Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 30 vs. Chicago

Hits

Drew Pomeranz

6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, BB, 2 K

I can't wait for April 15.

Chris Nelson

Good showing for Nelson as he looks to lock down the third base job — or at least earn the majority of the playing time — in his battle with Jordan Pacheco.

In the second, Nelson tripled home the game's first run against a tough left-hander in John Danks. Six innings later, Nelson would single home the game's second run against another veteran left-handers in Will Ohman. I'm sure Jim Tracy will be filing those two productive swings away for when he makes out the lineup card against Wandy Rodriguez in six days.

Dante Bichette Jr.

Alright, so he's not a Rockie — really, really, really wish he was — but how freakin' cool is it that the 19-year-old son of my favorite player growing up got an opportunity to play with the New York Yankees big club today?

It's awesome.

Oh, and nevermind the fact he hit not one, but two home runs in his two at-bats. One of them coming off a 10-year veteran in Brandon Lyon.

Ya know, I think the kid's gonna be all right.

Misses

The offense vs. John Danks

Danks limited a Rockies offense not including Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, Todd Helton, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Giambi to one run on three hits over six innings. Obviously this wasn't the best possible lineup Jim Tracy can field, but guys the Rockies will count on to hit against lefties — Dexter Fowler, Eric Young Jr. and Ramon Hernandez — were in there and contributed zilch (0-for-9).

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Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 27 vs. Chicago

Hits

Wilin Rosario

The positive reviews on Rosario keep coming in, and he continues backing those up with outstanding results. This afternoon against a solid veteran right-hander in Gavin Floyd, Rosario went 3-for-3 — raising his spring average to .471 — including a double, RBI and two runs scored. He also nailed the only attempted base stealer, Alejandro De Aza — 12 steals in 54 games last season — and helped steer the Jamie Moyer ship on a day when he clearly didn't have it.

It all adds up to another encouraging day for Rosario.

Misses

Rafael Betancourt

He's had a rough spring and he couldn't finish the one inning Jim Tracy asked him to throw today (retired one but loaded the bases). That's concerning. He appears to be healthy, though, so that's good news. But what if he's setting up for a slow start to the season? That would be bad news. But he's also a veteran, so he could just as easily flip the switch and hit the ground running when it counts.

How's that for non-analysis analysis?

Esmil Rogers

Edgmer Escalona — scoreless inning and two-thirds — continued his surge upward while Rogers took a step back this afternoon — 1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, K. I still think Rogers has the edge if the two are battling for the same roster spot (he's out of options), but you can bet Escalona isn't going away. Also, the Rockies are committed to Alex White in the bullpen and White is committing to making the team any way he can.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies lose series to AL version of themselves

If the Rockies fired Jim Tracy tonight, it wouldn't fix everything - and very likely wouldn't fix anything - but I sure wouldn't be upset or angry. 

It's easy to say he's not the Rockies only problem or their biggest problem. That's the truth. But he certainly is a big problem. A problem that needs to be eliminated eventually. 

He was awful today. Completely overmanaged a very winnable game, helping turn it into a disaster. He used three pitches to get through the seventh, which I guess was necessary after Rafael Betancourt allowed the lead-off home run to Gordon Beckham? Or something.

He did allow Betancourt to face one more hitter, whom he retied, but then got the hook in favor of Rex Brothers. Personally, I would try to have a little more faith in Raffy. You know? You've demoted him to the 7th, which I can't argue with. But with a three-run, how can he regain his confidence getting yanked after one mistake?

Brothers came in and struggled again, which is totally on him. He needs to lock that down, but he didn't, so then we go to Matt Belisle. Belisle needs only one pitch to get the Rockies out of the jam.

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Lineup Card: 6-30-11 Rockies vs White Sox

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you. 

Links

• Yesterday's recap: Sluggish Rockies give one back to Sox
• Purple Row: Transaction notes

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (39-41)

1. CF Carlos Gonzalez
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. LF Charlie Blackmon
8. C   Matt Pagnozzi
9. P   Aaron Cook

Game No. 2,000 for Todd Helton. Pretty damn cool!

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Rock Solid Recrap: Sluggish Rockies give one back to Sox

Ugh. Tonight was exactly like last night in terms of both teams pitching well, but looking terrible at the plate and defensively. It was another game that was there for the taking for Colorado. All it would have taken on a couple different occasions was one big hit or one less mistake on the bases to notch back-to-back wins.

It didn't happen. This time it was the White Sox getting the win, though they didn't really have to take it like Troy Tulowitzki did last night. They just benefitted from one big break.

White Sox 3, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

Of course most of the criticism will center around that break Chicago caught. It came in the 9th inning on a play at the plate. Carlos Quentin tags up and scores the winning run on a shallow flyball to right field. Seth Smith made the catch with his momentum coming towards home, but the throw was off line, handcuffed Chris Iannetta, and Quentin got in.

Watch the icky play

My take: Yeah, Iannetta probably should have picked that ball and made the tag. But think about it, the catcher had to go 8-10 feet up the line to try and catch a ball on a shorthop. I've pointed out his sloppiness blocking baseballs in the past, though it's different behind the plate. Point is I'm certainly no apologist of his, but this all tells you it's a bad throw. And he also had a runner baring down on him.

It's not an easy play.

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Lineup Card: 6-29-11 Rockies vs White Sox

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's recap: Pitching holds strong, Tulo steals the W
• Blake Street Bulletin: Fight mediocrity
• Rockies Review: The Un-Ty-Er

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (39-40)

1. CF Carlos Gonzalez
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. 1B Jason Giambi
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 3B Ty Wigginton
6. RF Seth Smith
7. LF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C  Chris Iannetta
9. P   Ubaldo Jimenez

Sound the alarms: Seth Smith is starting against a left-hander! Please let him have a good night!

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Rock Solid Recap: Pitching holds strong, Tulo steals the W

This is what happens when you put an underachieving team (Rockies) and mediocre team (White Sox) together for a baseball game. A long game full of fans from both sides wondering how their teams is going to blow it, why the other team refuses to win it, and why they're staying up into the late evening hours to witness it.

Rockies fans are glad they did, because it was shown there is one big difference between these teams, and, quite frankly, the two leagues.

The Colorado Rockies have a superstar by the name of Troy Tulowitzki. A superstar who's athletically gifted and can change a game any number of different ways, including with his legs. The Chicago White Sox have no such player. In fact, most American League teams don't.

Watch Troy Tulowitzki steal the baseball game

Now listen to Hawk Harrelson's non-call

And the Jim Tracy drinking game

Rockies 3, White Sox 2 in 13 (boxscore)

That game could have gone on for 20 innings without a resolution if not for Tulowitzki's instincts and hustle, but let's make no mistake about where this game was truly won for the Rockies...

Pitching. Pitching. Pitching.

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Lineup Card: 6-28-11 Rockies vs White Sox

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's recrap: No sweep for us... part 3
• Hot Rox: Jim Tracy is having a very bad season
• Blake Street Bulletin: The Cautionary Tale of Felipe Paulino
• Rockies Woman: The Machine Malfunctions
• Purple Row: Know Your Foe: Chicago White Sox

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (38-40)

1. CF Carlos Gonzalez
2. 2B Chris Nelson
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 3B Ty Wigginton
7. LF Charlie Blackmon
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jason Hammel

Standard lineup. Not much to overanalyze.

Chicago White Sox (38-41)

1. LF Juan Pierre
2. 3B Brent Morel
3. RF Carlos Quentin
4. 1B Paul Konerko
5. SS Alexei Ramirez
6. C  A.J. Pierzynski
7. CF Alex Rios
8. 2B Gordon Beckham
9. P   Gavin Floyd

For Jason Hammel to have success tonight he needs to keep Pierre and Moral off base ahead of Quentin and Konerko. You can have those guys at the dish with a chance to do damage or change the game.

Spring Training Game 21: Hits, Misses & Foul Tips

White Sox 12, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

Hits

Chris Iannetta

Iannetta isn't blowing anyone away with his numbers, but we're starting to see a steady improvement in his plate appearances. He reached base twice today, that on the heels on of reaching base twice on Tuesday. It's something. Maybe he's not driving the ball for power like you want to see, but it seems to be getting closer to that for Chris. And finding ways on base out of the eight hole is always a positive.

Mike McKenry

Speaking of catchers and hitting for power, McKenry delivered (a based on tweets) monstrous three-run shot (2nd this spring) to straight away center off of former Rockies farmhand Shane Lindsay. Good for Mike. He's kind of becoming a forgotten man in the catching situation, through no fault of his own, so it's good to see him make some noise.

Misses

Ubaldo Jimenez

4 1/3, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, and 1 double allowed to relief pitcher Tony Pena.

This is further evidence that Rockies starters have been instructed to get their clunkers out of the way this week. I'm all for this strategy!

Matt Reynolds

Another outing, another home run allowed, and another step further from the opening day roster. It's too bad, but it's not like Reynolds can't go back to AAA, get himself together and make an impact later in the season. That's exactly what I think he'll do.

Foul Tips

Geno Espineli

Geno has a story to tell his grand kids. He relieved Ubaldo Jimenez in the middle of an inning in spring training, and helped inflate his ERA by allowing two inherited runners to score. Pretty cool, but I'd probably leave the second part out.

Spring Training Game 11: Hits, Misses & Foul Tips

White Sox 9, Rockies 8 (boxscore)

Hits

Dexter Fowler

Fowler is swinging a hot bat and seemingly collecting an extra base hit in every game this spring. And the best part is he's doing it without overswinging. He's just making good contact and the ball is flying. I'm encouraged by his early results and believe a breakout year is coming if he can avoid the bad habits that held him back at points last season.

Ty Wigginton

Wigginton muscled up for his second home run of the spring, a two-run shot off Chicago's lefty John Danks. It's safe to assume Wigginton's name will be on that lineup 100% of the times against lefties, whether it be at first or third or left or right or second.

Misses

Felipe Paulino

Big step back to the pack for Paulino (3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB & 1 K) in the battle for Aaron Cook's spot. He struggled with his location, leaving his fastball in the heart of the plate far too often. His curveball also looked pretty flat and plenty hittable. He just didn't have anything going, and a White Sox lineup mixed with veterans and talented prospects made him pay.

Matt Reynolds

Reynolds is struggling to get his feet under him early on. I don't think it's anything to get worked up about yet, but again, people are worried about the bullpen lefties and today's outing isn't going to help relax those worried people.

Eric Stults

Please remove Mr. Stults from your Rockies roster card. He's not sticking around long after today's brutal (2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 K) performance. It actually looked even worse than the numbers indicate.

Foul Tips

No MLB.TV for Sox broadcast

Not sure why this game aired locally but was not available on MLB.TV or At Bat. Kind of strange, but you didn't miss much in terms of broadcast quality. The White Sox regular announcers were not on hand and the video feed like it was taken directly from the Camelback Ranch scoreboard.

Oh, and did I mention Felipe Paulino and Eric Stults stunk?