Rock Solid Recrap: Rockies Swept For Third Straight Weekend

Mariners 6, Rockies 4 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Coming in to Sunday, Seattle's starter Blake Beavan had never struck out more than four batters in a big league start (23 career). He struck out seven Rockies. In just five innings.

That's just one example of the crap that led to Colorado being swept for the third consecutive weekend (Braves, Dodgers, Mariners). Plenty more are on the way.

Turning Point: This isn't so much a turning point. It's actually more along the lines of one of the most poorly executed defensive plays I've ever seen. It happened in the 1st inning with the game still scoreless. Seattle had men at the corners with two outs when Kyle Seager (runner on first) takes off for second hoping to draw a throw so his team can possibly steal a run.

You've seen the play before a million times... especially if you or one of your children played youth baseball or softball. There it works pretty much all of the time. In the big leagues, you either eat the baseball or have something designed to counteract the play, usually resulting in an out. Heck, some teams even get a double play out of when they execute their plan.

The Rockies? Well, let's just say they looked like they've never seen, heard of, or prepared for the above scenario, because as soon as Seager ran, all hell immediately broke loose.

First it was Wilin Rosario's throw to second that sailed to the shortstop side of the base, almost as if he was expecting Troy Tulowitzki to take the throw. Nope, it was Marco Scutaro's play. After Scutaro lunged to make the catch, he came up firing wildly back to the plate... completely over the head of Rosario.

Watch the Rockies sad defense 

Seattle's Dustin Ackley was credited with the steal of home. Seager was able to advance all the way to third and eventually scored on Justin Smoak's single.

Brutality.

Read more »

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mariners 5-20-12

Saturday's Recrap: I'll Have Another

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (15-24)

1. Eric Young (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (2B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
7. Wilin Rosario (C)
8. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
9. Jeremy Guthrie (P)

The power outage at the Townsend residence all morning and early afternoon was simply another reminder that the Rockies were playing this afternoon. Anyway, the power is back now. Maybe the Rockies can finally find theirs as well.

Wilin Rosario with his third straight start? Well, maybe Jim Tracy DID get fed up with Ramon Hernandez after those two absurd at-bats in Thursday's loss to Arizona. If so, good on you, Jim.

Update: Apparently the tendonitis in Ramon Hernandez's left hand has flared up again and is the reason Rosario has started all weekend. Thanks to @RockiesRoad for the heads up on that.

In another bit of news this afternoon, Rex Brothers has been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs to work on a few things... as in everything. Adam Ottavino returns to take his roster spot. So hopefully you're a big Josh Outman fan, because the Rockies newest lefty is about to see increased work late in games. 

Seattle Mariners (18-24)

1. Dustin Ackley (2B)
2. Michael Saunders (CF)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
4. Kyle Seager (3B)
5. Jesus Montero (C)
6. Justin Smoak (1B)
7. Mike Carp (LF)
8. Brendan Ryan (SS)
9. Blake Beavan (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: I'll Have Another

Mariners 10, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

I'll let you decide if that was a horse racing reference or a reaction to today's Rockies game.

Hint: It's both.

What Went Wrong: I'll take the Gregg Popovich approach here.

*Non-answer because the question is repetitive and the answer is obvious*

Next question.

Christian Friedrich's Line: 5 IP, 8 ER, 9 H, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 100 pitches (56 strikes)

I'm not even annoyed with Friedrich for the first walk. His 3-2 pitch to Jesus Montero was right at the knees and caught the outside corner, but Paul Schrieber plain and simply squeezed him. Of course Kyle Seager's two-run homer followed that, and things predictably unraveled from there with three more walks and some pesky Mariners hitting that saw them using the entire field to their advantage.

So yeah, this certainly was not an encouraging Coors Field debut for Friedrich, but I'm still confident his stuff is plenty good enough to succeed in Coors Field as long as the walks are limited. That's what killed him today. That's what kills everybody.

Turning Point: I'll go with the 3-2 pitch to Montero that I mentioned above. Who knows, maybe if Schrieber rings Montero up there it changes Friedrich's outlook. It really was a perfect pitcher's pitch. To not get that call had to stick with him. Not that I'm making excuses for Friedrich, but there's undoubtedly a fine mental line that young pitchers walk in Coors Field. It doesn't take much to knock them off balance.

Read more »

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mariners 5-19-12

Friday's Recrap: Owned by Kevin Millwood. That's pretty close to Rock Bottom.

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (15-23)

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

Today's big question: Does this lineup have more than two hits in it?

I've going with yes. In fact, I'm predicting at least 15 hits because this will be one of those home games where the offense overcorrects itself after a brutal performance. You know, kinda like they did after Barry Zito shut them out and then they went nuts on Tim Lincecum. One of those deals.

Seattle Mariners (17-24)

1. Dustin Ackley (2B)
2. Casper Wells (LF)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
4. Jesus Montero (C) 
5. Kyle Seager (3B) 
6. Alex Liddi (1B)
7. Michael Saunders (CF) 
8. Brendan Ryan (SS) 
9. Jason Vargas (P)

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

Rock Solid Recrap: Owned by Kevin Millwood. That's pretty close to Rock Bottom.

Mariners 4, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: Kevin Millwood shut the Rockies out on two hits.

Any further questions?

Turning Point: The Rockies first hit didn't come until two outs in the 6th. The game can't turn if one team's offense completely no-shows.

Any further questions?

Alex White's Line: 7 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 7 H, 0 BB, 7 K, 98 pitches (66 strikes)

Jim Tracy publicly pleaded with Alex White to come out firing strikes, to pitch with confidence, and to avoid the tentative style that has become common with Rockies pitchers. White responded to that challenge by pounding the strike zone, walking nobody, and delivering one of the more complete outings we've seen from any pitcher at Coors Field this season.

It just wasn't as good as Kevin Millwood's.

Anyway, White truly was Colorado's lone positive in this game. Hopefully the other pitchers on this staff take note. You can survive at Coors Field if you pitch effectively to contact. You simply cannot survive pitching anywhere if you fear contact.

Highlight of the Night: Watch Alex White's seven strikeouts

Screengrab of the Game: Congrats @RockiesRoad on having your question answered on the air!

Who doesn't love Jenny's purple phone?

What's Next: We're looking at some Saturday afternoon baseball tomorrow with a first pitch of 2:10 MT. Impressive rookie Christian Friedrich (1-0, 1.38) will make his Coors Field debut in that one for Colorado. He'll be opposed on the mound by Seattle's Jason Vargas (4-3, 3.28).

And to avoid any confusion, this game WILL NOT be blacked out in Colorado or anywhere else. The Fox Sports broadcast begins tomorrow at 5:00 MT, meaning Root Sports will have rights to the broadcast.

Final Thoughts: Busy days are ahead. I'm back on the Big League Stew beat as of Friday night with a handful of contributions coming each week. That won't necessarily change the volume of posts here at Heaven & Helton, but on certain nights it will change the timing a bit and perhaps the length of the content. I'll simply ask you for your patience with me when those nights occur.

Thanks, as always.

We'll be back to regularly scheduled baseball thoughts in this space tomorrow.

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

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Mariners 5-18-12

Thursday's Recrap: Blake Street Brutality

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (15-22)

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

I'd like to think Wilin Rosario is starting because of those two miserable at-bats Ramon Hernandez took yesterday, but it's not like Rosario's lone at-bat was much better. And beyond that, the two catchers have been playing every other day for about the last two weeks regardless of who's playing well, so this is just a continuation of that. 

Seattle Mariners (16-24)

1. Dustin Ackley (2B)
2. Michael Saunders (CF)
3. Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
4. Kyle Seager (3B)
5. Justin Smoak (1B)
6. John Jaso (C)
7. Mike Carp (LF)
8. Brendan Ryan (SS)
9. Kevin Millwood (P)

Speaking of catchers, I'm going to predict John Jaso will be the random Mariner to kill the Rockies all weekend. 

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

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 33 vs. Seattle

With the opening day roster set, there really isn't a need a for hits and misses this afternoon. Instead, we'll just looking at the guys who indeed "got their work in".

Juan Nicasio

4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K

This wasn't a pretty conclusion to Nicasio's spring, but aside from Drew Pomeranz he was the Rockies most consistent and impressive starting pitcher in Arizona. He'll start the Sunday game in Houston, and I'd be willing to bet someone's money that he'll be much better in that one.

Tyler Chatwood 

1 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 K

This outing didn't exactly solidify Chatwood's somewhat surprising inclusion on the opening day roster. Like I said yesterday though, he'll likely be the first guy to go down, and he does provide value as a long reliever. That's ultra important over the first 10 days or so.

Bullpen 

Rafael Betancourt and Matt Belisle were on point with 1-2-3 innings today. Meanwhile, Rex Brothers allowed one hit but rallied to collect his second save of the spring. All three will be bringing their A games on Friday.

Offense 

Just about everyone provided a hit today. Even Dexter Fowler had an extra base hit. Jonathan Herrera had a double of his own and knocked in three. Michael Cuddyer (in his returned from being plunked by Yu Darvish) doubled, walked and scored twice. Contributions up and down the lineup. Good balance. Oh, and Seattle's five errors didn't hurt either.

Read more »

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 32 vs. Seattle

The 25-man roster is now set (via Thomas Harding).  

In addition to holding Drew Pomeranz off the roster until he's needed on April 15, the Rockies will also hold Jamie Moyer off the opening day roster but will activate him prior to Saturday's game in Houston. That affords Jim Tracy some position player depth in case the opener goes extras and even if Troy Tulowitzki's elbow is still barking.

Most surprising name on the roster: Tyler Chatwood

I didn't see this coming, but it actually makes sense to have Chatwood around early in the season when the starters may not go as deep into the game. He's the type of guy that can give 2-3 innings at a moment's notice, so that's a nice option for Jim Tracy. That said, he'll probably be the pitcher that goes down once Moyer and Pomeranz come up and the roster is set because he needs the most seasoning and doesn't project as a reliever.

Most surprising name missing: Edgmer Escalona

The only thing Escalona had going against him this spring was the option remaining on his contract. Well, that, and a rough outing today that included beaning Jesus Montero (awful timing). Yeah, overall it was a tough day for Edgmer, but he'll be back in the big leagues soon enough you can bet on that.

Read more »

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 17 vs. Seattle

Hits

Jordan Pacheco

With only four innings of play in the books, Pacheco's two walk day was easily the best among Rockies players offensively. He also gunned out an attempted base stealer named Chone Figgins (fast), so he definitely made the most of the limited action.

Misses

Mother Nature

The people of Arizona may disagree with me because they obviously needed the rain, but come on, it's a rare chance to watch some spring training action live and she ruined it. She could have waited at least another two hours!

Got Their Work In

Tyler Chatwood

Chatwood's outing highlighted why the Rockies like him — three scoreless innings to start — while also reminding them why the 22-year-old will need some extra minor league seasoning before contributing. His fourth inning was little rough around the edges, and not exactly smooth on the inside either.

Read more »

Spring Training Game 32: Hits, Misses & Foul Tips

Mariners 7, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

Hits

Troy Tulowitzki

He hit a baseball a long ways today. That two-run homer was the extent of the Rockies offense in this uninspired Cactus League finale. I don't blame them, I'm just as uninspired writing this recap.

Misses

Jhoulys Chacin

Not the way Chacin wanted to end his spring. But much like Jorge De La Rosa's uneven outing yesteday, it doesn't matter a whole lot. I don't believe either guy had their pedal to the metal like they will this weekend against Arizona. Same can be said for Felipe Paulino and Huston Street.

Foul Tips

Real Baseball

As much I enjoy recapping these spring games, I much prefer talking about games that matter. Opening day is less than 72 hours away! I. Am. Ready.

Spring Training Game 31: Hits, Misses & Foul Tips

Mariners 7, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

Hits

Offense

Everyone in the lineup today (minus Jose Lopez) recorded at least one hit. Willy Taveras and Ty Wigginton each had three, with Willy scoring twice and Wiggy driving in three. Matt Pagnozzi muscled up for a long ball. 14 hits in total.

Rafael Betancourt

Dial it up big man. Betancourt with his best outing of the spring, striking out all three batters he faced. And I don't care that they were Brendan Ryan, Jack Wilson and Kalian Sams.

Misses

Jorge De La Rosa

Eh, final tuneup wasn't very smooth, but who cares. He gets the D-Backs on Saturday and I expect a much sharper and more focused DLR.

Matt Belisle

Belisle was unable to record an out today. Three singles and an error by right fielder Bronson Sardinha were enough to give Seattle the two runs they needed to pull the game out. So that's nice for them. I think their announcers are still screaming like they won a game in September or October. Sheesh.

Foul Tips

One more

Tomorrow is the final day of Cactus League baseball before the Rockies move on to Tulsa. That means tomorrow will be the final Hits, Misses & Foul Tips of the spring. Fine with me. I'm ready to talk about games that count. Apparently the Mariners announcers are as well.

Spring Training Game 25: Hits, Misses & Foul Tips

Rockies 6, Mariners 5 (boxscore)

Hits

Jorge De La Rosa

Good stuff from DLR tonight (6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K). The K/BB is especially fun to look at when you think about some of his inconsistencies hitting the zone. At this point I feel pretty confident penciling him in for 15 wins this season. That's based on nothing other than my gut and my hope he can stay healthy the whole way through.

Carlos Gonzalez

The swing was pure. The sound was beautiful. All systems are go for Cargo.

Felipe Paulino

Paulino got the call in the 9th and protected a one run lead with a quick and flawless inning. I think he's going to be a real nice addition to the bullpen and should really help take some pressure off guys like Belisle and Betancourt. Though I still think he would have been just as helpful in the 5th starter role.

Misses

Rafael Betancourt

Speaking of... Raffy had rough time of it in his usual 8th inning, allowing a pair of runs on three hits. He was also working extra excruciatingly slow. Or maybe it just seemed that way because Seattle was fouling off all of his put away pitches.

Foul Tips

Solid play

Felt like the Rockies played a solid all around game this evening, which is something you couldn't say most of last week. Aside from a questionable error ruling on Stewart, they were flawless defensively, smart on the bases and sound in their approach at the plate. Wouldn't mind to see another performance just like it against LA tomorrow.