Rock Solid Recap: That Happened

How many times have we said we've seen everything, only to see something we've never seen before that blows everything we've already seen out of the water?

At least once a week with these Colorado Rockies.

Chris Nelson stole home plate today. (Highlight)

It was the first steal of ML career. It happened in the 8th inning. It was the game-winning run.

You heard me.

He stole home... off a right-handed pitcher. That just doesn't happen! It shouldn't happen. It should never happen, yet it happened today.

I have a new formula for the sabermetricians out there.

Situation + Circumstances + Atmosphere + Guts + Milestone in a young baseball player's career = The greatest stolen base of all-time! By my math, Nelson is the greatest base stealer of all-time.

Rockies 6, Reds 5

How did we get to that point?

Well, the Reds jumped all over Jason Hammel early, scoring one in the first and four more in the second. The Reds were aided in those innings by a couple blown calls and some sloppy Rockies defense.

From that point on Hammel was excellent. He wasn't brilliant by any stretch, but he battled through all the early stress and some middle inning traffic to end up with a 7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB & 6 K line. Damn right I'll take that.

The Rockies began their comeback with a 2-run bomb to CF by Jason Giambi (Highlight) in the 4th. From there it was Dexter Fowler doubling home EY Jr. from first on a double that was actually cutoff off in the gap (Highlight). EY's speed proved to be a difference maker once again.

In the 7th, the Rockies mounted a rally on Logan Ondrusek. Dusty Baker turned it over to Aroldis Chapman. Jim Tracy countered with Jonathan Herrera, who did what he needed to do. He put the ball in play and the Rockies got their 4th run. Chapman rebounded to get CarGo to 6-4-3 DP.

Then came the 8th. Tulo tied with a towering blast to RF (Highlight). Jason Giambi drew a walk. Chris Nelson pinch ran. The wheels fell off the Reds. Baseball history was made.

Matt Reynolds did his job out of the pen. Matt Belisle did his and was rewarded with a win. Huston Street struck out the side in the 9th to earn his 17th save.

What an awesome day at Coors Field.

Tomorrow

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in town and that makes me nervous. These guys have caused the Rockies some trouble. It's a classic situation where an emotional letdown takes place. The Rockies can't afford that. As well as everything is going right now, this team still has little to no margin for error.

Take care of business!

Jorge De La Rosa vs Joe Saunders

Rock Solid Recap: Depth Matters

I mean it really matters. That's what gives the Rockies such a huge advantage over all the other beat up squads come September.

Think about it. This team has released Brad Hawpe. They lost Ian Stewart to a ribcage injury. They lost Clint Barmes to major suckage. Aaron Cook takes one off the lower leg (which turned out to be awful news). Melvin Mora needs a nap. Todd Helton needs a couple innings off.

No problem.

Rockies 9, Reds 2

The Rockies just keep finding guys to plug in the holes.

Seth Smith in RF -- HR (highlight)

Johnny Herrera in for Mora who was in for Stewart -- Clutch 2-run single to start the Rockies scoring. (highlight)

Eric Young at 2B -- 2 hits, 2 RBI, good defense, pain in the opponent's ass. (highlight)

Esmil Rogers relieves Cook in the 6th -- Gives the team a couple innings. Had some traffic, but limited it to only one run. Now we'll have to see if it's Rogers or Jeff Francis who takes Cook's place in the rotation. I'm betting on the latter.

Chris Iannetta plays a little 1B -- With the Rockies up 9-1 in the 6th, I suggested tonight could be the night we finally see this happen. I honestly didn't think it would happen, but every now and then the blind squirrel finds the nut.

Other contributions came from Manny Delcarmen, Samuel Deduno, and Jay Payton even reached base. None of those guys were officially on the roster 10 days ago. We even saw Michael McKenry make his ML debut. Quality 7-pitch AB that ended in a popout.

Of course there were contributions from old faces as well. Namely a guy known as Tulo. Two bombs for him tonight (HR #1 & HR #2) And one can't overlook the five solid innings from Aaron Cook before the unfornature injury ended his night, and possibly his season.

I have so much respect for Aaron Cook and everything that he has overcome in his career. It just makes me sick that he comes back looking mentally recharged and physically refreshed, only to have another bout of bad luck. Real shame. Get well soon, Cookie.

Tomorrow

Could the Rockies sweep yet another first place team?

Jason Hammel vs Travis Wood

I have to tell you, this Travis Wood can do some things. He held the Rockies to one run over six innings back in July. A game the Rockies won 1-0 behind Cook. Wood also hit his first ML HR in his last start. He's an all around player with a quality arm.

But I'm thinking Hammel gets this job done and seals the deal.

Rock Solid Recap: Future Ace & MVP Carry The Night

Jhoulys Chacin took another step towards superstardom with what should have been six innings of shutout baseball against one of the NL's top offenses. The only thing standing in the way of shutout baseball was a brain cramp by Melvin Mora that extended Cincinnati's 4th inning.

Oh well... a win is a win is a win!

Rockies 4, Reds 3

Chacin's stuff is for real.

You know what else is for real? His courage. I love that he has absolutely no fear of attacking hitters like Ryan Howard and Joey Votto. None. Take your best shot at me because I'm taking my best shot at you.

That's not always the smartest approach for a pitcher against hitters of their elite status, but when your stuff can back up your guts, you have a combination that is tough to beat. I love this kid.

Carlos Gonzalez now leads the league in two of the triple crown categories (BA & RBI) after hitting a 3-run first inning homer.

You know, I don't really care what his numbers look like on the road (though they have been MUCH better lately), I just know that without Carlos Gonzalez, the Rockies wouldn't have a heartbeat right now. He is the heartbeat, and his overall numbers are putting him in a position to make baseball history.

If the MVP vote were today, I honestly don't know how you give it to anyone else. Offensive numbers aside, he's also a candidate for 30 steals and plays some of the best outfield in all of baseball. No one can match his value right now. At least not in the NL.

Honorable Mentions: Eric Young (2 hits), Dexter Fowler (2 hits), Miguel Olivo (3 hits), Matt Belisle (Hold), Rafael Betancourt (Hold) & Huston Street (Save).

Congratulations: To Trevor Hoffman on his 600th career save. What an amazing feat by kid that was drafted as a shortstop. Think about that.  And then think about how lucky we are that this wasn't 601.

Welcome Back: Paul Phillips and Jay Payton.

Two veterans that have done all that was asked of them in AAA. They have handled themselves like professionals and they definitely deserve the honor.

It's a shame Taylor Buchholz was DFAed to make room for Phillips though. I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind why Buchholz was the one to go. Perhaps it'll be explained soon.

Tomorrow

Aaron Cook vs Bronson Arroyo

Cook shut the Reds out for 7 innings back in July. Earlier in that same series Arroyo threw seven innings of two run baseball.

I gotta be honest folks... I don't see either of them fairing nearly that well on Wednesday night. I hope I'm wrong about Cook, but I think we're in for a long game.

Rock Solid Recap: Ubaldo Becomes THE Man

In life, turning 18 signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood.

In the case of Ubaldo Jimenez, winning 18 signifies the transition from being A man to being THE man among men in Colorado Rockies baseball history. He now stands alone as the single season franchise leader in wins, and stands a good chance of extending that record to 20.

Amazing.

Congratulations to Ubaldo on his fantastic accomplishment, on his record-breaking season, on his incredible poise and maturity, and above all, on just being a quality person. They just don't make athletes this special with such unassuming attitudes anymore, so we really must treasure his rare mix of talent and modesty.

Rockies 10, Reds 5

-- Ubaldo wasn't at his absolute best today, but he still pitched like an ace in my opinion. When aces don't have their best stuff, they find ways to survive, give their team innings, and give their team a chance to win. Ubaldo accomplished all three.

For that type of effort to be rewarded with his record-breaking 18th victory... to me, there's no better way to write the script. It's the type of outing that highlights how much he has grown as a pitcher.  That's what it's all about.

Feel safe to assume he's right back in the Cy Young race.

-- Of course Ubaldo needed a little help to notch that big win. Help came in the form of Troy Tulowitzki. Troy has shortened his swing recently to compensate for lingering pain in his wrist. The results of that shortened swing? Pretty damn good.

Troy showed immense power hitting two bombs to straight away center over the weekend in San Diego. He followed that up with a game-typing triple (highlight) and go ahead home run (highlight) this afternoon.

Hold on to that swing!  And maybe teach Ian Stewart how to use it as well.

Just a suggestion.

-- Carlos Gonzalez with three more hits today. Two doubles (highlight). Two RBI. What else is new?

-- Table setters Eric Young and Dexter Fowler each recorded two base hits. Each singled off of phenom Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the 6th inning, providing the insurance runs needed for the victory. Those two at-bats simply can't be overlooked (highlight & highlight).

-- The bullpen (Esmil Rogers, Matt Reynolds annnnnd Franklin Morales... yes, that Franklin Morales) allowed one run on two hits over the final three innings.  Solid.

-- I have to say this about Jim Tracy. Once that calendar turns to September and he has options to work with, he seems to manage a better, more relaxed game. What gets him into trouble is overmanaging a game in May and June like it's September. That tends to wear his bullpen down quicker.

Tomorrow

Jhoulys Chacin vs Johnny Cueto

Can't stop now. Must. Keep. Winning.

Rock Solid Recap: Halfway to 100 Wins

Of course they won't get there, but 50 is still half of 100.

Rockies 1, Reds 0

Staying positive while attempting to provide a realistic persepctive isn't always easy.

Aaron Cook, Chris Iannetta, and Huston Street made it a little easier today.

Aaron Cook

The Rockies desperately needed the Ohio native's best today.

• 7 IP
• 6 H (scattered just enough)
• 0 R
• 1 BB
• 5 K (tied season high and a couple were very well timed). 
• 82 pitches -- 58 strikes
• 12 groundouts -- 4 flyouts.

Those ratios and things all qualify in the good-to-great range. Add them all together and they equal Cook's first road win of the season.

Highlight: Cook's 7 Shutout Innings

Chris Iannetta

Fantastic game by Chris. The HR will get most of the pub -- it's a worthy highlight to be sure -- but the job he did behind the plate with Cook and the bullpen is what really sealed this win.

He asserted himself several different times with trips to the mound. I don't keep track of stuff like that, but it seemed to me that each visit was well timed and meaningful.  That's a sign his comfort and confidence as a catcher are rising with each start.

Dare we give Miguel Olivo any credit for that?

If Iannetta continues moving the direction he's going now, the Rockies will be employing the most valuable backup backstop in the league. That's a far cry from where they were a month ago.

Highlight: Chris Iannetta's Solo HR

Huston Street

Were you a little worried?

I wouldn't blame you.

For me, though, Huston Street is the truest definition of a closer you can find. I watch him. I see the opponent bloop a hit in here and there. First and third, one out, no outs. I don't get worried.

Heart rate accerlates a couple beats a minute, but it's not the overwhelming feeling of dread I've had with the other 900 closers we've seen in the Rockies history.

Maybe I'll get uneasy when Tracy uses him four days in a row, or the first couple appearances off the DL, but my general feeling with Street is this guy in a Top 5 closer in baseball. If healthy, the Rockies have a bargain on their hands -- and will also soon have a brand new all-time saves leader.

Highlight: Street Closes The Door

Jonathan Herrera

Lost the hitting streak, but provided two superb Web Gems.

Highlights: Diving Stop, Great Throw

Travis Wood

He's going to be really good. He's already more than good enough to fill a 4th-5th rotation spot. He may never reach Volquez territory (ace stature) in their organization, but the Reds don't need him to either.  Their rotation depth will make the Reds very dangerous in 2010 and well beyond.

Wood gets the majority of the credit for holding the Rockies offense in check today. That said, they still need to find ways to scratch together an extra run here and there. Their inability to do so has been the difference between wins and losses on several occasions already.  That won't change in Florida and Philadelphia.

Tomorrow

It's Ubaldo day.  Which means scratching and clawing for the extra run or two will definitely be the difference in a win or a heart-breaking, low-scoring loss.

Rock Solid Recrap: The Reds Are Definitely Contenders

That much is not up for debate.

What could be up for debate is whether or not Cincinnati is the best team in the National League right now. Assuming they're adding a healthy and effective Edinson Volquez to the mix... then I don't know who I'd put ahead of them.

They have offense, defense, pitching in the rotation and in the bullpen.

Yikes.

Another thing up for debate is what exactly are the Rockies?

Can we base our answer on one homestand that featured several heart-stopping victories?

Or should we base our answer on the other 80 games where sloppy defense, inconsistent offense, amateurish baserunning and poor managing stuck out like sore thumbs?

Discuss amongst yourselves on that. I think I know which way I'm leaning until I finally see something resembling sustained solid baseball without the aid of incredible late inning heroics.

The sooner than happens the better. They'll never survive this roadtrip playing the baseball we've seen the first two nights in Cincinnati.  No chance at all.

Reds a lot, Rockies not much

It would easy (and lazy) to put all the blame on Jorge De La Rosa tonight.

Yes, he obviously isn't right out there. That was pretty apparent in the first inning when every pitch was doing the same thing and ending in the same place. Became a lot more obvious once the Reds figured it out and made him elevate his flat ptiches.

Sadly, as obvious as it was to us and the Reds, Jim Tracy either didn't notice or didn't care enough to pull him while the game was within reach. Those three extra batters he squeezed out of Jorge after Drew Stubbs' second HR, resulted in three more runs.

Game over.

You kept Jhoulys Chacin in your bullpen for a reason, Jim. USE HIM. He's not that far removed from the rotation. Getting 4-5 innings out of him wouldn't be that much of a stretch.

De La Rosa wasn't a pitcher having a rare bad outing tonight. He's a guy two starts removed from the DL that has been pretty dreadful in each start, in addition to the last AAA start right before that. It really makes no sense leaving him out there to die.

What's wrong with DLR? I'm guessing either lingering discomfort in the ligament or a lack of trust in the ligament. If you don't feel like you can grip the ball without doing damage, you're cooked out there. De La Rosa looks completely cooked.

If that problem can't be corrected, or if he's still hurt, fine, you have to move on again and put Chacin back in the rotation. But you're also back to putting a lot of pressure on Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook. Can they step up? That's the problem.

In other news tonight. The offense started out promising but couldn't mount a meaningful threat after the first inning.

Nine strikeouts for Volquez in six innings of his return. He's good. He's probably going to get better, but still. An ugly showing from 1-8 in the order.

Tomorrow

It won't get any easier at all. This Travis Wood kid we'll see for CIncinnati? Heard the name? He's the one who, in his third ML start, took a perfect game into the 9th ininng AT Philadelphia. This will be ML start #4.

I suppose he won't do any better than the last one, but I'm guessing offense will tough to find again. Good luck to Aaron Cook.

Rock Solid Recrap: Can't Touch Arroyo

MC Hammer Time: In the buliding.

Jason Hammel Time: In the building.

Rockies Offense: Not in the building. At least not until the 7th inning.

Reds 3, Rockies 2

This is how I would describe the 6+ innings of tonight's game.

1st Inning -- Hit the snooze button

2nd Inning -- Finally rolled out of bed. Had that straight out of bed look.

3rd Inning -- Wiping their eyes and yawning.

4th Inning -- Stretching.

5th Inning -- Stumbling into the bathroom.

6th Inning -- Shaving.

7th Inning -- Preparing breakfast. Finally glancing at their watches to realize they're two hours late for work.

In the first six innings, the only offense the Rockies could muster was a Johnny Herrera infield single that Brandon Phillips flagged but could maintain the handle on.

That's it.

Arroyo faced the minimum 18 batters through those six innings. He retired the first two batters of the 7th, before allowing a single to CarGo and an RBI double to Jason Giambi.

Reds color man Jeff Brantly said it well several different times. The Rockies simply weren't waiting back on Arroyo's offspeed pitches until Gonzalez did in the 7th inning. It was a terrible showing of plate discipline and/or preparation.

I think I'll lean towards plate discipline after witnessing the 8th inning.

Miguel Olivo leads off with a HR. Terrific start. Ian Stewart worked a walk off Arroyo. Barmes followed up with a single to end Arroyo's evening.

Dusty Baker turns the game over to him All-Star reliever Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes procedes to walk Spilborghs to load the bases. Nobody out still. 3-2 game. Top of the order (speed) coming to the plate. We just need a well struck baseball or two.

Dexter Fowler -- Made one he best catches I've seen all season to keep the Rockies in the baseball game (highlight). His plate appearance here wasn't nearly as pretty. He popped up a 1-1 pitch into short RF. No chance for advancement.

Not to be harsh on Dexter He's shown some improvement since his recall. Unfortunately, since the HR against St. Louis, every AB result seems to be a K or a flyout. He's not working counts as deeply. He's not making the solid gap-to-gap contact anymore. It seems he liked the feel of the HR and he wants to feel it again.

That needs to be corrected quickly or the Rockies will have a big hole at #1 again.

Jonathan Herrera -- Maybe for the first time all season looked overmatched in a plate appearance. Arthur Rhodes pretty much carved him up and set him down looking on an inside fastball.

Carlos Gonzalez -- Had one goal in mind: Grand Slam.

Every swing was for the downs. He wanted to jack one over the Ohio River, over Kentucky, and have it land somewhere in the gulf of Mexico. It was a really bad AB. He missed every pitch by a foot.

The Rockies would mount no threat in the 9th.

It was a game they really had no business winning the way they played early. The Dexter Fowler play and the fine work done by Jason Hammel (career high 10 Ks) kept them in a great position. They just couldn't get the big hit in their one amazing opportunity to score.

Tip your cap to Arroyo and the Reds bullpen. Tip your cap to their fans for creating a playoff like atmosphere. They are clearly hungry for a winner in that town. That was so evident tonight. They might be twice as pumped tomorrow with Edinson Volquez making his long awaited return from Tommy John Surgery.

Jorge De La Rosa will attempt to spoil that return while reassetring himself in the Rockies rotation. Should be another fun one.

Hits & Misses: Spring Training Game 24

Rockies 10, Reds 6 (Boxscore)

Hits

Ubaldo Jimenez

Yes, he failed to get through five today, but he got his work in and maybe he got a rough outing out of the way that would have come at a worse time. He got himself an RBI knock in this game as well. That's nice to see.

Todd Helton

Typical Todd: Two hits and two walks. On base all four times up.  The Rockies plan on giving Helton several more days off this season, and I'll tell ya, if he keeps reaching base four times a game, he may need even more days off.

Read more »

Hits & Misses: Spring Training Game 22

Rockies 9 Reds 1 (Boxscore)

Hits

Brad Eldred

Once again, how nice is it that the Rockies have guys like Eldred and Michael Paulk killing the baseball this spring, and nobody is talking about them making the major league team? We've come a long, long ways.

Jorge De La Rosa

He's ready. I'm ready. Ubaldo's ready. Good thing there's still two weeks left, though, since nobody else seems to be ready.

Read more »