Rock Solid Recap: Rockies Complete The Sweep In New York

Rockies 1, Mets 0 (boxscore)

For some reason Citi Field in New York has become a nice home away from home for the Colorado Rockies (eight straight wins there over the past two seasons). And if you're asking for my best guess as to what that reason is... I'll say it's probably because the Mets play there, and the Mets are kind of a mess.

But hey, I'm not giving back any of those wins. I just wish they could stay longer.

Winning Players: The Bullpen 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K

With 150 friends and family members in attendance on Wednesday night to see Adam Ottavino's scheduled piggyback outing, manager Jim Tracy elected to push him back until Thursday, which was kind of a dick move if you ask me. I mean, yes, this is professional baseball. There are no promises and you just have do your job when you're told and hopefully do it to the best of your abilities. That said, the Rockies have been dipping their toes in some Little League waters with his pitching system, so why not just pitch the guy when you said you would so he can have that night in front of his family.

That bugged me more than it should have, but it worked out well for the Rockies on Thursday as Ottavino was able to give them a couple scoreless innings out of the bullpen. He was followed by Rex Brothers, who also tossed two scoreless innings and ended up getting the win (8-2). Then it was Will Harris (he's turning out to be a nice find, huh?) with an overpowering 8th inning in the setup role to Matt Belisle, who earned the save in place of the resting Rafael Betancourt.

Amazing work by the bullpen the entire series.

Turning Point: The Mets have a lot of things that look and feel out of place. Among the most noticeable would be their decision to play Jordany Valdespin, an infielder by trade, playing center field in Thursday's game. That misguided strategy led directly to the only run of the game as Valdespin misplayed Tyler Colvin's flyball leading off the 8th into a triple. One batter later, Chris Nelson rolled one through the infield for the game winner.

Watch Tyler Colvin's Triple

Watch Chris Nelson's RBI single

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Rock Solid Recap: Just Another Four-Game Winning Streak. No Big Deal.

Rockies 5, Mets 2 (boxscore)

Remember when the Rockies couldn't beat the same team twice in a row for like three months? Yeah, so now they're not only doing that, they're actually taking it one step farther and beating the same team three times in a row. They did it to Milwaukee last week at home. Now they're doing it to the Mets in New York. 

Unreal.

Also, thank you Brewers and Mets falling apart at the seams at just the right time. Of course I want to see changes from top to bottom and left to right, but I don't really want to see the Rockies ever loss 100. Very happy they're moving further away from that pace. 

Winning Player: Wilin Rosario 

The Rockies rookie catcher was terrific in Wednesday's win, and it all started in the 1st inning when he ended the Mets mini-rally (one run in, runner on first) by catching David Wright stealing.

Even if it ultimately didn't save a run, it definitely saved Francis a few precious pitches. We all know how vital that is for Rockies starters. In this case, it would help Francis stick around long enough to have a shot at winning (he didn't, of course).

Rosario then got the Rockies offense started in the 4th with a sacrifice fly scoring Jonathan Herrera. The thing I liked most about that plate appearance (aside from the obvious) is that he picked up Carlos Gonzalez, who had just struck out with the runners at second and third. Even if the Rockies didn't get the most out of the opportunity, at least they got something because of Rosario's good work.

That evened the score at 1-1. It stayed that way until the 7th when Mr. Rosario again made a difference with a go-ahead solo homer.

Watch Wilin Rosario Hit No. 20

I think the home run speaks for itself. He's a strong kid with scary offensive potential. We need a couple more of those guys.

Turning Point: Those three Rosario moments could all be considered turning points in the game. I also think the Rockies adding two insurance runs in the 9th was a huge difference (Chris Nelson's RBI single and Josh Rutledge's pinch-hit RBI double), especially when you look at how the bottom half played out with New York getting two runners and the tying run to the plate.

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Rock Solid Recap: Jhoulys Chacin Brilliant In Return From DL

Rockies 6, Mets 2 (boxscore)

Winning Player Jhoulys Chacin: 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 73 pitches (51 strikes)

As good a return outing as you can have asked for or expected. Troy Renck pretty much summed it on Twitter. Chacin threw with confidence and swagger, which is something we haven't seen from him since early in 2011. He was in the strike zone consistently. He was efficient. It's the type of outing where he may have pushed to go the distance under different circumstances, but we'll certainly take these results and hope there are more to go this weekend in Chicago. 

Welcome back, Jhoulys.

Congrats on your first win since last Aug. 28.

Bullpen's Line: 3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K

The Mets scratched out one against Matt Reynolds in his 1/3 of an inning outing, but could get nothing going against Josh Roenicke, Matt Belisle and Rafael Betancourt.

Seriously... how nice is it to finally see the Rockies having opportunities to use Reynolds, Belisle, Roenicke and Betancourt in setup/closer situations?  It's almost like we have a little structure back in our lives.

Also, NO WALKS. From anybody!

Turning Point: The game obviously turned in the Rockies four-run sixth. Up until that point, Colorado was without a single base runner. D.J. LeMahieu and Jonathan Herrera changed that with back-to-back singles leading off the inning. Then came the big play... After Chacin put down his sacrifice bunt, starting pitcher Chris Young fielded it and promptly tossed it halfway down the right field line, which allowed LeMahieu to score and tie the game.

Watch The Mets Botch It All Up

Charlie Blackmon and Dexter Fowler would follow this with RBI singles. Ramon Hernandez then capped the rally with a sacrifice fly. So again, like Monday night, it came down to a few batters in one half inning where the Rockies executed everything correctly and benefitted greatly from the opponent's inability to do the same.

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Rock Solid Recap: Rockies Earn Win With Jumbled Lineup

Rockies 3, Mets 1 (boxscore)

Most of the names in the lineup were unrecognizable to people who don't follow the Rockies closely (and even some who do), yet they found a way to start their road trip on the right track with a win over the New York Mets. And to make it more satisfying, they won a game started by Cy Young candidate R.A. Dickey (no-decision for him).

Winning Player: Tyler Colvin

First base belongs to Colvin again with Michael Cuddyer back on the disabled list. He took advantage of the playing time on Monday night, breaking Colorado into the scoring column with a mammoth second deck bomb off Dickey in the 5th.

Watch Tyler Colvin's home run

But that was just his first big moment in the game. In the 8th, with the Mets threatening to retake the lead, Colvin make a fantastic diving stop of a Jordany Valdespin groundout that was ticketed for the right field corner. Colvin then gathered himself and flipped to Matt Belisle (who was a little late covering) JUST in time to get the out.

Big time play.

Without the out, the game would have been tied and New York still has the bases loaded. If the ball gets down the line, it likely clears the bases and we know the result that would lead to.

And then to cap his night, Colvin singled in the 9th to keep the inning alive. One batter later, Ramon Hernandez gave the Rockies an insurance run with a single of his own.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Still Can't Hit Santana, Drop Series Despite Late Heroics (Manning Face Included)

Mets 6, Rockies 5 in 11 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: First and foremost, the Rockies can't figure out Johan Santana.

How bad has it been?

Well, in 22 career innings against them — spanning three starts — his ERA remains a perfect 0.00 (with no unearned runs scored either). And I have to be honest, I don't know that they've had more than five or six runners reach second base in those outings. He simply overwhelms and overpowers them, and the only saving grace today was that Terry Collins pulled him after six to help ease his workload. Otherwise, you'd probably be tacking another inning or two on that total.

Also bad? How about 1-for-11 with RISP (mostly late). That one of course being Todd Helton's pinch-hit grand slam in the eighth inning. That, and the first four hitters in New York's lineup killed them again (10-for-21, 3 RBI, 4 Runs, 3 walks). They simply could not find an answer for any of those guys all weekend.

Turning Point: The Rockies had come off the deck to tie the game twice when Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Hernandez stepped up with a chance to put New York away in the tenth (winning run was on second). Unfortunately, neither could deliver Troy Tulowitzki home — Cuddyer struck out, Hernandez popped out — and the game continued on. The Mets would then scratch another run across against Matt Belisle in eleventh and the Rockies would go down 1-2-3 to end it.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mets 4-29-12

Saturday Night's Recrap: Elusive Third Outs Haunt Rockies In Loss

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (10-10)

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

One week after feebly explaining his Sunday lineups, it appears Jim Tracy may have learned more from the fans than we learned from him. And I don't think anyone will appreciate that more than Jamie Moyer.

New York Mets (12-9)

1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis (CF)
2. Ruben Tejada (SS)
3. Daniel Murphy (2B)
4. David Wright (3B)
5. Lucas Duda (1B)
6. Scott Hairston (LF)
7. Ike Davis (1B)
8. Josh Thole (C)
9. Johan Santana (P)

That's the same lineup that drove Guillermo Moscoso crazy last night. Here's hoping Moyer has an easier time finishing them off.

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Elusive Third Outs Haunt Rockies In Loss

Mets 7, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Pretty simple. Guillmero Moscoro and Edgmer Escalona failed to finish off their innings strongly. On three separate occasions (twice against Moscoso, one against Escalona), the Mets were able to make something out of nothing with a two-out rallies/cheap runs.

In the third vs. Moscoso: New York used back-to-back singles from Ruben Tejada and Daniel Murphy and a David Wright double to create a two out run that gave them a 3-1 lead.

In the fifth vs. Moscoso: After the first two Mets were retired quietly, that same trio along with Lucas Duda singled consecutively to create three runs this time. Three runs that immediately answered Colorado's three run fourth, and gave New York a 6-4 lead.

In the ninth vs. Escalona: Mike Baxter started the inning with a double and was standing on third after two outs had been recorded. That's when Escalona uncorked a wild pitch (some confusion with the scoring on this... I'm going wild pitch) giving New York what proved to be a cheap yet valuable insurance run (7-4). 

Now, a portion of that credit goes to the middle of New York's order for their refusal to give away at-bats or go out quietly, but just as much discredit goes to the Moscoso and Escalona for simply not the big pitch to shut down an inning when they had the opportunity to do so. And for two guys looking to make a positive impression and stick around for awhile, this wasn't a strong statement game.

Turning Point(s): Hat tip to Ruben Tejada, who was the pivotal hitter in two of those innings and now has seven hits through two games in this series. Needless to say he has been a professional pain in the Rockies this weekend, so if he could just please go back to being Ruben Tejada tomorrow instead of Jose Reyes, it would be greatly appreciated.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mets 4-28-12

Friday's Wild Recap: Another Coors Field Thrill Ride Leads To 18-9 Victory

Colorado Rockies (10-9)

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. Wilin Rosario (C)
8. Dexter Fowler (CF)
9. Guillermo Moscoso (P)

When an offense erupts for 18 runs on 19 hits the night before, might as well stick with that same template. That's exactly what Jim Tracy has done here, with Wilin Rosario sliding in at catcher for Ramon Hernandez being the only change.

I think it's also safe to say that Chris Nelson has become the odd man out in the infield, and is now a possible DFA candidate the next time Colorado looks to tweak their roster.

New York Mets (11-9)

1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis (CF)
2. Ruben Tejada (SS)
3. Daniel Murphy (2B)
4. David Wright (3B)
5. Lucas Duda (RF)
6. Scott Hairston (LF)
7. Ike Davis (1B)
8. Josh Thole (C)
9. Dillon Gee (P)

If Guillermo Moscoso can hold Scott Hairston in check, then... 

Alright, let's not kid ourselves, he's not holding Hairston in check... so he might want to do a better job than Drew Pomeranz, Esmil Rogers and Josh Roenicke did of holding the other Mets in check. Otherwise, another 11-run inning will be required.

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

Rock Solid Recap: Another Coors Field Thrill Ride Leads To 18-9 Victory

Rockies 18, Mets 9 (boxscore)

Yup. just another one of those nights at Coors Field.

You know...

• 27 runs 
• 36 hits
• 7 errors (6 by the Mets - thank you very much) 
• 5 home runs (4 by the Rockies including a Ramon Hernandez Grand Slam) 
• 12 pitchers (6 for each side) 
• 1 Scott Hairston cycle (which comes as no surprise to Rockies fans) 
• A 5-RBI inning (Carlos Gonzalez) 
• Oh, and 1 catcher's interference on a pitch out. (Watch)

Mhm. No big deal.

Winning Player(s): So many of them tonight. If forced to pick just one, I think I might actually go with Marco Scutaro for the spark (4 hits and 4 runs) he provided at the top of the lineup. Then again, how do you overlook the big night (and inning) Carlos Gonzalez had? Watch his home run And then there's Todd Helton (3 hits), Jonathan Herrera (3 runs) and Ramon Hernandez (only 1 hit but 5 RBI).

You know, Matt Reynolds and Matt Belisle were pretty damn important as well, each recording at least three outs in relief without allowing a run. (If that doesn't sound like a big deal to you, please start this Recap over.) So honorable mentions to them with a giant hat tip to Belisle for striking out Scott Hairston with a pair of runners on base in the seventh. Big moment.

Turning Point: Of course, if I wanted to narrow it down to one moment, Eric Young Jr. would be the winning player, because once again his speed, hustle, desire, want to, whatever else you want to call it, changed the game positively for the Rockies.

After the Mets had scored four in the top of the fifth to take a seemingly commanding 6-2 lead, Young was summoned to pinch-hit for Esmil Rogers leading off the bottom half. On the third pitch, Young bounced one feebly back to Mets' fill-in starter Chris Schwinden. Now, for most professional baseball players, what follows are 5-6 token jog steps towards first base before taking a left or right turn back to the dugout. For EricYoung Jr., though, it means busting your ass down the line like you just laced one in the gap.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mets 4-27-12

In case you missed any details of the Rockies three-games-in-24 hours series in Pittsburgh, we have you covered right here.

Game 1: Rockies Killer B's Kill Rockies
Game 2: Rockies steal the first half of Wednesday's doubleheader
Game 3: And the settle for the predictable doubleheader split

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (9-9)

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. Ramon Hernandez (C)
8. Dexter Fowler (CF)
9. Drew Pomeranz (P)

Oh man. This lineup is going to drive many Rockies bloggers mad, and with some justification I might add.

Fowler, for all of the holes in his swing and the frustrations that go along with them, is a more productive hitter than Herrera. There's a better chance for extra base hits with Fowler, to go along with a few other dynamics he brings at the top of the order that are wasted hitting eighth.

That said, with Herrera, there's a much better chance for good at-bats and productive outs ahead of the Rockies run producers. Jim Tracy is obviously looking for more of those at this point in time, so the change is made and we wait to see how if plays out. 

Personally, I would have given Fowler this homestand to get it all together before making a change such as this, but we know Tracy's patience (especially with Fowler) tends to wear thin. 

New York Mets (11-8)

1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis (CF)
2. Ruben Tejada (SS)
3. Daniel Murphy (2B)
4. David Wright (3B)
5. Scott Hairston (LF) 
6. Lucas Duda (RF) 
7. Zach Lutz (1B)
8. Mike Nickeas (C) 
9. Chris Schwinden (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Everything is broken

That's the message I saw all Thursday night while attempting to write my Recrap. I found it to be a fitting message after Thursday's results. One that could also apply to Ubaldo Jimenez.

Ubaldo Jimenez is currently unavailable 

Ubaldo Jimenez is unavailable right now. We apologize for this interruption in his career.

All I kept thinking was "Dammit, work Blogger."

And then I started thinking "Dammit, I want Ubaldo to work, too."

I can't sit through another outing where he's htting low 90's on the gun. Where he's walking a pitcher twice. Where his body language screams "I can't do this, I have no confidence or feel for what I'm doing".

It's sad. We're past the point of excuses now. We need answers. Answers Jim Tracy apparently doesn't have or know how to find.

“I wish I knew … I wish I knew,’’ said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, when asked about Jimenez’s struggles. “I’ve done a lot of different things to try to get to the bottom of exactly where we’re at. … I wish I had an answer for you.’’

I don't care what Ubaldo is telling Jim Tracy, Bob Apodaca, Dan O'Dowd, whoever else is asking him questions, it's time to ignore him and it's time for the Rockies to charge of the situation. Make him get an MRI. Spend a sleepless night in the video room. Look back at how sound his mechanics were last season, and get them there again.

Find the answer.

Mets 9, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

Finding positves...

-- Clayton Mortensen was really good again, providing 2+ innings of scorless relief. Listen, I don't know how excited I should get about this guy, or if I should even get excited at all, but the production he's giving this team in whatever role they assign him has been outstanding. He earns more respect each time out.

-- Carlos Gonzalez walked three times.

-- Todd Helton is a treasure.

-- Johnny Herrera homered again. He's no Carlos Beltran, but it's nice to know he can run into one from either side of the plate on ocassion.

-- Troy Tulowitzki was 0-for-4, but that line drive to left field his last time up was encouraging. Bad result. But keep that swing.

I hate bunting...

Jim Tracy's decision to sacrifice with Dexter Fowler in the 8th with 1st and 2nd, no outs, down 7-5 made my head hurt. Yes, it's a by-the-book move. You're supposed to play for the tie at home and the win on the road. That's fine. I don't agree with it, but whatever, that's how it's written.

But to give away an out, any out, at any point of the game with this offense? You must be crazy. Throw the damn book away. Granted, Jose Lopez was coming up, which makes a double play more likely than a hit, but still. Lopez has power. He could have changed the game with one swing. Instead, predictably, you give away the out and the inning dies soon after.

Again, Tracy didn't necessarily make the wrong call. One hit by Jose Morales or Jason Giambi makes him look smarter. I would just like to see a more aggressive mindset offensively. Go for the win. Go for the big inning.

Lineup Card: 5-12-11 Rockies vs Mets

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 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you. 

Links

• Tuesday's Recrap: That was bizarre 
• Druidlove Sports: The highs and lows of baseball
• Purple Row: Thursday's Pebble Report
• Rockies Review: Rockies still learning from Lansford
• All Things Rockies: Injury Report

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (19-15)

1. RF Seth Smith
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. CF Ryan Spilborghs
7. 3B Jose Lopez
8. C   Jose Morales
9. P   Ubaldo Jimenez

New York Mets (16-20)

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. 3B Willie Harris
3. RF Carlos Beltran
4. LF Jason Bay
5. 1B Daniel Murphy
6. 2B Josh Turner
7. C   Josh Thole
8. CF Jason Pridie
9. P   Jon Niese

Rock Solid Recrap: That was bizarre

No other real word I can find to describe the action at Coors Field on Tuesday. It was one of the more bizarre games I've seen, and that's saying something coming from a Rockies fan since Day 1.

The injuries, the solo home runs, the Tarp Monster claiming another victim, the weird Dexter Fowler vs. Mike Pelfrey at-bat that morphed into a Ryan Spilborghs vs. Jason Isringhausen at-bat. And of course, the first ever Paulino vs. Paulino battle that yours truly foreshadowed in Tuesday's Lineup Card. Not that I'm proud of that fact.

I also predicted Ian Stewart would... oh, **** it.

Mets 4, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

-- I came away from this game knowing one thing for sure: Jason Hammel is one tough dude.

I mean that physically, and I mean that mentally.

To block out the pain after taking that line drive in his calf, and to continue pitching and pitching well for three innings afterwards. That says a lot. That was a man-sized effort. Definitely not his best from a pitching standpoint, but still an outing where your appreciation grows and you're more thankful to have a guy with his makeup representing your baseball team.

-- What a swing by Carlos Gonzalez on that home run to straight away center. Now, if we can only a) trick pitchers into to throwing him that same pitch at-bat after at-bat, or b) have him improve his pitch recognition so he can make pitchers challenge him, things will be much better for all of us.

-- Troy Tulowitzki struck out for the first time in the month of May. That's a cool little stat. But the problem is popping up the first pitch to the second baseman is just as unproductive, and it also allows the opposing pitcher to throw less pitches.

At least he hit that home run. That was nice to see. Unfortunately he didn't follow it up with anything encouraging.

-- I mentioned Felipe Paulino earlier. He pitched a scoreless inning!

-- Did I also already mention this game was strange? I believe I did.

-- Even though the Paulino and Jose Lopez lottery tickets haven't worked out for Dan O'Dowd, he's hit the jackpot so far with a reliever whose name I shall not mention for fear of jinxing his outstanding performance.

-- That was an awesome three pitch walk by Ryan Spilborghs. One of the better ones you'll ever see.

-- I really hope Dexter Fowler can bounce back quickly from fouling that ball off his leg. Obviously his legs are of vital importance to the Rockies from a defensive standpoint, so to be without him for any period of time is going to add a lot of extra stress on the pitching staff. Not to mention it would also take away one of the two or three most consistent bats in the lineup.

And then we're faced with the reality that his replacement would likely be Willy Taveras.

Now I don't feel well.

Be well, Dex. Please be well.

Lineup Card: 5-10-11 Rockies vs Mets

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 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's Recap: Chris Iannetta night at Coors Field
• Purple Row: Chris Iannetta - All-Star? (I added the question mark) 
• Blake Street Bulletin: Power Outage 
• According to @Rockies on Twitter, Ty Wigginton will go on a rehab assignment at Colorado Springs on Wednesday and Thursday. 
• Troy Renck also reported (via Twitter) that Esmil Rogers will have an MRI on his arm after experience further soreness during his long toss today. 

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (19-14)

1. CF Dexter Fowler 
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. RF Seth Smith
7. C   Chris Iannetta
8. 3B Ian Stewart
9. P   Jason Hammel

Is this really the make or break game for Ian Stewart? It could very well be... and you know what? I think he gets a couple hits tonight. Maybe even a home run. He can take Mike Pelfrey. 

New York Mets (15-20)

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. 2B Daniel Murphy
3. 3B David Wright
4. RF Carlos Beltran
5. 1B Ike Davis
6. LF Jason Bay
7. C   Ronny Paulino
8. CF Jason Pridie
9. P   Mike Pelfrey

Anybody looking forward to a potential Paulino vs. Paulino matchup in the 9th inning or so tonight? No?

Rock Solid Recapuano: Chris Iannetta night at Coors Field

The Rockies couldn't let their feeble offensive efforts sabotage another good night of pitching on Monday night. Especially against Chris freaking Capuano. They desperately needed someone to take charge. Someone had to be a difference maker. A game changer.

That man was the man I've been hoping it would be all season: Chris Iannetta.

Rockies 2, Mets 1 (boxscore)

In the 5th, Iannetta led off with a rope into left center field. He wasn't satisfied with a long single, so he rounded first with a full head of steam and barely slid safely into second base with a double.

I mean barely.

Jason Pridie fielded it cleanly and made a good throw. If Iannetta doesn't get there it probably looks pretty bad, but he got there. And it's a good thing he did, because it gave Dexter Fowler a chance to drive him in, which he did.

Watch Fowler's RBI single

Iannetta's big night continued in the 7th, when he hung a clothesline to left field that amazingly stayed up long enough to leave the ballpark. I think it shocked everyone in the park and watching at home that it stayed up, and even stayed fair, but it was hit so hard that it no choice.

Watch Iannetta's rocket home run

That gave the Rockies a 2-1 lead.

Rafael Betancourt pitched a strong 1-2-3 in the 8th, which set up Huston Street for his first save chance since last Thursday. Willie Harris started the 9th with a ridiculous check-swing single into left field, but Street recovered to get Jose Reyes on a flyball to left field. That set up Iannetta to be the man again, as he threw out Harris trying to swipe second base.

Watch Iannetta's throw

What a fantastic throw. Street would get another great defensive play from Troy Tulowitzki to end it.

But the night truly belonged to Iannetta, who seemingly put an exclamation point on his strong start to the 2011 season.

-- Jhoulys Chacin had a weird night on the mound, walking six over six innings, but only allowing two hits and one run. He had small stretches of brilliance, random wildness, and hard fought one-on-one battles. But the end result was a solid piece of work that afforded a scuffling offense the chance to win it with one big swing.

--Jim Tracy had a good night. He didn't do a whole lot, which is what I always prefer, but his 7th inning Matt Reynolds/Matt Belisle switch-a-roo made sense based on the matchups. And Belisle even got himself a W. His third of the season.

-- Tweet of the night courtesy @ibleedcsugreen 

Rockies license plates are a great idea. You can drive around knowing you'll never hit anything on the road.

-- Nice win for the Rockies to get. As big as it was for them, probably a bigger win for the fans, who seemed to be at their breaking point on May 9th. Long ways to go, folks. Long ways to go.

Lineup Card: 5-9-11 Rockies vs Mets

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 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

Yesterday's Recrap: Cy Vogelsong has no ring to it

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (18-14)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Todd Helton
6. RF Seth Smith
7. C   Chris Iannetta
8. 3B Ian Stewart
9. P   Jhoulys Chacin

New York Mets (15-19)

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. 2B Daniel Murphy
3. 3B David Wright
4. RF Carlos Beltran
5. 1B Ike Davis
6. LF Jason Bay
7. CF Jason Pridie
8. C   Josh Thole
9. P   Chris Capuano

Rock Solid Recap: Boomsticks & Broomsticks

Rockies 9, Mets 4 (boxscore) 

Not in our wildest dreams could we have imagined the Colorado Rockies winning a series in Pittsburgh, following that up by not only winning that elusive series in New York, but sweeping an entire four game series in New York, including sweeping a doubleheader. That sh... stuff never happens! None of it.

But you know what? When Troy Tulowitzki isn't in the mood to lose. When Jonathan Herrera muscles up for his second career home run. When you get back-to-back solid starts from both Esmil Rogers and Greg Reynolds. When your closer can be awful in a save situation and you still don't blow the game.

When all of those things come together -- you may be a little bit lucky, but -- you're not going to lose.

-- Yes, I said Jonathan Herrera went yard. He turned on a Taylor Buchholz pitch and hit a three-run missile into the right field seats in the 6th inning. That came two batters after Brad Emaus failed to turn the easiest inning-ending double play of life with Jorge De La Rosa running. Dexter Fowler also had a clutch two-out, RBI single which set the table for Herrera.

Watch Herrera's rocket

The reactions of Troy Tulowitzki, Jim Tracy and the guys in the dugout are priceless.

-- Troy Tulowitzki completed his sweep of New York. He became the first player to homer in every game of a series at Citi Field. In case you forgot, this was a four game series.

Watch Tulo's 99th career homer

-- Jorge De La Rosa's day was an interesting one. He did not have much command of anything early on. He left several flat pitches right in the happy zone and New York's right-handed bats made him pay with some good swings, but never could deliver a knockout blow. They would regret that because Jorge collected himself in innings five, six and seven.

In the end his lined looked this: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO, 1 WP. 116 pitches.

Again, considering the way he started that's an excellent line. But on a normal day under normal circumstances I wonder how long Tracy would have stuck with him.

-- Good job by the bullpen -- Matt Reynolds, Rafael Betancourt and Felipe Paulino -- to eliminate any and all drama from the second game. We all needed that little late inning breather, but no one needed it more than Jim Tracy.

-- Todd Helton had three hits. Because he's a freaking brilliant hitter.

-- Carlos Gonzalez waits patiently for Dexter Fowler to catch a flyball in Game 2.

-- Well, the Rockies will be dragged kicking and screaming back to Coors Field for a homestand beginning with the Cubs on Friday. This would be an easy series to overlook coming off this roadie and looking ahead to the Giants coming in next week. Hopefully Colorado can maintain the focus necessary to take care of business.

Rock Solid Recap: If that's the first one...

Just a real quick recap of today's Game 1.

Rockies 6, Mets 5 (boxscore)

-- Carlos Gonzalez got off the home run schneid with an absolute rope into the right field seats.

Watch CarGo's Clothesline from Hell

-- Troy Tulowitzki followed that with a home run of his own. He now has 21 home runs in his last 37 games. I have nothing to add to that.

Watch Tulo go back-to-back

-- Reynolds was really excellent again today. I can only think of one baseball put in play with any type of authority -- David's Wright double. He had two misjudged flyballs for hits. He had the very definition of a ducksnort RBI single by Scott Hairston. And then there was the slow roller through the spot vacated by Tulowitzki covering second base.

Other than that... nothing. A well deserved win.

-- I'll steal this paragraph from Troy Renck's blog on the Franklin Morales injury.

Franklin Morales can’t escape drama or attention. There are no contrasts with the left-hander. He’s either really good, really bad or involved in a weird play. The latter happened today as Morales injured his right ankle/foot covering first base in the sixth inning of the first game of a doubleheader.

That's exactly how it goes for Morales.

-- But it was a better day for the other Morales... Jose. His first hit as a Rockie was a clutch two-out, two-run double in the 6th. He also had a really solid day behind the plate.

Watch Jose put the Rocks ahead for good

-- Rough day for Huston Street. The good news? It didn't result in a blown save or loss. Matt Lindstrom closed the door!

Watch Lindstrom's heart-stopping final out

-- Was Carlos Gonzalez still attempting to nonchalant a flyball he couldn't even see? Looked like it in the first inning. If so, does it get any more stylish than that?

-- If that's the first one... I'm not sure how much hair I'll have left by the end of day. Dark hair that is.

Lineup Card: 4-14-11 Rockies @ Mets (Game 2)

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 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Colorado Rockies (9-2)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 3B Ty Wigginton
6. 1B Todd Helton
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jorge De La Rosa

New York Mets (4-8)

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. CF Angel Pagan
3. 3B David Wright
4. RF Carlos Beltran
5. 1B Ike Davis
6. LF Scott Hairston
7. 2B Brad Emaus
8. C  Mike Nickeas
9. P  Chris Capuano

Lineup Card: 4-14-11 Rockies @ Mets (Game 1)

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 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Unless it's Game 1 of a mid-morning doubleheader in New York.

Colorado Rockies (8-2)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. RF Seth Smith
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Jason Giambi
6. 2B Jose Lopez
7. 3B Ian Stewart
8. C   Jose Morales
9. P   Greg Reynolds

New York Mets (4-7)

1. SS Jose Reyes
2. 2B Daniel Murphy
3. 3B David Wright
4. 1B Ike Davis
5. CF Angel Pagan
6. LF Willie Harris (At least he won't lose one in the lights...)
7. RF Scott Hairston
8. C   Jose Thole
9. P   R.A. Dickey