Lineup Card: Rockies vs Padres 4-18-12

Colorado Rockies (5-6)

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

To the surprise of very few, Troy Tulowitzki gets the night off. 

People have been calling for that dating back as far as Saturday, but last night's two errors and the non-effort to run out a groundball — controversial or not, just run — sealed the deal. Now he has two full days to clear his mind, rest his hip, or whatever it is he needs to do to get back on track. 

To replace Tulo, Marco Scutaro, a shortstop by trade, slides over to his more comfortable position while Jonathan Herrera — coming off three hits on Sunday — will try to continue being a professional pain in the opponent's ass. 

It's also worth noting that Wilin Rosario receives another start behind the plate. We understand Ramon Hernandez tweaked a hand during his final at-bat on Monday, which is a contributor in this decision, but Rosario more than earn the opportunity with his performance last night. I'm looking forward to seeing how he builds on that. 

San Diego Padres (3-9)

1. Will Venable (CF)
2. Chris Denorfia (RF)
3. Chase Headley (3B)
4. Jesus Guzman (LF)
5. Yonder Alonso (1B)
6. Nick Hundley (C)
7. Jason Bartlett (SS)
8. Orlando Hudson (2B)
9. Clayton Richard (P)

What They're Saying About Jamie Moyer's win

— Last Night's Recap: Jamie Moyer Earns His Place In The History Book

— Michelle Hoag over at Rox Pile

— David Martin from Rockies Review

— Andrew Fisher from Purple Row

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

Rock Solid Recap: Jamie Moyer Earns His Place In The History Book

Rockies 5, Padres 3 (boxscore)

Winning Player: Jamie Moyer

I must say, we've been a part of some really cool moments over the years as Colorado Rockies fans, and Jamie Moyer's victory tonight — making him the oldest pitcher in baseball history to enter the win column — rates right up there among the coolest.

I say that, first and foremost, because the perseverance and mental toughness it takes to endure elbow reconstruction at the age 48 to continue living your dream, and to continue competing at the highest level of professional baseball is off the charts. It's extraordinary. You can't not respect or appreciate that.

But what makes it even cooler is that the now 49-year-old Moyer wasn't just out there competing tonight, he was out there taking ownership of this baseball game.

I've said before that Moyer isn't a pitcher that can win you a game with just his arm. Well, tonight, I sit corrected, because that's exactly what he did. He was the guy setting the tone early. He was the guy picking up his teammates. He was the best Rockie on that baseball field, and there was no question about that the entire time he was working.

It was special to watch. And I hope his staff mates were paying close attention, because he set quite an example for them. Even on nights when you don't have "it" (great stuff/bad day/whatever) you can still challenge major league hitters and get them out if you believe you can do it.

Believe you me, Jamie Moyer still believes whole-heartedly that he can do it.

Tonight, he proved that he can do it.

Tonight, he earned his place in the history books.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Padres 4-17-12

Colorado Rockies (4-6)

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

Few things of note today.

1. Welcome back Carlos Gonzalez.

2. Wilin Rosario gets his second straight start with Jamie Moyer after those two showed good chemistry towards the end of spring training.

3. Needing a fresh arm in the bullpen, Colorado recalled Edgmer Escalona today and optioned out Tyler Chatwood. So now when Jamie Moyer gives you the expected 5-6 innings tonight, you're comfortable with it.

San Diego Padres (3-8)

1. Cameron Maybin (CF)
2. Mark Kotsay (LF)
3. Chase Headley (3B)
4. Jesus Guzman (1B)
5. Nick Hundley (C)
6. Chris Denorfia (RF)
7. Andy Parrino (2B)
8. Jason Bartlett (SS)
9. Anthony Bass (P)

Yesterday's Recrap: Monday is the new Sunday

Rock Solid Recrap: Monday is the new Sunday

Padres 7, Rockies 1 (boxscore) 

What Went Wrong: Just like the previous three games against Arizona, the Rockies found themselves trailing before they had a chance to take their first hacks.

When that starts happening on a consistent basis, it obviously puts more pressure on the offense, but beyond that it can be more than a little deflating and disheartening. Not that that's a good excuse for failing to mount much offense against Cory Luebke, but it just kind of is what it is. And what it does is wear you out mentally.

As you may have been able to tell by my lack of tweets after the first couple innings, it wears me out, too.

Turning Point: The game never turned, nor was there ever a real threat for it turn, so I'm going to nominate Troy Tulowitzki's error on Cory Luebke's grounder — which directly resulted in San Diego's fifth run — as the moment we all realized the game was never going to turn.

By the way, Tulowitzki looks very uncomfortable at both the plate — which isn't unusual early in the season — and in the field — which concerns me far more. It's possible the hip flexor he's been dealing is a bigger issue than is being led on, which means he either needs to take a day or two soon to rest it, or we might have to get prepared for 75-80% of Tulo for awhile.

Jeremy Guthrie's Line: 7 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 1 K

It wasn't as messy as Pomeranz yesterday and it wasn't as painful as Nicasio on Friday, but it still wasn't nearly good enough. Especially when it's the worst offense in baseball squaring you up and ripping nothing but rocket doubles to all fields.

Seriously, Guthrie wasn't fooling anybody and he wasn't getting swings and misses. But I guess if you're looking for the silver linings that at least allowed him to gobble up seven innings to help conserve the bullpen.

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Padres 4-16-12

Colorado Rockies (4-5)

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

The usual lineup minus Carlos Gonzalez, who is still recovering from strep throat. We're hopeful to see him back in there tomorrow. 

San Diego Padres (2-8)

1. Cameron Maybin (CF)
2. Will Venable (LF)
3. Chase Headley (3B)
4. Jeremy Hermida (RF)
5. Nick Hundley (C)
6. Yonder Alonso (1B)
7. Andy Parrino (2B)
8. Jason Bartlett (SS)
9. Cory Luebke (P)

The Rockies secured their first series win in 2012 over the weekend against their toughest competition to date, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Needless to say, it would be extremely disappointing if they turned right around and dropped this series to a scuffling San Diego squad. Need at least two, and I don't think it would be too greedy to ask for all three.

Links

— Chris Jaffe analyzes the rise and fall, and then re-rise and re-fall of our fearless leader, Jim Tracy. Hardball Times

— Yesterday's Recrap: Pomeranz Bad. Offense Bad. Sundays Bad.