Thursday, May 31, 2012

Rock Solid Recap: The Astros Are Welcome To Stay

Rockies 11, Astros 5 (boxscore)

I don't just mean for the weekend either. I mean stay for the entire summer and then come back again in 2013 instead of moving to the American League.

Please?

Winning Players: The entire offense

We're at a point now where it's impossible to pick out two or third players, let alone select a single player. That's how hot this offense is right now. Everybody is hitting where they should be. Everybody is clicking and contributing. It doesn't matter if you remove a key part like Troy Tulowitzki, the line keeps on moving and producing.

It's so much fun to watch from our perspective. It's a nightmare for the opposing manager and pitching coach, because there's really not an adjustment they can make when it reaches this level. All they can do is hope that particular game is the one where it slows down on its own. All we can do is hope it never does, because our starting pitching is still our starting pitching.

Turning Point: More like an exclamation point. Carlos Gonzalez's 1st inning three-run homer made him the 22nd major leaguer to homer in four straight at-bats. It's also gave the Rockies a 3-0 start. After RBI doubles by Todd Helton and Jordan Pacheco, it was a five-run first.

The Rockies then added four more in the second behind RBIs from Michael Cuddyer (2), Wilin Rosario and Jordan Pacheco... again. Houston was never going to recover from that onslaught unless Craig Biggo, Jeff Bagwell and Tony Eusebio came out of retirement.

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Astros 5-31-12


Lineups

Colorado Rockies (20-29)
  1. Dexter Fowler (CF)
  2. Marco Scutaro (SS)
  3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
  4. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
  5. Todd Helton (1B)
  6. Wilin Rosario (C)
  7. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
  8. D.J. LeMahieu (2B)
  9. Jeremy Guthrie (P)
It's still unclear on whether or not Troy Tulowitzki will need a DL stint. That word may come down yet today or the Rockies could hold on another 24-48 hours to see how he responds to treatment. In the meantime, D.J. LeMahieu is a starter with Marco Scutaro sliding over to short, and the offense and defense will both take significant hits because of it. 

Lovely, isn't it?

Update: Tulo goes to the DL. Chris Nelson activated from the DL. 

Houston Astros (22-28)
  1. Jordan Schafer (CF)
  2. Jose Altuve (2B)
  3. Jed Lowrie (SS)
  4. Carlos Lee (1B)
  5. Chris Johnson (3B)
  6. Brian Bogusevic (RF)
  7. J.D. Martinez (LF)
  8. Jason Castro (C)
  9. Bud Norris (P)
More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton