Rock Solid Recrap: The Rockies Scored A Run!

Dodgers 7, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

What Went Right: The Rockies scored a run in the 4th inning, which snapped a 26-inning scoreless streak! Thanks, Andrew Brown!

Watch Andrew Brown's home run 

What Went Wrong: Well, as you can imagine, only scoring one run in an entire series is a recipe for being swept. So yeah, the Rockies were swept. They were pretty much unwatchable games the whole weekend. And the road to 100 continues with three games left to go. Buckle up.

Turning Point: The Rockies scored their run to take a 1-0 lead. Then the Dodgers scored four runs in the bottom half to take command of the game. Those four runs came on two-run homers from Matt Kemp and the legendary Luis Cruz.

Jorge De La Rosa's Line: 4 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 67 pitches (46 strikes)

Four innings and done. Four innings and done. Four innings and done. These pitching lines ALL look the same, though it's always good to see De La Rosa avoiding the walks. That's a small positive that does stand out here. As does his good health to end the year.

Bullpen's Line: 4 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 5 K

Rob Scahill was touched up for a run on three hits in the 5th. That's the first run he's allowed this season. Alex White then continued to struggle in the relief role by allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. The only clean reliever was Carlos Torres, who struck out two in the 8th.

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Rock Solid Record-Breaking Recrap

Dodgers 3, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: It's official, the 2012 Colorado Rockies are the worst we've seen in their two decade long existence, surpassing the 95-loss team from their inaugural season in 1993.

(Please, hold your applause. There are still four (road) games remaining on the schedule and this record in futility could still grow all the way into the triple digits.)

So it's not really about what went wrong tonight. It's about what has been going wrong for essentially three years, leading us to this dreadful season that will mercifully end in four days. 

Turning Point: Matt Kemp cracked a really long two-run homer in the 4th. He then added a completely unnecessary solo homer in the 8th, because the Rockies had already resigned to their fate and checked out after the first one. Typical road Rockies. Typical September Rockies under Jim Tracy. You know all the cliches and hashtags.

Tyler Chatwood's Line: 4 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 74 pitches (46 strikes)

Nothing to see here. Standard Rockies four-inning outing that was neither excellent nor disastrous. It was just kind of there, which is a fitting ending to Chatwood's season.

That said, I still have a decent feeling about Chatwood long term, but odds are he'll never ever sniff his potential with the Rockies.

Bullpen's Line: 4 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR

Jim Tracy was in heaven tonight utilizing six different relievers to navigate the final four innings. Of course three of those relievers (Rex Brothers, Josh Roenicke and Matt Reynolds) faced a grand total of four hitters, retiring only one of them. But by golly, our manager was out there managing and pushing buttons and making all kinds of things happen! Shake his hand and give him another lifetime deal.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Ailing Clayton Kershaw Overpowers Rockies

Dodgers 8, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: On a night that featured a no-hitter and a one-hitter, I suppose things could have been worse for the Rockies. But it still wasn't pretty as a far less than 100% Clayton Kershaw (bad hip) dominated them for eight shutout innings, striking out 10 along the way. In fact, the Rockies would only scratch out four singles and a Wilin Rosario double, and never saw a runner reach third base.

Like I said... not pretty.

Turning Point: They're on the road and they aren't playing the Cubs anymore. This game was over before it started.

Jeff Francis' Line: 4 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 66 pitches (38 strikes)

And then Jeff Francis made sure it never got in doubt by allowing a four-spot in the 2nd. Shane Victorino's three-run homer was the big blow there. Blah outing.

Bullpen's Line: 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 4 K

All of the damage here came against Will Harris in the 8th inning. He allowed a two-run homer to Bobby Abreu, which is a really tough thing to do these days. Guillermo Moscoso (2 IP) and Josh Roenicke (1 IP) were both excellent, though, which kept this from being extremely embarrassing.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Can't Overcome Themselves In Series Finale... But Gave Great Effort In Trying To

Dodgers 10, Rockies 8 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Oh, you know, many of the usual things. The starting pitching effort wasn't the strongest we've seen in recent weeks. And there was also some unsatisfactory work behind the plate from Ramon Hernandez, not to mention a throw or two going to the spot. Then reliever Will Harris imploded in the 8th (1 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 2 BB), which would to be more costly than we could have imagined with the Rockies scoring seven runs in their half of the 8th.

Many of those things serve as a nice reminder that changes need to be made in this organization, despite the fact that Colorado has played improved ball recently and showed a lot of heart with their comeback attempt. They still lack fundamentals. They still lack direction. They still stink big picture. But I'll give them credit for showing some professional pride.

Turning Point: The 3rd inning (Read all about in the Pomeranz, Drew section). With an honorable mention to the top of the 8th inning and Will Harris.

Drew Pomeranz's Line: 4 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 66 pitches (49 strikes)

The 3rd inning was a big problem for Pomeranz, though not all of it was his doing. There was some tough luck mixed in there with the bloop single from A.J. Ellis and the error on Jordan Pacheco that allowed Mark Ellis to reach. Then came Shane Victorino's infield hit that scored a run, follow by Adrian Gonzalez's seeing eye single through the right field for two more runs. Some maddening stuff in there.

Unfortunately, the two-run home run Hanley Ramirez hit to cap the inning was completely on Pomeranz. If you're going to establish yourself at the top of a rotation someday, those are the game-changing blows you have to avoid. Pomeranz hasn't been able to do that enough up to this point (at the big league level).

On the positive side, he was spotless in the 1st and 2nd innings. He then bounced back with a scoreless 4th despite a lead-off double. Also, he didn't walk anybody. So yes, ugly results, but far from his worst performance of the season.

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Rock Solid Recap: Obviously The Dodgers Need More Help

That, or the Rockies are inexplicably locked in right now or the Dodgers have terrible timing. These first two games have not even been close.

Rockies 8, Dodgers 4 (boxscore)

Winning Player: Wilin Rosario (3-for-4, 22nd home run., three RBI)

He's officially no longer a rookie hitter. He's a professional hitter and he's getting better all the time. Exciting!

Watch Rosario unload in the 3rd

Andrew Brown also contributed three hits for the Rockies, which establishes a new career-high for him. Josh Rutledge, Jordan Pacheco and Charlie Blackmon each had two hits in the attack.

Turning Point: The Rockies jumped out 4-0 and never looked back in this game. However, the Dodgers did have one opportunity in the 4th where they loaded the bases with no outs against Tyler Chatwood. Chatwood responded by getting a double play ball off the bat of Adam Kennedy. Then, after an intentional walk to A.J. Ellis, Chatwood blew away Chris Capuano to kill the rally. That's how you prevent a turning point!

Tyler Chatwood's Line: 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 80 pitches (51 strikes)

Chatwood worked in the strike zone frequently and again found success because of it. His work in the Kennedy at-bat mentioned above was especially impressive, and the young righty appears to be getting more comfortable dealing with traffic (Miami start aside) and confident in his ability to pitch around it. I remain convinced he'll be a solid contributor in 2013.

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Rock Solid Recap: Rockies Welcome Josh Beckett Back To The National League

More specifically... Tyler Colvin welcomes Josh Beckett back to the National League.

Rockies 10, Dodgers 0 (boxscore)

Winning Players: All of them. That's about as complete a performance as this team has had all season. And honestly, it's as satisfying a win as you can have in August of a lost season. Beating the Dodgers in Beckett's debut and in dominant fashion? Hell. Yes.

Special mentions are definitely in order for Tyler Colvin. Not only did he greet Beckett with the mammoth home run, he also played a big role in breaking the game open with a two-run 8th inning triple.

Another key contributor was Chris Nelson (single, double, triple, three runs scored) with the bat and with the glove. He started a huge double play on Matt Kemp that snuffed out the Dodgers 8th rally attempt.

D.J. LeMahieu (two hits, two RBIs, great double play turn) and Jonathan Herrera (three hits) also get hat tips.

Watch the Rockies turn a big DP

Turning Point: Jim Tracy made a logical managerial move. I swear to it. He made a logical managerial move in the 6th inning when he pinch-hit for piggyback/hybrid reliever Josh Roenicke in a run scoring opportunity, and I'll be damned if Josh Rutledge didn't come through with a pinch-hit RBI single to extend the lead and the inning.

This might not just be a turning point in a baseball game. It could be the turning point in all our lives.

Watch Josh Rutledge deliver

Oh, right, then Matt Belisle hit for himself with two runners on base in the 8th and struck out bunting. But I guess the Rockies were out of players by then or something. And then the Rockies scored six more runs inning and it didn't matter. Fun times!

Jeff Francis' Line: 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 91 pitches (56 strikes)

Josh Beckett was the talk going in but Jeff Francis stole the matchup with his outstanding five-inning performance. Of course I emphasized five innings there because that's a big deal for a Rockies pitcher. And you know what's an even bigger deal? Jim Tracy allowing Francis to reach 91 pitches despite being in a jam in the 5th. It's a good thing he did, too, because Francis finished the outing in style with the nasty 60-something mph curveball that struck out Shane Victorino.

Loved it.

What's Next: The Dodgers series continues on Tuesday night at 6:40 with a slightly less interesting pitching matchup. For the Rockies, it'll be the young righty Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 4.98). For the Dodgers, it'll be the crafty and surprisingly effective left-hander Chris Capuano (11-9, 3.37).

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Refuse To Sweep LA

Dodgers 6, Rockies 4 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: This game was a complete mess from a strategic standpoint. I'll get into the pitching side shortly, but it really started when Jim Tracy posted his lineup card and it didn't include Carlos Gonzalez. In his career against Wednesday's opposing starter Chad Billingsley, Gonzalez was 10-for-18 with four walks. If you're going to schedule a routine day off for your best player, I wouldn't suggest doing it against a guy he's that locked in against, regardless of the sample size.

Maybe there's something I'm missing and he needed the day off (or maybe Tracy is just married to the two days in a row off thing). I don't know.

With CarGo out of the lineup, Tyler Colvin shifted to the outfield and Matt McBride returned to the lineup. He would proceed to have perhaps the worst game ever for a Colorado first baseman. At the plate, he was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and two popouts (one that failed to advance a runner). That's bad enough.

In the field, he dropped a 1st inning popfly, which extended the inning for Jeff Francis. That's significant when there's a pitch limit in play, and it proved to very significant as this one played out. Later, McBride couldn't handle a throw from Jordan Pacheco that resulted in Pacheco being charged with an error. The throw was definitely high, but it had to be caught. No excuse.

Basically you bench CarGo for McBride straight up.

McBride's defense likely leads to a shorter outing for Jeff Francis.

CarGo never even receives a pinch-hit appearance.

Rockies lose 6-4.

Mess.

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Dodgers 8-8-12

Tuesday's Recap: Rockies, Rutledge Double Up On Dodgers

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (40-68)

1. Eric Young Jr. (LF)
2. Josh Rutledge (SS)
3. Dexter Fowler (CF)
4. Wilin Rosario (C)
5. Tyler Colvin (RF)
6. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
7. Matt McBride (1B)
8. D.J. LeMahieu (2B)
9. Jeff Francis (P)

"The best way to defense against teams pitching around Carlos Gonzalez is to sit him down." -- Jim Tracy

Not a real quote... but very possibly a real thought. 

Los Angeles Dodgers (59-52)

1. Shane Victorino (LF)
2. Mark Ellis (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Hanley Ramirez (SS)
5. Andre Ethier (RF)
6. Juan Rivera (1B)
7. Jerry Hairston (3B)
8. Mattsy May-Treanor (C)
9. Chad Billingsley (P)

Thanks to Eric Stephen (@truebluela) for today's lineups. 

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

Rock Solid Recap: Rockies, Rutledge Double Up On Dodgers

Rockies 3, Dodgers 1 (boxscore)

Winning Player: Josh Rutledge

The Rockies pitched their way to a series victory and their first back-to-back wins over the same team since they swept the Houston Astros four straight back in May. However, the big story for Colorado continues to be the hot hitting of rookie Josh Rutledge, who collected his first four-hit game, including three doubles (to all three fields by the way) and all three Rockies RBIs.

It's early for Rutledge, obviously, and he appears to have a few detractors in the scouting world (see: Law, Keith), but his swing looks smooth and the sounds his bat makes are wonderful. The ball is jumping off his bat right now, even in Dodger Stadium at night. The last two doubles especially were smoked. He's no doubt feeling it and seeing it well.

Will there be rough days ahead?

Positively. It's the big leagues. But he seems to be handling the day-to-day adjustments well and hasn't given me a good reason yet to feel nervous about him becoming overmatched once pitchers make their next round of adjustments.

Again... early... things change quickly. But for now, just keep swinging, kid. Just keep swinging.

Watch Josh Rutledge's huge night

Turning Point: Rutledge's night would have been a waste if not for Eric Young Jr. again reaching base at will. After a three-hit, two-run night in the opener, Young followed with three more hits, a walk, and two more runs scored. That's what a difference maker does. His name in the lineup and his production has changed the entire series.

To repeat what I said last night about Young: Need more of this!

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Dodgers 8-7-12

Monday's Recap: Rockies Snap Losing Streak. Jim Tracy Just Plain Snaps

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (39-68)

1. Eric Young Jr. (RF)
2. Josh Rutledge (SS)
3. Dexter Fowler (CF)
4. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
5. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
6. Ramon Hernandez (C)
7. Tyler Colvin (1B)
8. Jonathan Herrera (2B)
9. Alex White (P)

Have to keep running Ramon Hernandez out there because...

Only Jim Tracy knows the answer to that.

Los Angeles Dodgers (59-51)

1. Shane Victorino (LF)
2. Jerry Hairston (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Andre Ethier (RF)
5. Hanley Ramirez (SS)
6. James Loney (1B)
7. Luis Cruz (2B)
8. A.J. Ellis (C)
9. Aaron Harang (P)

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

Rock Solid Recap: Rockies Snap Losing Streak. Jim Tracy Just Plain Snaps.

Rockies 2, Dodgers 0 (boxscore)

The Colorado Rockies won a baseball game with pitching!

Holy crap!

Winning Players: The pitchers!

Drew Pomeranz's Line: 4 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K, 84 pitches (48 strikes)

Pomeranz dealt with a ton of traffic (mostly his own doing) but worked around it nicely, especially in the 1st when Los Angeles had two on with nobody out. Pomeranz calmly struck out Matt Kemp with some high heat, retired Hanley Ramirez on a soft grounder, and then finished it off with a strikeout of Juan Rivera.

I really thought at that point he would settle in and rattle off 5-6 good innings. Instead, he battled hard just to finish four scoreless. I guess if you want to bottom line it the scoreless part is the most important thing, along with his ability to dominate (good) hitters under pressure, but I still have a difficult time drawing real conclusions when he's being forced out there every four days.

Adam Ottavino's Line: 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 K, 46 pitches (30 strikes)

Ottavino's outings have been all over the place of late, but he really settled in nicely tonight and gets a win out of it. I'm happy for him. Now hopefully he ices his arm good for his next multi-inning outing.

Matt Belisle's Line: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

Belisle's 97th appearance of the season was much better than his 96th on Sunday. He's such a pro.

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Dodgers 8-6-12

The news from the Colorado clubhouse is not good again today. Todd Helton has been diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right hip and will be forced to undergo season-ending surgery on Friday.

The recovery time is estimated to be six months, which would allow Helton to be ready for spring training. He plans on being there, of course, because he's Todd Helton and we would expect nothing less from him. 

You can read more from the Denver Post. 

There's plenty of reason to wonder if Helton will be able to bounce back from an injury and operation of this nature at this stage of his career/life, but until I hear Helton himself say he can't or won't be there, I'm 100% confident he will be.

Get well, #17.

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (38-68)

1. Eric Young Jr. (RF)
2. Dexter Fowler (CF)
3. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
4. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
5. Ramon Hernandez (C)
6. Matt McBride (1B)
7. Chris Nelson (2B)
8. Jonathan Herrera (SS)
9. Drew Pomeranz (P)

Get ready for two months worth of spring training lineups. These will not be pretty at all.

Los Angeles Dodgers (59-50)

1. Shane Victorino (LF)
2. Mark Ellis (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Hanley Ramirez (SS)
5. Juan Rivera (1B)
6. Jerry Sands (RF)
7. Luis Cruz (3B)
8. A.J. Ellis (C)
9. Chris Capuano (P)

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

Weekend Recap: They Beat LA!

Friday

Rockies 13, Dodgers 3 (boxscore) 

Winning Players: The offense... again

The offense continued sizzling on this night against the surprisingly effective 2012 version of Chris Capuano. The boxscore was pretty to look at with Dexter Fowler contributing three more hits (two runs, two RBI), Michael Cuddyer touching the plate four times (home run included) and Wilin Rosario delivering the knockout punch with a three-run 6th inning homer.

There wasn't a single hole in the lineup among position players, and that was ultra-important given the piggyback pitching plan going into this game.

Josh Outman's Line: 3 1/3, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, 55 pitches (37 strikes)

Couldn't ask for much more out of Outman under the circumstances. A very effective line.

The Bullpen's Line: 5 2/3, 3 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 4 K

The walks and two runs belonged to Carlos Torres (two innings). Adam Ottavino (1 2/3 - 0 R), Matt Belisle (1 IP - 1 ER) and Esmil Rogers (1 IP - 0 R) closed it down efficiently.

Highlight of the Game

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Rock Solid Recrap: Well That Weekend Sucked

Dodgers 11, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: What is there to say at this point? Unlike at home where the Rockies showed a little pride and resilience in the face of adversity, they have simply folded up like lawn chairs on this road trip. It's painful to watch and completely unacceptable to those of us on the outside looking in, but it's par for the course over the past three seasons under the Tracy regime. He simply has no control over the steering wheel and watches on helplessly as they run off the road.

Turning Point: The Rockies were leading 4-2. Matt Kemp had just left the game after tweaking his ailing hamstring. And then Carlos Gonzalez stepped in and hit a rocket to left center field.

Watch Tony Gwynn Jr. rob CarGo of extra bases

If Matt Kemp is still in the game, Gwynn is still in left field and that ball gets down safely. If that ball gets down safely, the Rockies are threatening to add on some more insurance. If the Rockies score even one run, it changes things quite a bit. Maybe not enough for them to ultimately win, but certainly enough to change the flow of the game.

But it didn't get down.

And then things got ugly.

Alex White's Line: 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 1 K, 76 pitches (40 strikes)

White was given a 3-0 lead right out of the gate and immediately gave one back in the 1st and 2nd innings. After the Rockies added the fourth run, White started the bottom of the 5th by allowing a single to Justin Sellers. That was followed by a Ted Lilly sacrifice bunt. Innocent enough. Of course White would walk the next two, turning an innocent situation into potential disaster.

And then disaster officially strikes in the form of a Bobby Abreu (took Kemp's spot in the order) bases clearing double, which gave Los Angeles their first lead and ended White's afternoon.

Breakdown of a breakdown: The single you can live with. Heck, you can even live with the double because he was beat by a professional hitter there. You just can't live with those walks. Walks turn into runs so fast in the game of baseball. And as we know, the margin for allowed runs on the road is minimal for Colorado. 

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Dodgers 5-13-12

Saturday's Recrap: Nicasio's Dominance Not Enough To Overcome Offensive Woes

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (13-19)

1. Marco Scutaro (2B)
2. Tyler Colvin (1B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
5. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
6. Ramon Hernandez (C)
7. Chris Nelson (3B)
8. Dexter Fowler (CF)
9. Alex White (P)

A lot of people were wondering if Jim Tracy would consider moving Troy Tulowitzki down in the order. Well, here's your answer. It's only one spot today, but it's enough to move Michael Cuddyer into the clean up spot. It'll be interesting to see now if Tulo moves down one more stop to accommodate Todd Helton on Monday. 

The third base position? Who knows anymore. Tracy seems content using the revolving door, which would seem to benefit no one player, or the team for that matter. 

Los Angeles Dodgers (22-11)

1. Tony Gwynn Jr. (LF)
2. Mark Ellis (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Andre Ethier (RF)
5. James Loney (1B)
6. A.J. Ellis (C)
7. Adam Kennedy (3B)
8. Justin Sellers (SS)
9. Ted Lilly (P)

I think Alex White can have some success with this lineup. He just needs to limit those walks again and pray for 3-4 runs of support. 

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Nicasio's Dominance Not Enough To Overcome Rockies Offensive Woes

Dodgers 2, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: I could just copy and paste what I wrote last night and change Chris Capuano to Aaron Harang. Just another one of those typical west coast Rockies game where the offense failed to put pressure on the opposing pitcher. Been there. Seen it 1,000 times. What more can you say?

Turning Point: The entire top of the third was Rockies baseball at its lousy in-game managing, awful execution worst.

Well, maybe not all awful. Juan Nicasio did successfully bunt Wilin Rosario to third after his lead-off double. But that only led to Jim Tracy putting on the dreaded contact play, which predictably failed when Marco Scutaro grounded sharply to James Loney. Loney dove to his right to make the stop and still had plenty of time to gun down Rosario by several feet at home plate. Not close.

Naturally, Jonathan Herrera followed this with a bloop double, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd with two outs. Los Angeles then passed on Carlos Gonzalez to load the bases for Troy Tulowitzki. Tulo fouled off the first pitch before flying out harmlessly to straight away center on the second, meaning his RBI total for May is still the same as yours and mine.

That's not good enough, obviously. And I say that fully understanding Tulowitzki will eventually get it together and put up fantastic numbers this season. But the Rockies really need that to be happening now. There's just no denying or escaping that, and because of it the universal frustration with Tulo is becoming more justifiable by the day.

Juan Nicasio's Line: 7 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 9 K, 102 pitches (64 strikes)

Nicasio is so much fun to watch when he's on.

Tonight, he was ON... and then some.

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Dodgers 5-12-12

Friday's Recrap: Rockies Can't Solve Chris Capuano Or Dodger Stadium

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (13-18)

1. Marco Scutaro (2B)
2. Jonathan Herrera (3B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
7. Tyler Colvin (CF)
8. Wilin Rosario (C)
9. Juan Nicasio (P)

Perhaps this is a routine day off for Dexter Fowler, or perhaps Jim Tracy is growing tired of the inconsistent and frustrating approach at the plate, in addition to the sloppy outfield play that possibly cost the Rockies a baseball game last night. One couldn't blame him for citing either reason individually. Put together, he almost has no choice but to start Tyler Colvin to see if he can gain some traction in centerfield. 

Also, slightly surprised Chris Nelson hasn't started either game after his two-hit performance on Wednesday. It still appears his days could be numbered, maybe as soon as Eric Young Jr. returns. We shall see.   

Los Angeles Dodgers (21-11)

1. Dee Gordon (SS)
2. Mark Ellis (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Andre Ethier (RF)
5. Bobby Abreu (LF)
6. Juan Uribe (3B)
7. James Loney (1B)
8. A.J. Ellis (C)
9. Aaron Harang (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Can't Solve Chris Capuano Or Dodger Stadium

Dodgers 7, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: It's Dodger Stadium. When was the last time something went right for the Rockies at Dodger Stadium?

Exactly.

And while I understand Chris Capuano has been effective so far this season, he's still Chris Capuano. One run on four hits in seven innings against him simply will not cut it for a Major League offense.

Turning Point: I would say this game turned the second Colorado let Mark Ellis walk over the winter, because just like his namesake A.J. Ellis, Mark has quickly turned into a certified Rockies Killer (Hairston Brother Level).

So there you go.

Tonight, Ellis blasted a 1st inning solo home run (1st of the season), added a flyball that Dexter Fowler misread into a two-out, two-run double in the 5th that pushed their lead to 4-0, and walked in his final plate appearance. Expect more of the same annoying production all weekend.

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Dodgers 5-11-12

Wednesday's Recap: Christian Friedrich Shines In Big League Debut

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (13-17)

1. Marco Scutaro (2B)
2. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
7. Ramon Hernandez (C)
8. Dexter Fowler (CF)
9. Jamie Moyer (P)

This appears to be Jim Tracy's A lineup for this week, so enjoy it tonight and possibly tomorrow, but look for something completely different on Sunday and stayed tuned on Monday for Tracy's new A lineup.

Los Angeles Dodgers (20-11)

1. Dee Gordon (SS)
2. Mark Ellis (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Andre Ethier (RF)
5. Bobby Abreu (LF)
6. Juan Uribe (3B)
7. James Loney (1B)
8. Matt Treanor (C)
9. Chris Capuano (P)

Jerry Hairston Jr. was placed on the DL today, so the Rockies will avoid that headache this weekend. Of course that just opens the door for Juan Uribe, who has also been a thorn in their side since leaving the organization a few years ago. But hey, at least they'll only see half of the dreaded Ellis duo tonight.

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

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Dodgers 5-2-12

Last Night's Recrap: The Machine Is Battered... Perhaps Broken

Lineups 

Colorado Rockies (11-12)

1. Jonathan Herrera (2B)
2. Dexter Fowler (CF)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
7. Wilin Rosario (C)
8. Chris Nelson (3B)
9. Drew Pomeranz (P)

Pre-planned off days for Marco Scutaro and Ramon Hernandez this afternoon. I'm guessing neither will be too disappointed to avoid Kershaw.

Los Angeles Dodgers (17-7)

1. Tony Gwynn (LF)
2. Mark Ellis (2B)
3. Matt Kemp (CF)
4. Juan Rivera (1B)
5. Andre Ethier (RF)
6. Jerry Hairston (3B)
7. Justin Sellers (SS)
8. A.J. Ellis (C)
9. Clayton Kershaw (P)

Sure the big boys like Kemp, Ethier and even David Wright before them have all come up with big hits against the Rockies, but it's been their inability to retire Mark & A.J. Ellis, along with other role players like Ruben Tejada and Kirk Nieuwenhuis that have killed them this homestand. Today would be a good day to start putting the pests away. 

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