A Double Rock Solid Recrap With Errors... Lots Of Errors

Game 1: Phillies 3, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: I think we saw this game before. Oh yes, it was Friday when the Rockies also scored two runs early, stopped scoring, blew the 2-0 lead, and then lost 3-2 in the 9th to the Phillies. Mhm. Same script. Same result. Including two wins for Jonathan Papelbon. Bleh.

Turning Point: 9th inning with Philadelphia hitting. The Rockies had just elected to intentionally walk Chase Utley to put runners at 1st and 2nd with two outs. Acceptable strategy implemented there by Mr. Tracy to give his team more options to record the third out. Problem is, with Ryan Howard hitting, Wilin Rosario wiped that strategy out by committing yet another passed ball (I've lost count of the official number - it's too damn high). That put the winning runner (Nate Schierholtz, of course) at third. Howard is intentionally walked to load the bases to again give them more options defensively, but also zero margin for error.

Then this happened.

Watch the Rockies lose on Mayberry's walk-off single

Phenomenal effort there by Carlos Gonzalez, it just wasn't in the script for him to make that catch.

Tyler Chatwood's Pitching Line: 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 76 pitches (41 strikes)

Poor command and walks aside, Chatwood was pretty effective this afternoon. And that's pretty much him in a nutshell this season. He'll flash some promise but it's always marred by inconsistency and inability to throws strikes. He, like the other young Rockies starters, needs to clean that up before he can take the next step forward.

Tyler Chatwood's Batting Line: 2-for-2, RBI

Well, there's no doubt Chatwood had confidence at the plate today, raising his season average to .300 with these two hits. The RBI was the first of his career.

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Rock Solid Recrap: A True Jim Tracy Classic

Phillies 3, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Oh man, that was a fun one, wasn't it?

No?

The offense, bullpen and Jim Tracy ruined your night?

Yeah, I understand. They probably would have ruined mine too if I wasn't too busy watching the Pittsburgh Pirates commit a ridiculous seven errors against the Cubs. But you don't care about that one. You want to read about the Rockies offense snapping its 19-inning scoreless streak with a two-run first... and then starting a brand new 8-inning streak by not scoring the rest of the game.

Or better yet, you want to read about the Rockies overworked bullpen losing its 20-inning scoreless streak thanks in part to Carlos Torres allowing a pair of 7th singles, and thanks in part to, in my opinion, unnecessary tinkering by Jim Tracy.

With expanded rosters and extra relievers at his disposal, this is the time of year where Jim really gets to be himself. I'll let you decide if that's a good thing or not overall, but he probably would have been better served to let Torres work out of his own jam (he needed one out), as he has done many times in the piggyback role, rather than going to Matt Reynolds against Chase Utley. The result of that plate appearance was a walk, which is better than a home run I guess, but Tracy was again forced to make a change to Josh Roenicke as the inning continued,

Charlie Manuel countered that change by pinch-hitting Laynce Nix for Ty Wigginton. Bam, Nix drops a two-run double and it's tied at 2.

Now obviously I can't guarantee you things would have gone better had Torres remained in the game. But I do know that two innings later the Rockies were forced to use Will Harris in the 9th (since Tracy likes to save his closer for the save chance on the road), and predictably bad results materialized. I just didn't like any of it (including the awful failed hit-and-run with pinch-runner Andrew Brown and D.J. LeMahieu hitting in the 9th) and I don't care if it sounds like second-guessing.

PS: We need to get Nate Schierholtz out of the National League. Now!

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Rock Solid Recrap: Sunday Snoozer

Phillies 5, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Looks like I picked another good (Sun)day to miss a game. The Rockies were again mystified and dominated by Cole Hamels, which is understandable. He's a motivated pitcher right now and he's also among the most talented in either league. It's not like it's a random shutout by Jeff Suppan or Chris Capuano, so that's fine. It happens.

Unfortunately, though, Hamels may soon be a fixture in the National League West (assuming the Dodgers trade for him or sign him in the offseason, which is heavily rumored), so hopefully they figured a few things out in the process of being stifled.

Get in that video room.

Drew Pomeranz's Line: 5 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 80 pitches (49 strikes)

A step back for Pomeranz today, but certainly not a big enough step to discourage me. Everything went satisfactory right up until Philadelphia's two-out rally in the 5th. The Jimmy Rollins single, the Shane Victorino walk, and of course the three-run homer by Hunter Pence.

It's the same old, tired, worn out problem the Rockies have had all season  — their inability to close out innings. It has to improve. They have to become better finishers, get themselves back in the dugouts quicker and allow their teammates to get off their feet and get comfortable at the plate.

Oh, and allow fewer runs. Also important.

But focusing on Pomeranz primarily, the feeling I get from watching him and listening to/reading his words is that he is very comfortable with his game right now, but also understands there are things to improve on to take those next 4-5 steps in his development. I think Sunday's experience gives him that next new thing to focus on, so it'll be interesting to see how he attacks it and comes back his next time out.

Turning Point: We just talked about it. The Hunter Pence home run moves a 2-0 game to a 5-0 game in those pivotal middle innings. No way the Rockies could recover with Cole Hamels dealing.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Gonna Rockie

Phillies 8, Rockies 5 (boxscore) 

What Went Wrong: They'll let you feel good and have fun watching baseball for a day or two... and then they're right back to the sloppy, lackadaisical, unfocused Rockies we've grown accustomed to over the last three seasons. Even if they only resort to it for an inning or two, it's too much, and it's difficult to overcome.

Of course it doesn't help when Jeremy Guthrie starts at Coors Field and you're darn near out of the game before even taking your first at-bat. But this still proved to be a winnable game down the stretch. A lazy pitch here. An awful baserunning mistake there. That's all it took to eliminate their chances to clinch this series.

Turning Point: The Rockies had chipped away with two runs in the 3rd and trailed only 4-2 in the 6th. That's where the currently struggling Adam Ottavino entered in relief and things got away again. And the frustrating thing about it is the inning lined up very well for Ottavino. Two outs, no one on base with the light-hitting Juan Pierre coming up. Pierre gets the single, steals second, but that's OK because you can walk Mike Fontenot (who really isn't more threatening that Pierre) intentionally to bring up the pitcher Vance Worley.

An absolutely perfect setup: Until Ottavino makes the one lazy, lousy pitch to Worley, who doubles home his first two RBIs of the season. That makes it 6-2 and puts you in a spot where even Wilin Rosario's three-run homer isn't enough. Brutal execution.

Jeremy Guthrie's Line: 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 76 pitches (45 strikes)

Ugly, ugly start. Decent recovery to keep the team in the game. Somebody please offer us a Low-A prospect or something comparable because I'm running out of things to say about Guthrie other than we're all ready to move on.

Highlight of the Night: Watch Baby Bull Sr. connect for his home run

Not Highlight of the Night: Watch Tyler Colvin embarrass himself on the bases

That crap can't keep happening.  Big league baseball players shouldn't have to be reminded to hustle and/or finish plays, but it happens so often with the Rockies over the past three seasons that at some point somebody has to be held accountable. It's not one player. It's several players. It doesn't matter how many pieces of furniture you move around, this stuff still exists because the people who are in a position to rectify the problem refuse to send the proper message the MOMENT the situation occurs.

I would start benching players for this stuff. Instantly. Why wouldn't you at this point? The message has to be sent. You can't worry about embarrassing the player, because he wasn't concerned about embarrassing the organization and the fanbase with his laziness. Make them accountable. Teach them they have a responsibility to play hard and play smart. Those are the two things they can control. Those are the two things they owe everybody. We can live with the results as long as you honor those two things.

What's Next: Series on Sunday at 1:10. I'll be at the Townsend family reunion in Wisconsin. Most of you will be watching Drew Pomeranz (1-3, 3.06) vs. Cole Hamels (10-4, 3.20). Hopefully we'll have good things to discuss tomorrow night.

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

Rock Solid Recap: Rockies Rookies Roll Over Phillies

Rockies 6, Phillies 2 (boxscore)

What a refreshing restart to the season this was. The Rockies looked sharp in their 6-2 win over Cliff Lee and the Philadelphia Phillies. I mean they looked very sharp, and they looked focused on playing team ball and fundamental ball.

Generally I wouldn't get too excited about this after watching the first three months of this season, but the Rockies played this way in Washington prior to the break, so perhaps there really is a new focus and a stronger commitment to playing smarter and playing more for each other. Maybe. We'll have a better feel for that after we examine the next 48 hours, but at the very least this was an encouraging performance and a very enjoyable game to watch.

Winning Player: Josh Rutledge

The Rockies prospect is called up to the big leagues on Friday. His luggage is lost by his airline. He has to borrow equipment from piratically everyone in the clubhouse. Oh, and he's in the starting lineup against Cliff Lee.

All of those occurrences on their own would have been enough to overwhelm me.

Rutledge? Not knocked off stride, phased, or intimidated one single bit. He finished his major league debut 2-for-2 with a walk, a sacrifice fly and  two RBIs. He was the key offensive cog. He was a professional in every plate appearance. He looked the part of big leaguer.

It's one game.

It's one damn good game.

Turning Point: Rutledge's sacrifice fly. It came in the 6th with the game tied at 1. There were runners at first and third with one out. It's a scoring opportunity the Rockies have failed to convert repeatedly this season, many times because of that damn contact play, but Rutledge was able to get enough lift and enough distance to get Tyler Colvin home with the go ahead run.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Phillies 7-13-12

The 2nd half is upon us. 

The Rockies have 77 games remaining.

Can we stomach it?

How many Colorado Rockies players/coaches will survive it?

When will we see Nolan Arenado?

Will Tyler Colvin continue pushing Todd Helton out of the picture?

I have no guaranteed answers to any of those questions... BUT... I do have tonight's lineups and roster moves!

Colorado Rockies (33-52)

1. Dexter Fowler (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (2B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Ramon Hernandez (C)
5. Michael Cuddyer (1B)
6. Tyler Colvin (RF)
7. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
8. Josh Rutledge (SS)
9. Christian Friedrich (P)

Roster moves galore out the break. First of all, Todd Helton hits the DL with his hip injury, So yes, that will open things up for Tyler Colvin for the time being. It's also a DL situation for Wil Nieves, who's apparently suffering from turf toe. That's never fun. And Tyler Chatwood was optioned to Double-A Tulsa to make a start this weekend. 

Coming up: Prospect Josh Rutledge, who you see in the lineup, is the move for Helton. Assuming he sticks (and he should once Marco Scutaro is moved), he will start seeing extensive time at second base since that's where his Rockies future will be. Ramon Hernandez is also back, as you can see by him hitting CLEAN UP tonight. Alright then. And we also welcome right-hander reliever Mike Ekstrom. 

*Exhale*

Philadelphia Phillies (37-50)

1. Jimmy Rollins (SS)
2. Shane Victorino (CF)
3. Chase Utley (2B)
4. Ryan Howard (1B)
5. Carlos Ruiz (C)
6. Hunter Pence (RF)
7. Placido Polanco (3B)
8. John Mayberry (LF)
9. Cliff Lee (P)

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

Rock Solid Recap: Maybe Jeff Francis Should Start Four Times A Week

Rockies 4, Phillies 1 (boxscore)

You know, since the Rockies lone two wins in the last 14 games have come in Francis starts. Let him start. Give him a 30-pitch limit. Give one day of rest. Bring him right back.

That's pretty sound logic, right Jimbo?

Winning Players: I was all set to name Wilin Rosario and Chris Nelson the Winning Players before last night's ridiculous 9th inning meltdown. To their credit, they came right back tonight and earned the right again by each connecting for a two-run homer to help the Rockies avoid the sweep.

Highlights of the Night

Watch Chris Nelson's two-run homer

Watch Wilin Rosario's two-run homer 

The month of June hasn't provided many positives. In fact, Chris Nelson's recent improved play is the only one I can think of off hand. I'm sure there's something obvious I'm missing though. As for Rosario, he's strong as hell, and should he develop anything resembling decent plate discipline, he'll be pretty special.  For now, though, I'll just enjoy the tape measure bombs and his kid like enthusiasm as he rounds the bases.

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Phillies 6-21-12

Wednesday's Recrap: Another Lesson In Losing Baseball

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (25-42)

1. Dexter Fowler (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (SS)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Michael Cuddyer (1B)
5. Tyler Colvin (RF)
6. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
7. Chris Nelson (2B)
8. Wilin Rosario (C)
9. Jeff Francis (P)

Dexter Fowler earned his way back into the lineup with a great relief appearance, so that's good to see. Tyler Colvin remains in the lineup himself, but he'll swap positions defensively with Michael Cuddyer after struggling mightily in his last start at first base. 

Philadelphia Phillies (33-37)

1. Jimmy Rollins (SS)
2. Juan Pierre (LF)
3. Hunter Pence (RF)
4. Carlos Ruiz (C)
5. Shane Victorino (CF)
6. Placido Polanco (3B)
7. John Mayberry (1B)
8. Michael Martinez (2B)
9. Vance Worley (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Another Lesson In Losing Baseball

Phillies 7, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

Admittedly my attention was diverted as I spent most of the evening researching and writing about Troy Tulowitzki's groin, but I was 100% focused for the 9th inning.

Quite honestly, what more did one need to see to analyze the latest exhibition is losing baseball?

What Went Wrong: Right here I should be writing about Wilin Rosario, Chris Nelson and Dexter Fowler being the reasons the Rockies pulled off a thrilling road win tonight. Instead I'm writing about the same old crap as every night. The Rockies and Rafael Betancourt couldn't hold a 6-5 lead in the 9th. They were ONE out away from holding it. The first two batters in the inning were harmless outs, but that elusive 3rd (27th) out never came.

Ty Wigginton base hit... because of course Ty Wigginton would get a base hit.

Hunter Pence doubles into the corner. Wigginton was running on the pitch, so he scores easily to tie it.

Carlos Ruiz intentionally walked.

Shane Victorino follows with a groundball to Marco Scutaro at short. Marco hesitates as he contemplates running to second or throwing to first. The hesitation costs him, because Victorino is fast and he also hustles. That loads the bases.

Placido Polanco follows with another groundball to Scutaro. This one he flags down just behind second base. He again contemplates a flip to second, but D.J. LeMahieu was also en route to the baseball and had to duck out of the way. This causes Scutaro's throw to sail a little bit, but he's still on target to Todd Helton, who inexplicably is off the base and couldn't locate it in time to beat Polanco.

Rockies lose. Again.

Yes, all of that really happened. Even the part where Todd Helton was out of position (he says he expected the ball to get through the infield). It's scary, folks. Todd Helton is the one guy on the team you'd expect to never assume anything, to always pay attention to detail, yet he lapsed tonight and it happened at the worst possible time.

Needless to say, this season is wearing on everybody. Even the great Todd Helton. But unlike the man guiding the ship, Helton offered no excuses for his miscue. He should have been there. He knows he should have been there. He's probably not going to sleep well tonight because of it, but at least he owned up to it.

Hopefully a few other guys lose sleep tonight, too, because the game should have never made it to that point.

Alex White's Line: 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 75 pitches (Damn, Jim Tracy is good at this pitch limit thing), 43 strikes

The home run allowed was the first of the season for Michael Martinez. The zero strikeouts are a season low. Umm... oh, and Rockies starters have combined for eight innings pitched in two starts under the new four-man rotation.

Bullpen's Line: 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K

The positive here was the three hit-free, walk-free innings from Jeremy Guthrie. I have no idea what that means, but it's a positive.

What's Next: Can the Rockies avoid a sweep on Thursday night???

Their "starter" will be Jeff Francis (0-1, 12.46). His mound opponent will be Vance Worley (3-3, 2.80). First pitch is scheduled for 5:10. Francis' last pitch is likely to come before 6:10.

Final Thoughts: The Rockies learned they lost Troy Tulowitzki for eight more weeks with an injury we've never heard of before. Then they went out and lost a baseball game in a way we've never seen before.

Somehow, someway, tomorrow will be worse.

I can almost guarantee it.

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

Lineup Card: Rockies @ Phillies 6-20-12

Tuesday's Recrap: This Really Is The Road To 100

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (25-41)

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

Is Jim Tracy intentionally sabotaging Dexter Fowler, or is Jim Tracy an imbecile? 

Oh wait, we already answered that in Tuesday's Recrap. It's unintentional, but it's completely unacceptable.

Also, the latest on Troy Tulowitzki is that he'll be "out awhile" after surgery Thursday to clean out scar tissue in the left groin area that is pressing on a nerve. Of course this is devastating news for the Rockies lineup, but apparently great news for the Rockies fans on Twitter who passionately root against him. 

Philadelphia Phillies (32-37)

1. Jimmy Rollins (SS)
2. Juan Pierre (LF)
3. Hunter Pence (RF)
4. Carlos Ruiz (C)
5. Shane Victorino (CF)
6. Placido Polanco (3B)
7. John Mayberry (1B)
8. Michael Martinez (2B)
9. Joe Blanton (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: This Really Is The Road To 100

Phillies 7, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: The Rockies showed up. The Phillies showed up. This game was pretty much over when those two things happened.

Turning Point: The Rockies led 1-0 (I kid you not) in the 3rd inning and Josh Outman was one out away from working three scoreless when he walked Jimmy Rollins. Naturally, Placido Polanco followed that up with an RBI double to tie the game. One inning later, Outman was again one out away from a scoreless inning when John Mayberry hit a two-run homer.

Long story short, the Phillies scored 6 of their 7 runs with two outs.

Josh Outman's Line: 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 72 pitches (40 strikes)

Game 1 of Jim Tracy's latest failed experiment (more on that later) went about like you'd expect. Josh Outman was, in two words, Josh Outman. That basically means a lot of baserunners, and the Phillies capitalized on their opportunities with those timely two-out hits. That said, without the new pitch count Outman likely gets through the 5th. That would have been nice for the bullpen.

Bullpen's Line: 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR

Adam Ottavino finally had a rough night (allowed all three runs), but I suppose we should get used to those now that he'll be overworked even further.

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Lineup Card: Rockies @ Phillies 6-19-12

Sunday's Recrap: Another Completely Dreadful Sunday

Check out the Q & A I did for the entertaining Phillies blog That Ball's Outta Here

Lineups 

Colorado Rockies (25-40)

1. Eric Young Jr. (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (SS)
3. Tyler Colvin (LF)
4. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
7. Chris Nelson (2B)
8. Wilin Rosario (C)
9. Josh Outman (P)

All I can say is stay tuned to tonight's Recap. I may have a thought or two on Jim Tracy's latest stroke genius. 

Philadelphia Phillies (31-37)

1. Jimmy Rollins (SS)
2. Placido Polanco (3B)
3. Hunter Pence (RF)
4. Carlos Ruiz (C)
5. Shane Victorino (CF)
6. Ty Wigginton (1B)
7. John Mayberry (LF)
8. Michael Martinez (2B)
9. Cole Hamels (P)

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

Lackluster Recrap: Thanks for the education

Not that we needed one to realize how far the Rockies are from being relevant in the National League. The Phillies are definitely the measuring stick right now, and thanks to them we confirmed the Rockies are pretty comfortably stationed between the bottom of that stick and the halfway point.

Not even good enough to be mediocre.

Phillies 8, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

Considering Jason Hammel's ups and downs of late, I'd say Wednesday's start went pretty close to what you'd except. Which is unfortunate, because Halladay's start went nothing like I expected. Something decent from Hammel would have actually positioned the Rockies to win this game. Judging from his postgame comments, he's just as dissatisfied with himself as the rest of us.

Rex Brothers continued his very recent struggles. He's now allowed runs in each of his last three appearances, taking the loss in two. That's after allowing ONE run in the 18 appearances prior. So basically, I think any lashing out in his direction would be short-sighted and unnecessary. Hopefully not too much of that is happening in Denver.

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Lackluster Recrap: Apparently the Phillies have 7 aces now

Isn't that about where Kyle Kendrick ranks on the Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching depth chart? And that guy shuts you out for eight innings on four hits? What a train wreck.

Of all the hideous performances this season against marginal big league starters, this one rates pretty close to the most disappointing, discouraging, and dare I say, disgusting.

Throw in embarrassing while you're at it.

And nauseating.

Phillies 5, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

Sometimes when I have nothing nice to say about the Rockies performance I just jump right to the three positives in this spot. That's not going to happen this time. All I'm going to say is hats off to Edgmer Escalona for coming in and providing three scoreless innings of relief. That could come in handy on Wednesday if 1,000 things happen to go in the Rockies favor and they have a chance to beat Roy Halladay.

Honestly, if the Rockies don't get no-hit by Halladay I might be pretty thrilled. I'm fully expecting a full-on no-hitter alert deep into that game. Maybe even a perfect game alert.

That's all I have. I could sit here for another hour trying to think of creative ways to describe how poorly they played, or I could go to bed.

I'm going to bed.

Lackluster Recrap: Street + Phillies = Sadness

This season stinks doesn't it?

Phillies 4, Rockies 3 (10) (boxscore)

One out away from putting away the dreaded Phillies. If It seems like we've been there 100 times before, it's because we've actually been there 5-6 times. And that final out never seems to come. Unfortunately, they are the one team that owns Huston Street. Not that he hasn't had a bad outing here or there against someone else, but that's the team that always gets him.

They tormented him all throughout 2009, with the playoffs being nothing short of disastrous. He didn't face them in any meaningful action in 2010, but did fare well in two appearances. Save opportunity on Monday; two up, two down rather easily, and back to tormenting. Couldn't finish them.

Huston doesn't seem like the type that would let a team get in his head, but if the Phillies aren't in there, I'd be shocked. And if he doesn't have nightmares about that 3-2 pitch to John Mayberry that tied the game, I'd be shocked about that as well.

Steet has now allowed 10 home runs on the season. That's tops in baseball for a reliever and 25% of his total allowed in seven seasons. So yes, a very disturbing number, and looking at the here and now a big concern. But I'd like to think there's a good chance it'll get better if he simply starts locating better and making smarter pitches.

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Lineup Card: 8-1-11 Rockies vs Phillies

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 every night game and some afternoon games.

Links

Weekend Rec(r)aps

• Friday: Hammel punches back against Padres
• Saturday: The show must go on
• Sunday: Weekly Sunday Recrap
• Bugs & Cranks: Ubaldo Q & A with... Me 

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (51-57)

1. LF Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. 2B Mark Ellis
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Ty Wigginton
6. 3B Chris Nelson
7. RF Seth Smith
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P    Jhoulys Chacin

Well here's your lineup against Cole Hamels. Todd Helton sits probably due to his recent 4-for-25. Seth Smith starts because there are so few options available. Mark Ellis hits third because.... And Eric Young in left field at Coors Field.

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Rock Solid Recap: Three times a Giambi

Zero hits in five weeks. Defensive liability. Manager wasn't giving him any starts at first base in recent weeks. I'd say anybody -- myself included -- that was questioning Jason Giambi's place on the Colorado Rockies roster had plenty of validation to do so.

Heck, he probably wasn't even going to be in Thursday's lineup if not for Todd Helton's back stiffening up on him. But like any proud person does when faced with criticism and given an opportunity to prove doubters incorrect, Giambi stepped up on Thursday night in the biggest way imaginable.

Watch Jason Giambi's first home run

Watch Jason Giambi's second home run

Watch Jason Giambi's third home run

His first career three home run game. He tied a career high with seven RBI. Amazing night.

And we have to give credit where credit is due. Jim Tracy spotted a flaw in Giambi's batting stance during a film session with hitting coach Carney Lansford. Giambi listened to the suggestion to stand more upright at the dish, adjusted, and baseball history was made.

Hats off to all of them for working together to make this special game possible.

Rockies 7, Phillies 1 (boxscore)

-- Speaking of special game's, Jhoulys Chacin's performance was unreal. He dominated the Phillies from start to finish. Granted, their lineup is far from full strength, but that's not his concern. His concern is to beat who's in front of him, and he handled his business like an established ace. It was a joy to watch.

-- Jose Lopez had four hits on Thursday. I don't know if anyone helped him with his stance, but that's a pretty damn good confidence builder for him. As nice as Giambi's game was on several levels, Lopez's performance could be more important long-term if he can build on it.

-- Oh my, Chris Iannetta, 0-for-5 with four strikeouts and another wild pitch allowed that led to a run. That means all three Philadelphia runs in the series came courtesy of a wild pitch/passed ball. He did do a much better job as the game moved along at blocking pitches, so that was good. And once again he called an excellent game, so you'll take the good with the bad.

-- Felipe Paulino pitched a scoreless ninth inning. I know... this was bizarro night at Citizens Bank Park.

-- And how about this for a nightcap: Franklin Morales was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later. Good for Dan O'Dowd for making a tough decision with Morales. It can't be easy to give up on a 25-year-old lefty with a nice arm. Especially knowing if Morales turns it around this has the chance to look like a terrible move. But O'Dowd can't worry about that right now. The Rockies have to field their best 25. This puts them one step closer to that.

Gutsy call all things considered. I respect it and hope it works out for all involved.

Lineup Card: 5-19-11 Rockies @ Phillies

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: Rockies lose by 270 feet
• All Things Rockies: Todd Helton has a stiff back
• Purple Row: Fans (Lack of) Confidence and Pinch Hitters

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (22-19)

1. CF Dexter Fowler
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 1B Jason Giambi
6. RF Seth Smith
7. 3B Jose Lopez
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Jhoulys Chacin

Philadelphia Phillies (26-16)

1. SS Jimmy Rollins
2. CF Michael Martinez
3. 3B Placido Polanco
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. RF Ross Gload
6. LF Raul Ibanez
7. C   Carlos Ruiz
8. 2B Pete Orr
9. P   Joe Blanton

Yeah, this lineup isn't all that scary. Go get'em, Jhoulys. 

Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies lose by 270 feet

It was an old fashioned pitcher's duel at Citizens Bank Park between Jorge De La Rosa and Cole Hamels. Unfortunately, Hamels got the best of it, striking out eight and allowing only five hits and one run over eight innings.

That left De La Rosa as a tough luck loser. He'll have to settle for a complete game as consolation prize, having lasted eight innings with five hits and two runs (one earned) allowed.

Phillies 2, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

With both pitcher's dealing, this game really game came down to one interesting baserunning decision and two different pitches that cost the Colorado Rockies 270 feet.

In the first, Alfredo Amezaga singled with one out. The next batter, Carlos Gonzalez, pulled a single to right field that John Mayberry Jr. charged, fielded cleanly in shallow right field, and made a great throw to nip Amezaga at third. It was an aggressive attempt. Not sure how smart it was, but I know the result was costly for Colorado.

The two pitches occurred later. Chris Iannetta committed a passed ball in the fifth that put a runner at third with one out. And then Jorge De La Rosa tossed a wild pitch in the eighth that also put a runner at third with one out.

In both instances the Phillies cashed that runner in. In a game that ended up 2-1, I'd say that was pretty significant. You tip your cap to them for executing, but it was very frustrating from my perspective because I really thought Chris Iannetta could have done a better job preventing those runners from advancing.

I've never donned the tools of ignorance at any point in my life, so I have no experience attempting to do what I'm being critical of here. But there's no denying Iannetta's technique can be sloppy from time to time. That he gets into stretches where his first reaction is to backhand everything. If you're expecting a fastball up and it's two feet in front of the plate, it's going to be difficult to block it with the proper technique, but it's impossible when your first instinct is to backhand it.

Heck, sometimes Chris will backhand pitches on the inside corner and take them right out of the strike zone. I don't think that's what he wants to be doing there, but again, I have no catching experience.

I was probably too harsh in my tweet on the wild pitch. But it was frustrating to watch. It may seem like a minor thing overall, but on a night when run scoring opportunities were scarce and every 90 feet was of the utmost importance, it was magnified.

To Iannetta's credit, he called a terrific game. He had De La Rosa's full trust with the game plan and that led to a gem. The offense just couldn't get anything going against Cole Hamels. And then they wasted Seth Smith's lead-off double in the ninth with Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Giambi all striking out.

And no doubt there were some questionable strike calls mixed in there.

Hopefully the Rockies can put this one behind them and head into tomorrow's game maintaining the confidence they built sweeping San Francisco. There's no shame in splitting in Philadelphia.

Lineup Card: 5-18-11 Rockies @ Phillies

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: Make Giants play defense, you win
• Purple Row: Know Your Foe: Phillies
• Purple Row: Ian Stewart did what?
• Rockies Review: Polarizing Rockies must ride momentum
• Rockies Woman: Comeback Kids

Lineup

Colorado Rockies (22-18)

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

Uh oh... looks like Jim Tracy is developing a little crush on Alfredo Amezaga. See what happens when you get a good bunt down?

Philadelphia Phillies (25-16)

1. SS Jimmy Rollins
2. CF Michael Martinez
3. 3B Placido Polanco
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. RF John Mayberry
6. LF Raul Ibanez
7. C   Carlos Ruiz
8. 2B Wilson Valdez
9. P    Cole Hamels

Boy, you take Jayson Werth, Chase Utley and Shane Victorino out of their lineup and we're looking at the San Diego Padres all over again. Oh, crap, the Padres took two of three over the weekend. Forget I said anything.