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.

Read more »

Lineup Card: Rockies vs A's 6-12-12

Sunday's Recrap: Rockies Take Weekend Off, Swept By Angels

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (24-35)

1. Tyler Colvin (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (SS)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
7. Chris Nelson (2B)
8. Wil Nieves (C)
9. Jeremy Guthrie (P)

So many things here... like Tyler Colvin starting again in CF. I'm as big a Colvin supporter as you'll find, but Dexter Fowler has been the Rockies second best player for around six weeks. Seriously, I'm all for finding Colvin at-bats, but Fowler should never be out of the lineup for more than one game. And Colvin should be down the lineup a bit hitting 6th or 7th where he can inflict more damage. . 

It would really help if Cuddyer was able to play second or third like he has in the past for Minnesota (at least until Tulo comes back). That would open up right for Colvin, which he'd be better suited for than center and lengthens the lineup. But we'll have to settle for Chris Nelson tonight... and Wil Nieves. 

Also, Jeremy Guthrie is pitching. Buckle your seat belts. 

Oakland Athletics (28-35)

1. Jemile Weeks (2B)
2. Coco Crisp (CF)
3. Josh Reddick (RF)
4. Seth Smtih (LF)
5. Brandon Inge (3B)
6. Brandon Moss (1B)
7. Kurt Suzuki (C)
8. Cliff Pennington (SS)
9. Bartolo Colon (P)

No Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) today, so Guthrie may be spared from a 500 foot homer. That said, I'm penciling in Seth Smith for three hits with at least one home run in his return to Denver. I think Josh Reddick will hit the longest home run for Oakland. 

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