Rock Solid Recrap: I'll Have Another

Mariners 10, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

I'll let you decide if that was a horse racing reference or a reaction to today's Rockies game.

Hint: It's both.

What Went Wrong: I'll take the Gregg Popovich approach here.

*Non-answer because the question is repetitive and the answer is obvious*

Next question.

Christian Friedrich's Line: 5 IP, 8 ER, 9 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 100 pitches (56 strikes)

I'm not even annoyed with Friedrich for the first walk. His 3-2 pitch to Jesus Montero was right at the knees and caught the outside corner, but Paul Schrieber plain and simply squeezed him. Of course Kyle Seager's two-run homer followed that, and things predictably unraveled from there with three more walks and some pesky Mariners hitting that saw them using the entire field to their advantage.

So yeah, this certainly was not an encouraging Coors Field debut for Friedrich, but I'm still confident his stuff is plenty good enough to succeed in Coors Field as long as the walks are limited. That's what killed him today. That's what kills everybody.

Turning Point: I'll go with the 3-2 pitch to Montero that I mentioned above. Who knows, maybe if Schrieber rings Montero up there it changes Friedrich's outlook. It really was a perfect pitcher's pitch. To not get that call had to stick with him. Not that I'm making excuses for Friedrich, but there's undoubtedly a fine mental line that young pitchers walk in Coors Field. It doesn't take much to knock them off balance.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mariners 5-19-12

Friday's Recrap: Owned by Kevin Millwood. That's pretty close to Rock Bottom.

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (15-23)

1. Marco Scutaro (2B)
2. Tyler Colvin (RF)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
5. Michael Cuddyer (1B)
6. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
7. Wilin Rosario (C)
8. Dexter Fowler (CF)
9. Christian Friedrich (P)

Today's big question: Does this lineup have more than two hits in it?

I've going with yes. In fact, I'm predicting at least 15 hits because this will be one of those home games where the offense overcorrects itself after a brutal performance. You know, kinda like they did after Barry Zito shut them out and then they went nuts on Tim Lincecum. One of those deals.

Seattle Mariners (17-24)

1. Dustin Ackley (2B)
2. Casper Wells (LF)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
4. Jesus Montero (C) 
5. Kyle Seager (3B) 
6. Alex Liddi (1B)
7. Michael Saunders (CF) 
8. Brendan Ryan (SS) 
9. Jason Vargas (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Owned by Kevin Millwood. That's pretty close to Rock Bottom.

Mariners 4, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Kevin Millwood shut the Rockies out on two hits.

Any further questions?

Turning Point: The Rockies first hit didn't come until two outs in the 6th. The game can't turn if one team's offense completely no-shows.

Any further questions?

Alex White's Line: 7 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 7 H, 0 BB, 7 K, 98 pitches (66 strikes)

Jim Tracy publicly pleaded with Alex White to come out firing strikes, to pitch with confidence, and to avoid the tentative style that has become common with Rockies pitchers. White responded to that challenge by pounding the strike zone, walking nobody, and delivering one of the more complete outings we've seen from any pitcher at Coors Field this season.

It just wasn't as good as Kevin Millwood's.

Anyway, White truly was Colorado's lone positive in this game. Hopefully the other pitchers on this staff take note. You can survive at Coors Field if you pitch effectively to contact. You simply cannot survive pitching anywhere if you fear contact.

Highlight of the Night: Watch Alex White's seven strikeouts

Screengrab of the Game: Congrats @RockiesRoad on having your question answered on the air!

Who doesn't love Jenny's purple phone?

What's Next: We're looking at some Saturday afternoon baseball tomorrow with a first pitch of 2:10 MT. Impressive rookie Christian Friedrich (1-0, 1.38) will make his Coors Field debut in that one for Colorado. He'll be opposed on the mound by Seattle's Jason Vargas (4-3, 3.28).

And to avoid any confusion, this game WILL NOT be blacked out in Colorado or anywhere else. The Fox Sports broadcast begins tomorrow at 5:00 MT, meaning Root Sports will have rights to the broadcast.

Final Thoughts: Busy days are ahead. I'm back on the Big League Stew beat as of Friday night with a handful of contributions coming each week. That won't necessarily change the volume of posts here at Heaven & Helton, but on certain nights it will change the timing a bit and perhaps the length of the content. I'll simply ask you for your patience with me when those nights occur.

Thanks, as always.

We'll be back to regularly scheduled baseball thoughts in this space tomorrow.

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