Hey, isn't that Jim Tracy's newest favorite phrase? How about he take his own advice, get together with Dan O'Dowd and cut the dead weight from this baseball team.
I know it's a tough position for the front office to be in. Some of their decisions are going to end up looking awful. But why not just end it now? No reason to make yourself look worse in a desperate attempt to look smart.
Felipe Paulino has to go. As much as I've supported giving Franklin Morales opportunities, it's time for him to go. Jason Giambi is serving little purpose at this point. This team isn't fielding its best 25 players. Not even close, and there's no excuse for that to continue.
And I don't think Jim Tracy would volunteer to step down as manager, but that would certainly help the situation get better as well.
Jason Hammel was alright.
When the umpire isn't giving the low strike, you have to live high in the zone. That's what cost Jason Hammel on the Ludwick three-run homer. He walked Hawpe on four pitches just prior, two of them at bottom of the zone that weren't called strikes. He went up on Maybin, who popped up. But Ludwick didn't miss his.
That was the one big mistake Hammel made. He hit a wall in the 7th inning that Jim Tracy allowed him to spin his tires against, and then he eventually pulled when it was too late. But I guess when Paulino and Morales are your options it's hard to blame him.
Franklin Morales: One pitch, one double. At least it was a strike.
Dexter Fowler attempted a bunt basehit. Failed miserably. If he can ever figure that out, he could approach a .400 OBP. Seriously.
Todd Helton doesn't give away at-bats no matter the inning, the score, the standings. It doesn't matter. Professional at-bat every time.
That's all I really care to write about in terms of the Rockies on field product.
Did Bud Black really pull Mat Latos so he didn't face the possibility of losing the game? I hope not, but if so, that's absurdly stupid. Such a flawed mentality, even though it worked.
Sounds of the game:
Jeff Huson on Chris Iannetta: He's more relaxed. He's seeing about five pitches per ballgame.
Tom Helmer: Can a right-handed batter drag a bunt?
If these are the people attempting to describe the action and educate casual baseball fans, we're in deep trouble. And yes, this was a rare day where Toyota Talk actually made the broadcast better. That doesn't say a lot for Helmer and Huson, but there was a nice message for Harmon Killebrew and a couple decent baseball thoughts in there.
Troy Tulowitzki on his foul popout leading off the 6th: F*CK!
What a lousy game all around. And now the Rockies get to play real baseball teams again... like the Giants, Phillies and Brewers. Oh boy.
