the Moss-ed line. So much so that he called him Brandon Mossed.  Oh well, wasn't as bad as Jumbo Trumbo Mark Shrumbo.

What's Next: Game two comes your way Wednesday at 6:40. Josh Outman (0-2, 8.18) will throw for Colorado, making his first start against his former team. Oakland counters with Tom Milone (6-5, 3.77), who moves up one day for the injured Brandon McCarthy.

Final Thoughts: The Rockies are now 0-7 in interleague play after dropping game one to Oakland and being swept by the Mariners and Angels. All of those games were at home. The Rockies will finish up interleague play with road series in Detroit and Texas, which to me says winning one of the final two games against Oakland could be necessary if they hope to avoid an embarrassing 0-15 mark vs. the AL.

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