Rock Solid Recrap: We both mailed it in

By we I mean me and Jim Tracy.

Rather than get up at a decent hour to post this morning's Lineup Card, I slept in. Hey, I was up until six this morning writing up my Saturday morning recaps for Big League Stew, so I give myself a pass this time. But I kind of wish I had dragged my ass out of bed anyway, because it would have been fun commenting on that lineup Jim Tracy filled out.

Geez.

So here's the deal on that. Wednesday I defended Tracy for sitting three starters in the series finale in Cleveland. I'll still defend that. It was obvious Todd Helton, Charlie Blackmon and Chris Iannetta needed that day off. With the off day Thursday, I was completely in favor of how Jim planned that to buy Todd and Chris especially 48 hours of rest.

Today: I wasn't too surprised to see Seth Smith and Blackmon benched. That's the norm for Smith against any lefty, especially one of CC Sabathia's caliber. But when that leaves you with Eric Young in the outfield, are you really gaining anything? Are you really doing your players right when you're not only putting one out of position, but pretty much telling the rest I'm waving the white flag today. Here's my 25th man in right. My 24th man behind the plate. And my 23rd man in left field to support my 5th starting pitcher.

How else can you take it?

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Rock Solid Recap: New York is becoming a second home

Alright, I don't mean to get too carried away. I'm just happy to get one win out of this series. If they could find a way to squeeze out another... wow.

Rockies 4, Yankees 2 (boxscore)

Jason Giambi: New York certainly isn't a second home to Jason Giambi. He still has an apartment there. He spent the prime of his career there. It's definitely a special place for him for several personal and professional reasons. And it had to be made even more special by the reception he received tonight.

Hats off to the Yankees fans for showing their love. EVEN after Jason unloaded on an A.J. Burnett cookie for a long home run in the 2nd.

Watch Giambi's mammoth blast

Giambi would add a pair of singles and a walk later, and even scored what ended up being the game-winning run on Ty Wigginton's groundout in the 4th. Great night for the Giambino.

Good enough Ubaldo: He started off very shaky, never really had good command the whole way through, but Ubaldo Jimenez had enough to keep a very talented offense at bay for seven innings.

Watch Chris Nelson come to Ubaldo's aid

The final line: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB (too many), 7 K (one an inning) and 119 pitches (one more than his previous season high).

Velocity was mid-90s consistently. In fact, pitch 119 hit 95 on the gun. So yes, the velocity is still down. It would be wonderful if he could get it all back because he needs it on nights when his other pitches aren't working. Because of that I can see why a lot of people are concerned about the MPH. I can also see why other's aren't. I guess we'll just have to see where it all leads on Wednesday against the White Sox.

Troy Tulowitzki: I saw someone tweet Tulowitzki can't handle the bright lights or big stage after he grounded out with the bases loaded. I dunno, homering in all five games he's played in New York tells me a different story on that. No doubt his swing has been all over the place lately. No doubt he's blown some opportunities, but he's fine.

Watch Tulo's blast

Chris Iannetta: Three walks and one strikeout looking. That's a very complete Chris Iannetta type game.

Bullpen: Wonderful job by both Matt Reynolds and Huston Street to make the 4-2 lead hold up. Each allowed one baserunner. Each recorded three outs. Each allowed zero to score. I like my bullpen.

Watch Street lock it down

Overall: Good win. Very happy to see them play a complete nine innings of baseball without any silliness. Well, unless you count that rare four strikeout inning as silly. Some would. But still, it's not easy to go into Yankee Stadium and play a team stacked with that much talent backed with that much history. It sounds lame to say, but that can be a source of intimidation. Well handled by the guys.

Lineup Card: 6-24-11 Rockies @ Yankees

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Wednesday's recrap: No sweep for us... again
• Druidlove Sports: Stats that are useless
• Rockies Woman: Don't be bored (Rockies links galore)
• Purple Row: Know Your Foe: New York Yankees
• Blake Street Bulletin: Five Questions

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (37-37)

1. CF Carlos Gonzalez
2. 2B Chris Nelson
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. DH Jason Giambi
6. RF Seth Smith
7. 3B Ty Wigginton
8. LF Charlie Blackmon
9. C   Chris Iannetta

SP Ubaldo Jimenez

Honestly, if the Rockies exit New York with a winning record I would be thrilled beyond words. If they end up not getting swept, I'd actually be satisfied. The only pitching matchup I feel decent about is tonight's with Ubaldo vs. Burnett, and we all know how shaky that could be. So yeah, let's just avoid the disaster weekend here. Sorry if that's not optimistic enough.

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Rock Solid Recrap: No sweep for us... again

Well crap, one of these days the Rockies need to go ahead and sweep somebody just to see how fun and satisfying it can be. Like that time in New York when...

I'm digressing already. A series victory on the road is something I'll definitely accept with a smile on my face. That makes two straight winning series on the road, and five unbeaten series overall with the home split with the Dodgers mixed in there.

Definitely a lot better baseball than we saw in May.

Indians 4, Rockies 3 (boxscore)

Jason Hammel: Alright, aside from the balk, which was bizarre and possibly the most herpy derp moment of the season, was Hammel really all that bad? I didn't think so. Frustrating in a couple innings? Of course. But who isn't?

He lost command for a short time in the third inning. Then the balk.

I don't know? Brain cramp? Thought the batter called timeout? Back spasm?

Jason?

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Lineup Card: 6-22-11 Rockies @ Indians

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 60-90 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you.

Links

• Yesterday's recap: Seth Smith plays hero in dramatic road win
• Rob Neyer (SB Nation): Rockies roller-coaster season heading up once more
• Blake Street Bulletin: Will the real Rockies please stand up?
• Purple Row: Seth Smith is really good

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (37-36)

1. CF Carlos Gonzalez
2. 2B Jonathan Herrera
3. DH Jason Giambi
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. RF Seth Smith
6. 1B Ty Wigginton
7. 3B Chris Nelson
8. RF Ryan Spilborghs
9. C   Matt Pagnozzi

SP Jason Hammel

So we're looking at off days for Todd Helton (needed one), Charlie Blackmon (definitely needed one) and Chris Iannetta (always could use one).

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