Rock Solid Recrap: That's what a motivated Brad Hawpe looks like

See, I didn't know Brad Hawpe was the kind of guy who takes being released by the organization he grew up in personally. Now I know. Now the Rockies know. And now the Rockies are probably going to pay for it time and time again.

But this game was about a lot more than just Hawpe coming back to haunt the Rockies. This was about the Rockies shooting themselves in the foot... repeatedly, allowing a 7-1 seventh inning lead to slip away and turn into a 9-7 loss.

That's epic. That can't be done in one at-bat or on one pitch. That takes a collaborative effort from several sources to pull off. And the Rockies pulled it off almost flawlessly.

Padres 9, Rockies 7 (boxscore)

In started when Jhoulys Chacin loaded the bases to start the seventh. Eric Patterson hit one back to Chacin that bounced off his glove. When he finally collected the ball he took an ill-advised glance towards home, and then made an even iller-advised throw to first that sailed over Todd Helton's head. Chacin was charged with two errors on that play that led directly to two runs. It also put two more runners in scoring position that eventually came around to score, narrowing the gap to 7-5.

All things considered, Chacin pitched a solid game today, but that one misplay that turned into a bad decision undid most of it.

What Chacin didn't undo, Rafael Betancourt finished off by throwing an awful inning that included three hits, two runs and one balk. And to make it worse he made it last what felt like three years.

That set the stage for Brad Hawpe to absolutely unload on a 2-2 Huston Street offering in the ninth. It was not a good outing at all for Huston, who needed a little defensive assistance to prevent a lead-off double from scoring. But there was no saving him from Hawpe's second deck blast. Even more frustrating is Street was ahead in the count 0-2 and couldn't finish him off.

Awful baseball.

Offense did well to light up Aaron Harang. It was nice to see that, but no baserunners over the final four innings certainly did not help halt the momentum San Diego was gaining. Last night they were able to keep adding on and kicking San Diego while they were down, today it just didn't happen.

I've seen some frustrating Colorado Rockies losses in my day. This one here is a gut punch that can rival most of them. But it definitely reminded me of one specific loss last season. The final day before the all-star break, where the Rockies imploded against these same San Diego Padres.

A Matt Belisle error on a play very similar to Chacin's opened the door for the Padres, who ended up winning that game by the same 9-7 score. Eerily similar on many levels. Even the weather conditions were about the same, only warmer. And Chacin pitched that day as well... in relief.

Rock Solid Recap: One To Be Cherished

A road win.

A road win in Los Angeles.

A road, win, in Los Angeles, when the Rockies didn't even play a perfect game.

A sign of good things to come, or a sign of how far the Dodgers have fallen over the past six weeks? I'll allow you to make your own determinations.

All I know is a win is a win, and the Rockies don't get near enough of those under the circumstances which they played tonight.

Rockies 3, Dodgers 2 (10) 

This game featured a high level of wackiness. It wasn't pretty. In fact, there were some baseball coaches in Williamsport, PA preparing for a Little League tournament this weekend that made their kids turn off the television.

I'll shy away from focusing on that. Well, normally I wouldn't, but since we're pushing 2 AM here, and we're a little emotional over the release of Brad Hawpe, I'll just keep this short, sweet, and positive.

Jason Hammel -- Quality outing. Continues to do an amazing job of keeping his team in games, he just isn't getting wins to show for it. Oh well, his strong work is appreciated.

Huston Street -- Back on the horse with a save. Shaky? To a degree, but it's not like not the Dodgers killed him. The bloop single that nearly tied the game would have been an easy flyout 100 times out of 100 with Scott Podsednik batting, but the Rockies were in extreme no doubles mode, and the ball dropped.

Troy Tulowitzki saved the day -- Highlight

Carlos Gonzalez saved the day first -- Highlight

He should be fine in a couple days. Just a bruise.

Brad Hawpe -- Again, thanks for the contributions. Brad went out the way you'd expect him too, with a basehit.

Eric Young -- Web Gem.

Melvin Mora -- The rarely "pesky" Mora was quite the nuisance out there. Mora reached and scored the winning run without him or any other Rockie putting a baseball in play. He simply created a run with his legs. And was maybe slightly aided by Octavio Dotel's yips. Highlight

Tomorrow This Evening

Rockies will try to win a series in LA for the first time ever... or at least a really long time.

Jorge De La Rosa vs. Ted Lilly

Everybody get rested up and ready for some more late night action.

So Long To Brad Hawpe

Brad Hawpe has been officially released by the Colorado Rockies.

The saddest day for me as a Colorado Rockies fan was the day Dante Bichette was traded to Cincinnati for Stan Belinda and Jeffrey Hammonds in October 1999.

Dante was my guy. My favorite player. That guy whose at-bats I would study endlessly in hopes of extending my playing time in Little League and then high school.

His ABs weren't just ABs for me, they were events. It started with that electric Sledgehammer walk-up, the crowd would eat it up, and it usually ended with a clutch knock or at the very least a lengthy two strike battle that wore out an opposing pitcher.

Loved Dante ABs.

I'm sure Brad Hawpe had a similar impact on a number of young Rockies fans during his 6+ year stint with the big league squad. I sympathize with those fans and all the others feeling sadness over this development.

It's never fun when something like this happens, because we become quite attached to them as ballplayers, and more so them as people. it also means either the player has outgrown the Rockies, regressed, or the team has regressed to the point that it's necessary to reshuffle the deck. In this case it's actually a lot of the latter two. Regression on both sides.

Ultimately I love the Rockies more any one single player, so while this is a difficult pill to swallow, I view this as a positive. Hawpe's time here was complete one way or the other. This allows him to move on, make a fresh start, play the game he loves to play. This also allows the Rockies to move on and learn more about themselves and their future.

It's absolutely the right thing to do for all parties.

I send out my most appreciative thank you to Brad for his contributions to the Rockies dating back to 2004. He really peaked as a solid player in 2007, was a HUGE part of that run to the World Series, and always seemed to be a stand up guy and a willing and unselfish teammate.

A man's man. A winning type of athlete. A winning type of person, who has handled the situation with the utmost class and dignity. The Rockies have also handled their end of a difficult situation with class, and that makes me proud to be a fan of this organization.

All the best to Brad and his family as he begins the net phase of his career. I'm sure we'll be seeing him at Coors Field again sooner than later, one way or another.

Rock Solid Recap: Good Things Happen When Bat Meets Baseball

Rockies 10, Padres 8

Here's an inning-by-inning breakdown of the Rockies offense on balls in play.

• 1st: 2-for-4 -- 2 singles 
• 2nd: 0-for-1 
• 3rd: 5-for-5 -- 2 HR, 2 2B, 1B, 5 Runs 
• 4th: 0-for-1 
• 5th: 0-for-3 
• 6th: 0-for-1 
• 7th: 4-for-5 -- 3 soft singles and a Grand Slam, 5 Runs 
• 8th: 0-for-1
• 9th: No Need

You'll notice that it's extremely difficult to mount any offense in innings where one or less baseball is put in play.  On the flip side, when you're putting the ball in play at least three times an inning, you're likely to run into some good luck and/or hit some balls hard and create a situation.  

I could probably end the recap there and have already said enough.  Then again, I haven't told you anything you didn't already know.

Ian Stewart

Had himself a fine evening at the plate.

Only thing better than hitting a go-ahead HR in a game is coming back a few innings later and htting a go-ahead Grand Slam to the opposite field. Ian also drew a walk in his lone matchup against lefty special Joe Thatcher.

Ian's getting more locked in with each passing day.  

Highlights: 2-Run Blast, Grand Slam

Miguel Olivo & Carlos Gonzalez

This whole all-star snub thing may just work out after all. Both men will get four days of much needed rest, and it seems each will be very motivated to prove they belonged there. Determined superstars are good guys to have in the clubhouse and in the lineup.

Highlight: CarGo HR, Olivo's RBI Double

Dexter Fowler & Brad Hawpe

Four strikeouts apiece. Ouch.

I hope the HR the other night isn't in Dexter's head too much. The swing was kinda uppercutty with two strikes a couple times, which makes me nervous. He could just need a day off, too. He's being run out there every day since his recall.

Jonathan Herrera

Two more hits.  Two more runs scored.  Web Gem.

Jorge De La Rosa

Shaky return. His issue tonight was the inability to put hitters away with runners on base. He was ahead of just about every hitter, he just couldn't put enough of them away. That's typically a strength for Jorge, it will be again once he's comfortable, it just wasn't there for him tonight.

Realizing this, I have no idea why Tracy stuck with him so long. Or maybe Tracy just didn't realize it.

Manny Corpas

Made nothing but good pitches in the 5th inning, yet a number of Rockies fans on Twitter acted as if he allowed 7 runs. He didn't. Sixth inning was a little rougher with the double and the walk. That time Randy Flores cleaned it up and the Rockies stayed comfortably in the baseball game.

Back End

Matt Belisle, Joe Beimel, Rafael Betancourt and Huston Street. Fantastic work by each.

Tomorrow

Jason Hammel vs Wade LeBlanc

The Rockies have made full turn through the rotation undefeated. Time for Jason Hammel to start another.

Rock Solid Recapping A Sweep Of The Redbirds

Sweeps don't get any sweeter in the early portion of July.

Game 1 -- Rockies 12, Cardinals 9

Game 2 -- Rockies 8, Cardinals 7

Today -- Rockies 4, Cardinals 2

I know it bothers a lot of people when the opposing team brings a huge following with them to Coors Field.

Me?

I love it.

Why?

Because the Rockies play their absolute best baseball when that stadium is packed and the emotions are running high. This team feeds off the atmosphere, especially when it seems to be a 60/40 Rockies split or 50/50.

And better than that?

You get to witness the frustration and anguish of your rival's fans as they trudge back to their hotels or sewer drains. Seriously... does it get any better than that?

Actually... it does.

Ubaldo Jimenez

Jimenez was absolutely on his game today. The splitter was, as Jim Tracy mentioned postgame, the best it's been all season. It was unhittable. He was confident in his fastball. He was efficient with his pitches. Only 94 through 8 innings.

I was extremely shocked when Tracy decided to pull Jimenez after eight, but with Huston Street back in the fold, Tracy elected to save some bullets while also showing confidence in his closer. For Jim's sake I'm glad it worked out because he would have faced some tough questions had that 9th inning blown up on him.

Jason Giambi

First of all, congratulations to the big man on career game #2,000. That's an awesome number and accomplishment.

Second, does he know how to celebrate in style or what? 4-for-4 today with 2 RBI and a run? It's only the third time in his 2,000 games that he's had 4 singles in one game. It was his 17th four hit game overall.

Meanwhile, Todd Helton rests at home as his replacements combine for 7-for-8 the last two nights. I'm sure no person in the world is happier about that than Todd.

Highlights: Giambi's 1st RBI & 2nd RBI

Dexter Fowler

On base again three times. Started the game off with a hit and scored right away. If he felt slighted by not being named NL Player of the Week last week, he's going about his anger in the proper way. He's an early contender for the award this week, along with Giambi, and a handful of others around the league.

Brad Hawpe

Returned to the lineup with two hits and an RBI. The RBI came with two outs in the first. Those are always nice to get, and that counts doubly with Ubaldo on the mound.

Highlight: Hawpe's RBI Single

That just about covers today's game. I tweeted last night that I wouldn't be offended if the Rockies won a simple 5-2 game every now and then. Today was 4-2, so I'll definitely take that as well.

Of course I'm not opposed to high stress wins. I'll take the wins any way you can get'em. I'd just like them spread out a little more over the course of a season!

Bonus Highlight: Yadier Molina comes through

Tomorrow

The first place Padres come to town. Let's see if we can't change that wording by the time the Padres leave town on Sunday.

We'll also welcome Jorge De La Rosa back to the rotation. He defeated San Diego in the Rockies home opener back in April.

Rockies Thoughts: Fowler, Hawpe, Helton, Mora

As I mentioned in my Rock Solid Recap of last night's win over San Diego, anytime you hear Todd Helton, back, and spasms in the same sentence, there's reason for concern.

Great reason.

For great concern.

I also tweeted during last night's game that if Helton's back was flaring up again, and if Brad Hawpe's ribs were sore enough to keep him out of the outfield, but well enough to let him swing, then maybe we could see Hawpe manning first base one of these days.

And then after the game came word that Colorado was recalling OF Dexter Fowler for Tuesday's game.

Hmm.

Until we see a corresponding move it'll be difficult to assertain what this means, but I do know Fowler was scratched from the Sky Sox game before it started, which would lead me to believe his call up is more a reaction to Helton's leaving BP than anything else.

Maybe it signals that the Rockies know Helton needs more rest, maybe even needs a week or two away from the field, which could finally open up some 1B time for Hawpe.

The Rockies have been doing okay with a four outfielder rotation, with Melvin Mora kinda playing that 5th outfielder/Mr. Everything role.  If you think you might be taking Hawpe away from that rotation temporarily, or even longer, then it makes perfect sense to put Fowler in his place.

It could just be the Rockies rewarding Fowler for his excellent play down there, but I tend to think there's something more involved than that.  The Rockies don't often make moves based on player needs  Everything is about making the team better.

It's also interesting because Helton sitting out opens up that two slot in the order, which is where the Rockies like Fowler to hit.

Like I said, it's hard to say what this means.  I hate speculating on things I have little to no knowledge of, but sometimes things add up and need to be at least pointed out.

Oher Thoughts/Links

-- In somewhat related news, Fangraphs is in full support of Hawpe moving to first base for Colorado.

They also see the Rockies as buyers in this year's trading market, and suggest Clint Barmes become the Rockies utility man after they acquire Dan Uggla.  I guess they aren't sold on Jonathan Herrera... or haven't seen Herrera play.

Remember, stat people don't typically watch games, they just play with numbers.

Personally I'm content with allowing Herrera to play 2B most every day and hit lead-off.  He's providing a spark there the Rockies have lacked, plus Uggla's ugly defense and strikeout totals don't lead me to believe he'd be worth trading a significant prospect for.

-- Credit Melvin Mora for stepping in last night at the last minute and playing a terrific game.  It may seem like no big deal, but trust me, there's a lot of mental prepartion and other factors involved in the role he was pushed into last night.

Playing first base is still kind of foregin to him.  I don't think he's hit second a whole lot in recent years.  And instead of looking at scouting reports of potential bullpen pitchers he'd face later in the game, he had to quickly make sure he was prepared to face Kevin Correia.

It was a challenging experience I'm sure, but he just went out there and proved his worth as a solid veteran with one goal in mind at this stage of his career.

Winning.

Rock Solid Recap: I Prefer That Jason Hammel

Rockies 5, Astros 1

No mystery tonight...

Winning Player: Jason Hammel

I said something to this effect recently.

When Jason Hammel starts avoiding the disaster inning, he'll turn into one damn solid starter in a big league rotation.  

Seems Hammel has gotten, or is in the process of getting over that hump. A good indication of that was tonight's second inning.  The first two batters reached on infield singles. If anything is a recipe for disaster, it's making two solid pitches, forcing two weak swings, and getting no outs to show for it.

That didn't happen tonight.  Hammel got the 6-3 double play off the bat of Tommy Manzella, then struck out the pitcher to end the threat.  Hammel did a pretty good job of limiting his traffic from that point on, but the real key to his success was that great pitch when the situation called for a great pitch.  A hit allowed there and who knows which direction this game goes in.

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Rock Solid Recap: The Little Things Add Up

Now that was a profressional baseball game that makes you proud to be a baseball fan. Very well played by both sides.

Rockies 3, Diamondbacks 2

Winning Player: Jhoulys Chacin

Anytime your 22-year-old starter gives you six innings of two run baseball, you best win the game for him. When you win the game for him, you must give him the game ball.

Chacin was fantastic in limiting a really strong Arizona lineup to just four hits and two walks. He struck out five and also induced a well timed double play ball off the bat of Chris Snyder in the second inning. That was his biggest pitch of the night.

Maybe his biggest moment of the game came in an under-the-radar AB.

His successful sacrifice bunt in the 2nd inning led directly to a stolen run. The bunt pushed runners to 2nd and 3rd with two outs. Miguel Olivo then scored from third on an Ian Kennedy wild pitch.

One simple little bit of execution leads to a stolen run. It was really was huge, because all the Rockies could muster aside from that run were solo HRs from Brad Hawpe and Troy Tulowitzki.  That's why I always stress the little things.

Save: Ian Stewart/Clint Barmes

Listen, the bullpen did great once again tonight backing up Chacin. The usual trio -- Belisle, Bemiel and Corpas -- got the nine outs and sealed the deal once again. Credit to them.

But that play Clint Barmes made in the 9th inning was huge. Not only to knock the ball down, preventing a 1st and 3rd situation, he actually got an out of the play. We all know how precious and elusive outs 25, 26 and 27 can be. Barmes secured 26 right there.

That's why he plays.

And the two plays Ian Stewart made in the late innings. Incredible. Diving and throwing from his backside, and then leaning over the rail in the D-Backs dugout for out 25. When the Rockies flash leather, they win baseball games. They win them inspite of whatever offensive struggles they're going through.

It's a defense first team.

Stewart's swing also looked good. Two knocks the opposite way plus a walk. Todd Helton chipped in with three hits.

Eat that, Mark Kiszla.

Ubaldo takes the ball tomorrow. Let's hope for a Stress Free Wednesday against former Rockie Rodrigo Lopez and the rest of the D-Backs.

Rock Solid Recap: Halladay Serves As Olivo's Slumpbuster

Rockies 4, Phillies 3

As I said earlier... to call this a big win would an understatement.

The Rockies didn't beat Roy Halladay, but they knocked him around quite a bit. Great swings up and down the lineup. High pitch counts. Bascially they made him work harder for his money than any other Halladay opponent this season. This approach needs to carry over to every pitcher, not just the elite ones.

Aaron Cook pitched a fantastic six innings. Seriously. I'm not a fan of the quality start stat, because I think it needs to be adjusted for ballpark and opponent, but this qualifies as a quality start on any scale. He kept the Rockies in the game and held down a terrific offense. I'm very pleased with Cook.

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What To Do With Clint Barmes... and Brad Hawpe

Times are getting rather interesting for Mr. Barmes.

With Brad Hawpe very likely to return right at or around schedule from the 15-day DL, I would say Barmes has roughly 10 days to get on track, or the Rockies will have to make a really tough evaluation of their roster.

Where does Barmes fit in?

A lot of that depends on what Barmes does with the playing time he receives between now and then. It also has a lot to do with how much Jim Tracy falls in love with EY Jr. leading off, and CarGo hitting behind Tulo. With the spark each has provided early in their experiments, I would say both are sticking there for a bit.

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Rock Solid Recap: All About Smith... And Don't Forget Smith

Rockies 11, Mets 3

Winning Player: Greg Smith

You can't really call him a kid, but you can definitely call him the man tonight. Greg Smith did it all. 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 8 K. That's just the pitching side. At the dish: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R. Showed some nice wheels on the bases beating out a possible DP to get his second RBI. There's a lot to like about his athletic ability and all the ways he can help the team win games.

He gets paid to pitch though, and wow, like I've been saying all spring, the stuff he has in his arm is big league caliber. He can make good hitters look silly when he's confident and in rhythm. That's exactly what he was tonight.

For him to roll out there like he was tonight, getting into that seventh inning, has to make all of us feel better about where this team can go. So many of the top notch clubs are looking to to find a solid 4th or 5th. The Rockies have six if Francis is healthy. As it stands, they have five.

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Hits & Misses: Spring Training Game 10

Rangers 16, Rockies 5  (Boxscore)

Hits

Brad Hawpe

He played!  He didn't foul one of his infect toenail!  He even had two doubles.  

Andrew Johnston

The only Rockie to throw a complete scoreless inning on Thursday.  He's a darkhouse, folks.  He now has three scoreless innings on the spring, and he could provide the bullpen spark that Matt Daley provided last season should the Rockies need one.  Keep an eye on him.

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