Rock Solid RECAP: Don't call it a turnaround!

No, really, don't call it that. 

Rockies 4, Astros 2 (13) (boxscore)

But do call it a victory!

Wait, that's what it's called when you score more than your opponent, right?

Or a win. That's fine.

Here's what you need to know about how the Rockies snapped their embarrassing nine-game losing streak.

-- Jason Hammel pitched VERY well in his return to the rotation. 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. That's encouraging for a couple reasons.

#1 - There's a really good chance we're going to need him in that rotation to start next season. Unless the Rockies sign or trade for a couple starters, or Jorge De La Rosa and Juan Nicasio not only recover ahead of schedule, but also prove themselves to be effective, Hammel will have to start games in April.

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Lackluster Recrap: Sucking at baseball is contagious

My God. The Rockies pathetic play has infected Drew Pomeranz. We need to get him as far away from this current team as we can, as we quickly as we can, or we may risk ruining his pitching future.

I may or may not be joking.

Astros 11, Rockies 2 (boxscore) 

Whatever the cause, this was definitely a rough night at the office for young Drew Pomeranz, which wouldn't be overly concerning under normal circumstances -- you can't expect a pitcher to come out and be brilliant his first three starts -- but since it came against the lowly Houston Astros, some discouragement is acceptable.

Just keep it small.

Real small.

Here's a quick recap: Houston ambushed Drew in the first, beginning their attack with six straight hits -- three singles, three doubles -- and five runs. Pomernanz then settled in to record three straight outs -- a Clint Barmes fly out, followed by two strikeouts.

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Lackluster Recrap: Lather. Rinse. Continue sucking.

This team would be killing my desire to write about baseball if I didn't know I'd be writing about playoff games starting in about eight days. Seriously, coming up with something to say is impossible when you go 0-7 in your final home stand, get shutout in your home finale, and then lose to the Houston freaking Astros.

Are they seriously not going to win another game? Is that what we're faced with here? They're going to somehow top last year's 1-13 finish? I don't know what the answer will be, but if the Rockies can't win Drew Pomeranz's start on Friday night, I'm going to assume that's how it'll go.

Astros 9, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

There's nothing really to evaluate at this point with Alex White. Either he's not totally healthy, or he's nowhere close to being major league ready. My guess is still the finger isn't right, but whatever the case, his performance next spring training is what really matters. He'll have to do well there to calm everybody down and win his spot on the team. Whatever happened in these start won't factor in at all.

-- Wilin Rosario continues to slug the ball very well, but clearly has to work on his discipline at the plate. That's fine. It'll be a constant adjustment for him, as it is for all young players. But not all young players have his pop, which makes me smile. He is the future. Embrace it.

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Thank you Aaron Cook

I really wanted to write a really long, positive piece today to wrap up the Rockies home schedule. But then the team goes ahead and gets themselves shutout by Anthony Bass and five San Diego Padres relievers. That doesn't exactly inspire me to be positive, but I'll try to say nice things anyway.

Padres 4, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

Thank you Aaron Cook.

I wouldn't say you necessarily went out on a high note, but you went out on an appropriate note. Much like most of your Rockies career, you weren't dominant or overpowering, but you found a way to collect yourself and did a good job keeping the team in the game. You really did. And that's always impressed me about you.

Now done addressing Aaron Cook personally.

Say what you will about Cook's performance this season, I promise you he has more guts than anyone on this team save for Juan Nicasio. To come back from the blood clots in the lungs to become the Rockies all-time winniest pitcher. To come back from the broken leg, the broken finger, it's all very impressive. Because of that, I will never say negatively about Aaron Cook the person.

Yes, it's time to part ways with Aaron Cook the pitcher, but I'm sure there will come times when I miss both the person and the pitcher. The Rockies will miss both too. We need more guys with makeup and toughness. There's no question about that.

And I even admire Aaron Cook enough to not label this a Recrap.

-- I found it interesting that Jim Tracy unleashed the following diatribe on his offense before today's game.

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Lackluster Recrap: Rockies celebrate Tracy's return with another dud

Did you hear? Jim Tracy's coming back next season! And he gets to pick his coaching staff! Weeeeeeeee!

Fake excitement aside, that's actually really good news compared to what many expected to be the announcement of a contract extension. It doesn't make me optimistic for 2012, but at least I don't have to be pessimistic beyond 2012 since I really doubt he'll do anything next season to warrant that extension.

Small, painful victories.

Padres 2, Rockies 1 (boxscore)

Just no victories on the field.

I guess I should officially retire the Recap this season? Can I please do one more, just to make sure I don't get rusty heading into the offseason? Is that too much to ask?

-- Seattle Mariners rookie Mike Carp had five hits tonight. The Rockies had five hits in the first 17 innings of this series. Then they had three in the ninth inning, scored a run, and still lost.

Go offense!

-- Troy Tulowitzki made his return to game action, striking out as a pinch-hitter with first and third in the 8th inning. When Tulo made his walk to the plate, that was the first time Coors Field had a pulse during this home stand. Sad, but not unexpected.

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