Rock Solid Recrap: Twins Baseball At Its Finest

Twins 9, Rockies 3

You couldn't have written a script that better captures the essence of Twins baseball than what we saw unfold tonight.  They are pesky.  They are professional.  They adjust mid-stride.  They don't beat themselves.  That's why they constantly contend.

Just look at what they did to Aaron Cook.  They know what Cook likes to do.  They knew the HP umpire wasn't calling the pitches Cook needs to be strikes, so they layed off everything around the knees and forced Cook to bring it up a little more.  The result was a lot of baseball that were struck pretty well on the ground that simply found holes.

A lot of those eight groundball hits could have just easily been right at infielders, and Cook could have had 6-7 innings of quality pitching under his belt.  But the Twins knew that was their only chance for offensive success against an Aaron Cook that was keeping the ball down pretty effectively.

Tip your cap to Minnesota.

Aaron Cook

Regardless of how or why it the Twins knocked him out in under four innings, the fact of the matter is that it's happening way too often to Cookie.  His command is still off.  The sinker is there, but it's not there consistently.

We're approaching a point where a decision has to be made on the bottom of the rotation.  The Rockies would like to hold off on that decision until Jorge De La Rosa returns but another outing like this may force their hand a bit.  

My prediction remains that Cook will hit the DL, rest for a couple weeks, take a couple rehab starts, and the Rockies will hope they're adding a quality rotation arm come August and September.

Losing Player: Franklin Morales 

All that said about Cook, the losing player for me is Franklin Morales.  He had a chance tonight to establish himself in a new, more relaxed role as a long man that gives his manager innings and keeps his team in the game.

He didn't take to the role at all.  He was still all over the place with his command.  He was missing up in the zone, which resulted in quick offense for the Twins.  At least with Cook everything was down and Minnesota had to scratch and claw a little bit.  When Morales came in, the ball started flying.

Not good.

That's my take tonight.  Not a whole lot else to cover.  The offense was spotty.  The HRs from Tulowitkzi and Helton were nice to see.  It was just one of those games where they were clearly outplayed, which is a lot less frustrating than watching them give away a game that should have won against a team they should beat.

Lineup Card: Rockies @ Twins

The Rockies and Twins have mirrored each other a lot of different ways over the past 4-5 years.  That continues now as both teams come in to this series banged up.  Both teams are missing their closer.  The good news for Colorado is that Huston Street should return soon.  

Troy Tulowitzki comes in to the series dealing with a groin.  The Twins are missing both of their starting infielders -- Orlando Hudson and JJ Hardy.  Both guys we're familiar with and won't miss a bit.


Rockies Lineup (3-0)

• CF Gonzalez
• 1B Helton
• SS Tulowitzki
• DH Giambi
• RF Spilborghs
• LF Smith
• C  Olivo
• 3B Stewart
• 2B Barmes

Aaron Cook on the mound.  

Jim Tracy is such a tease -- or just doesn't get it -- because Carlos Gonzalez back in the leadoff spot.  I guess that's a little less of a big deal in the AL because there's no pitcher in front of him.  But still... ugh.  I would have moved Spilly to #1, CarGo at #4, Smith #5, Olivo at #6 and Giambi #7.  Giambi hasn't really earned hitting in an RBI position.  

Twins Lineup (36-27)

• CF Span
• 2B Tolbert
• C   Mauer
• 1B Morneau
• RF Cuddyer
• DH Kubel
• LF Young
• SS Valencia
• 3B Punto

Carl Pavano on the mound.  

No question where Aaron Cook will earn his outs tonight.  That 3-6 is as good as there is in either league.  Lots of power, lots of intelligence and with lots of speed in front and behind them.  It'll be important to keep 1,2,7,8, and 9 off the bases.

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Rock Solid Ryan Spilborghs Show Recap

Rockies 10, Blue Jays 3

Winning Player: Ryan Spilborghs

Not just today, but the entire weekend.  He set the tone for the offense on Friday night with an opposte field HR.  He set the tone today with TWO opposite field HRs (#1 & #2) and a triple.  Heck, if he had a few more ABs in the Houston series, who knows, he could be looking at NL Player of the Week honors.

He was simply a beast all three games.

Or as they say on the Toronto broadcasts: Ryan Spilborghs was quite the O-ffensive force this weekend.

Now I just wish guys like Ian Stewart could condition themselves to consistently drive the ball the other way.  That's the power alley.  Extend the arms, drive it, watch it fly.  Spilborghs is so good at that when he's on his game.  As is Todd Helton.  It's just so... beautiful... to watch.

I'm such a sucker for good fundamental hitting.  I can't help myself.

By the way, Toronto's broadcasts are actually pretty good.  Not filled with much personality or anything, just solid play-by-play, game analysis and knowledge of the opponent.  I appreciated that and always enjoy hearing different voices talk about the Rockies.  It helps keep a good perspective.

Needless to say they were very complimentary this weekend.  Especially of Ryan Spilborghs and Rockies pitching.  Oh, and they couldn't stop gushing about Carlos Gonzalez either (Highlight).  Neither can I, and I can't get over how much I love Helton hitting 2nd and CarGo hitting in an RBI position.  That's a dream come true from about five weeks ago.

Another thing I took from their broadcast is a new understanding for how incredibly popular Jeff Francis is in the entire country of Canada.  They almost treated his start today as if it were Stephen Strasburg making his debut again.

Note that I said almost.  It wasn't quite that over the top, but it was still a big deal.

Jeff didn't disappoint either.  That was a very strong outing against an offense I didn't think he'd fare well against.  He had solid command of his entire arsenal, and changed speeds well enough to slow their power bats.  Good stuff from Jeff.

Also, a well called game by Chris Iannetta behind the plate.  That hasn't been a strong suit for him lately, but I suspect it's something he was coached on between starts.  The game plan was good.  The execution was better.

And Chris threw a couple hits out there as well.  Literally threw (Highlight) them out there, but we'll take them.  Can't forget Clint Barmes either.  He continues to pacify his critics with some very solid baseball.  Two big RBI doubles today and more great defense at shortstop.

This was a terrific weekend of baseball for the Rockies entire team.  Now they take a trip to Minnesota to take on the team they try to mirror themselves after.  Can't wait for the action to begin on Tuesday night at brand new Target Field.

Until then... enjoy your Tacos Rockies fans.  You've been waiting for two weeks!

Lineup Card: Rockies vs. Blue Jays

This one just has an empty the bullpen type feel going into it.

Jesse Litsch: Making his first ML start in over a year after Tommy John Surgery.

Jeff Francis:  A little off his game the last couple starts.  If that issue isn't solved today, against a mostly right-handed power hitting club, he could be in line for a short opening.

Not to mention two offenses that seem destined to break out sometime soon.

Rockies Lineup (2-0)

• SS Herrera 
• 1B Helton
• CF Gonzalez
• RF Hawpe
• LF Spilborghs
• 3B Stewart
• C   Iannetta
• 2B Barmes
• P   Francis

So Ryan Spilborghs is now on the plus side of the platoon with Seth Smith.  Nothing wrong with that.  It gives Jim Tracy his best pinch-hitting option back in the late innings and allows Spilborghs to build up the ABs.

Blue Jays Lineup (34-29)

• RF Bautista
• 2B Hill
• LF Lind
• CF Wells
• SS Gonzalez
• 1B Overbay
• C  Buck
• 3B Encarnacion
• P   Litsch

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Rock Solid Recap: Second In Command

As of this moment, Ubaldo Jimenez is no longer the hottest Rockies starting pitcher.  That title now belongs to Jason Hammel.

I mean, all you have to do is look at the ERA comparison since we restarted the season yesterday to figure that out: Hammel 0.00, Jimenez 4.50.  It's a no contest.

For real though...

Now that he's completely healthy from the groin issue (which is never minor), Hammel has turned the corner.  That's not to say he's going to start rivaling Jimenez in the CY Young race, but I think it's safe to view him as more than a solid bottom of the rotation pitcher.  He's moving up the ladder, and in terms of the Rockies current rotation, he's the deputy to Ubaldo's sheriff.

Now we just need 1 1/2 of Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Jorge De La Rosa and Jhoulys Chacin to step.  It can a whole Cook and a half a Francis.  A Francis and a half Cook/De La Rosa.  Maybe 1/2 of three.  We just need a little something more from the bottom 3/5ths.  Not a lot more, just a little something.

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