Rock Solid Recrap: Going Out With A Thud

The Colorado Rockies decided to say good-bye to their home field and their fans with their worst home series of the season -- a sweep at the hands of their division rivals from Los Angeles.

Whatever.

Dodgers 7, Rockies 6 

This was another tough one to sit through as the Rockies did more to beat themselves than the Dodgers did to beat them. Oh sure, Matt Kemp provided the power that sent a Jhoulys Chacin pitch over the wall for a Grand Slam, but it was the Rockies sloppiness that made it possible.

And it's not just the sloppiness of the fielder in this case. Yes, that's a play Ian Stewart has to make every single time. But guess what? He didn't make it this time (and at the time there was no damage done). So now you have a young pitcher in a situation where he has to pick up a teammate. How does he react?

He walks Loney, which is sloppy on his part. I understand the frustration and refocus factors, but he has to make pitches there. He gave the AB completely away. He then allows the Grand Slam to Kemp. He just couldn't collect himself in time to stop the bleeding.

Like Esmil Rogers, you take the good with the bad with a young pitcher. Chacin has shown far more good than bad so far, but there are still significant hurdles for him to get over before you can truly feel good about him as your #2 starter, which is where Chacin is likely to be slotted next spring.

He'll get there eventually. I have no doubts at all about that.  I wouldn't even be surprised if he reached #1 status in the next 24 months, but there's a ways to go in many respects.

We all beg Dexter Fowler to hit more balls on the ground. Today. Dexter hit two on the ground about as hard as one can hit them, with nothing to show for either. Just stick with that approach, Dex, the hits will come. And maybe if you just hit them a little softer... or even bunt once.

That Tulo guy does alright though doesn't he? We saw the frustration shine through again at the end of last night's game, but he impressively shook it off to give his team a big game today. 4-for-4, a walk, and 4 runs scored. I think that's good enough.

Other positives: Ryan Spilborghs took advantage of his start as well with three hits and a couple RBI.

Franklin Morales, Manny Delcarmen, Edgmer Escalona and (the returning) Matt Daley each threw a scoreless inning of relief, which allowed the Rockies to crawl back into the game. Well done by those four.

Tomorrow

Jason Hammel vs Chris Carpenter

I can't wait to see what we'll get from the Rockies in St. Louis. If these last ten games are any indication, and I don't see any reason why they would not be, then you can probably feel free to plan something else with your time. Maybe get some yard work done or something, unless you really really really need one last baseball fix before it's gone.

PS: Wouldn't it be something if the Rockies did a reverse 2007? Loss 13 of their last 14 instead of winning that many. Could happen.

Rock Solid Recrap: Goodnight Everybody

Of course I'm not going anywhere, but the Rockies 2010 playoffs hopes were officially put to bed on Tuesday night.  

I've already said plenty about what I believe got to the Rockies to this point, so I'll spare you another rant by taking a quick look at tonight's proceedings before slipping into a temporary baseball depression.

Dodgers 9, Rockies 7

I told you we'd see a lot of Jim Tracy and Joe Torre tonight.

This could very well prove to be the final Jeff Francis start at Coors Field as a member of the Rockies.  If so, he'll be leaving Coors with an awful taste in his mouth.

Regardless of what happens (I have no idea how it will play out), Jeff has been through the ups and downs with us over the past few years, and he has earned my respect.  He suffered through a couple of those leaner years.  He was the starting pitcher in the Rockies first World Series game. Then the injuries overwhelmed him and left him a shell of the reliable starter he once was.

He was never a true ace type, but Jeff Francis at his peak behind Ubaldo Jimeenz and Jhoulys Chacin would have made the Rockies a really damn tough team to beat.  It would be a pipe dream to hope he could be that guy again.  It may even be far-fetched to say he'll register a 20+ start season again in his career.

I wish him all the best in whatever happens.  If he's back as a low-risk, high-reward guy next spring, I'll be pulling like hell for him to be healthy and be effective.

Tonight was a good night for Esmil Rogers (4 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K) as he looks to regain some lost confidence.  Of course it would have been impossible to not take a step forward after his last two outings.  But still, you take the good with the bad with a young, developing arm.  Rogers will be a wild card heading into 2011.

Huston Street has been throwing with side pain.  I guess that explains why we didn't see him in some situations that made sense for him.

Chris Nelson's started quickly with a double, run and a fancy play at 2B.  The rest of his evening was very quiet.  We're all curious to see what he can offer over these last five games, but I hope he doesn't end up putting too much pressure on himself.

Good night at the plate for Dexter Fowler.  A mere double shy of the cycle.

Carlos Gonzalez, Todd Helton and Melvin Mora each contributed a pair of knocks.  No surprises there.

Tomorrow

Jhoulys Chacin vs Clayton Kershaw

The final home game of the season and the final start for Chacin.  I couldn't thing of a worse way to end the home schedule than being swept by LA.  That's a hideous thought.  Please don't let that happen!

Rock Solid Recrap: Dead Team Walking

The reality of the Rockies situation seems to have settled in on the players.  That said, I was at least expecting energy and urgency tonight as Ubaldo Jimenez went after win #20.  

Not to be.

Dodgers 3, Rockies 1

Ubaldo was fantastic.  Aside from a shaky first inning that saw him lacking in command and luck, he did everything he could to give the offense a chance.  All they needed was one good inning, one crooked number on the board.  Unfortunately, all they could muster was a Carlos Gonzalez solo HR into the center field forest.

Very disappointing.

But then you look at Roy Halladay out there for the Phillies taking matters into his own hands.  He pitched a complete shutout tonight to notch his 21st victory.  The win also clinched Philadelphia the National East title.  That just shows that there is still a wide gap between the tier Ubaldo stands on, and the tier reserved for Cy Young candidates.

The Offense

This was the third time the Rockies have seen Ted Lilly since August 19th.   He shut them out in LA on that date.  The Rockies came home to rough him up not long after.  Tonight looked exactly like the first time.

They had no answers whatsoever, and that's disturbing to me because like I said, they've seen him a lot in a short period of time.  I don't know that there's anything he was doing tonight that they didn't see the first two times, but they were never able to make adjustments.

I don't think you can put everything on the hitting coach, the hitters have to take their own mental notes and adjust on the fly, but it's maddening how lost the offense can look on any given night.

Maybe Don Baylor isn't as awful at his job as it sometimes appears, but maybe his message (whatever it is) isn't fitting this team either.  You can't overhaul the entire lineup, but I think the Rockies would be foolish to not consider a change at the hitting coach position.  And to be perfectly honest, his return would put a significant dent in my optimism for 2011.

Once-In-A- Season Events

I counted three of them tonight between the Rockies game and Monday Night Football.

1. Ryan Theriot walked on four pitches.
2. Robbie Gould missed a FG.
3. Franklin Morales received a standing ovation.  And it wasn't just because he was leaving.  He earned it.  

Tomorrow

Jeff Francis vs Hiroki Kuroda

Of course you know this means the offense will give Francis 7-8 runs of support.  Unfortunately, he'll probably need all of them.  Expect to see a lot of Jim Tracy and Joe Torre.

Rock Solid Recrap: Can't Get Over The Hump

The Rockies had an opportunity to apply more pressure to one NL West leader, while pulling even with another.

Unfortunately they allowed what should have been a commanding 6-1 lead in the early innings deteriorate into a devastating 11 inning loss.

Dodgers 7, Rockies 6 (11)

The Rockies did what I figured there were due to do to Clayton Kershaw. As great as Kershaw has been, he will always mix an erratic start in there every 3-4 weeks. It just hadn't happened in the Rockies favor yet... until today.

They took advantage early.

Three runs in the first. Three runs in the second.

Then they stopped taking advantage.

And then they basically called it a day at the bat rack.

It would have been nice if they had continued applying pressure because Jason Hammel looked like a tired man on the mound. Actually, aside from Jhoulys Chacin yesterday, the entire rotation has looked shaky at best this week. Even Ubaldo was battling for every last out.

Looking at this objectively, I have to tell you I'm very concerned that all of these of high stress innings and pitches over the past three weeks will catch up and play a major role in these last two weeks. There's almost no way around it. These guys are human out there and the mental and physical stress of having every pitch under the microscope is taxing.

So now you have to wonder where will the innings come from if Hammel is tired. If Francis isn't effective. If Ubaldo is wearing down. It's a dicey situation, and it won't get any easier against a D-Backs lineup that is dangerous.

On the bullpen. I felt like they did a solid enough job and Tracy did an okay job piecing it together. Unfortunately, the Rockies two best relievers were each touched for a run, which left him with nothing to choose from in the extra frames.

And yes, that's correct, Matt Belisle and Huston Street each allowed one run today. But guess which one will get raked over the coals?

I'm not saying Matt Belisle should, or Huston Street shouldn't, but it can't be one and not the other. Sorry.

There were other things in extra innings that were frustrating. Jim Tracy not sac bunting with EY is among the dumber things you'll see. Tie game, on the road, you play for a run. It's that simple. Bunt EY. Maybe he beats it out anyway and you have two runners on. Do something to increase your chances to take a lead.

And then there was the blown call at first base.

Yeah, it undeniably cost the Rockies the game in that half inning, but the game should have never gotten to that point. An umpire should never blow a call that easy, but good teams should never blow 6-1 leads to teams that quit weeks ago.

Beyond that, I didn't have a lot of faith in the offense scratching out another run, so I honestly don't feel IT cost the Rockies the game. I feel like the Rockies did it to themselves, and that their inevitable demise happened a little sooner than it was supposed to happen.

Tomorrow

The Rockies have an off day to travel and sort out a game plan for the final 13 games.

The rest of us will attempt to go through our usual Monday routines while anticipating Tuesday night's first pitch.

You thought the nine day wait for the World Series was excruciating? I got a feeling these next 48 hours will make those nine days feel like the best 10-15 minutes you've ever had in your life. Maybe knock that down to five minutes for the ladies out there.

Rock Solid Recap: Without Visual Aids

I saw nothing of today's Rockies game. 

You didn't either.

It sucked.

But given the results, I wouldn't change a thing!

Rockies 12, Dodgers 2

I can't wait to see where Troy Tulowitzki's two home runs landed. Yes, the big man launched two more this afternoon off of Dodgers starter John Ely. That raised Troy September numbers from ridiculous to other worldly. Hell, just in his last three games he has totaled 5 homers and 13 RBI.

That sick enough for you?

If not, just imagine how the numbers would have looked had he connected with the bases loaded in the 8th inning. Oh well, can't hit'em all out. And that's okay when you have Todd Helton and Melvin Mora (4 hits, 5 RBI) behind you cleaning up.

Jhoulys Chacin threw a career high eight innings today. All eight of them were goose eggs. He did only strike out two while allowing nine hits, but again, goose eggs in the run column. Well done by the ace-in-training.

Well, without having seen the game I can't go into too much more detail about things I liked. I do like looking at the boxscore and seeing two walks next to CarGo's name though. Especially now that Tulo is hitting everything in sight out of sight.

Hell yeah CarGo, if they aren't challenging you, let the big man do his thing. Your runs scored will start adding as quickly your RBI total.

Tomorrow

Jason Hammel vs Clayton Kershaw

Rockies are long overdue to knock Kershaw upside the head. Yeah, he's currently pitching maybe the best he ever has in his career, but the Rockies have seen him so much it only seems logical that they would figure something out and put a few dents in his ERA.

That, or Jason Hammel pitches the game of his life. I would accept either or both.

Rock Solid Recap: Talent & Guts

The Rockies have both in abundance.

They just have to make sure they back those up with intelligence. They have to play smart, or those traits will be offset.

Tonight the Rockies came dangerously close to allowing something silly to wipe away all the good they had done in other portions of the game. A key base running error by Eric Young stands out. Jim Tracy pushing Ubaldo Jimenez seemingly past his limits would be another.

These are the type of things that have cost the Rockies several winnable games in 2010, but thankfully they ran into a Dodgers team that needs a lot more help than the Rockies were willing to give.

Rockies 7, Dodgers 5

@RockiesReview Honestly, I hate when Ubaldo pitches. I get so nervous. He's the best the #Rockies have, but I feel like getting wins is crucial with him.

Tonight was as nerve-wracking as it gets. Ubaldo didn't have anything close to his best stuff again. But somehow, some way, with his back against the wall, and with his intestinal fortitude being continuously challenged by a very loyal and trusting manager, Ubaldo Jimenez found a way to get six more outs than I honestly believed he had in him.

If Tracy had pulled him in the 5th, I wouldn't have complained. In the 6th, wouldn't have complained again. Especially since Tracy allowed him bat with two on and two outs in that inning. I don't like giving away scoring chances. Not on the road. And especially not when the pitcher you're allowing to bat for himself is battling for every pitch.

It worked out in the end. It worked out because Ubaldo Jimenez has talent and guts.

Does any one professional baseball player symbolize talent and guts better than Todd Helton? (Highlight)

He's not the baseball player he used to be, but he's still the man he always was. You just can't write him off. The second anyone tries to, he fires back. The second Mark Kiszla writes nonsense about him, he collects three or four hits.

He's a winner. He knows how close this team is to getting over the hump. If there's even just an ounce of gas left in his tank (I assure there's more than that), you can bet he's going to get the most out of it, because he knows how much his team needs it.

If I had to single out one more player tonight not named Troy Tulowitzki (Highlight), I would think long and hard about selecting Melvin Mora (Highlight), but in the end would have to select Matt Belisle.

What onions it takes to come in to a bases loaded situation to face two hitters that have taken you deep in that situation before, and to retire each without any damage being done.

The Rockies owe so much of where they currently sit to Matt. They simply wouldn't be here without him. That's not hyperbole, that's fact. He has been the glue that has held everything together, when it so easily could have fallen at any point during the last three months.

Dump truck.

Tomorrow

Jhoulys Chacin vs John Ely

I'll just say this...

The Dodgers showed tonight that they need a lot of things to go their way just to compete. Show up tomorrow and give them nothing.

Rock Solid Recap: All Caught Up

Thank you MLB.TV for your condensed game option. Really helps a brother out after a long weekend away from the action.

Rockies 10, Dodgers 5

That 18th win the Rockies can't seem to get Ubaldo Jimenez? That pales in comparison to the struggles Jason Hammel has endured to notch each of his 9 victories. It's not that Hammel isn't earning them with his effort, he is, the chips just haven't fallen where he's needed them to fall.

That is why I do believe the win stat is overrated when evaluating talent and a career, but it's still a significant thing to keep track of. If for no other reason than to prove how tough winning baseball games is at the major league level, not just for an individual pitcher, but for teams in general.

Things fell right for Hammel yesterday. The main reason? Not exactly his pitching (I blame that entirely on Gary Sederstrom's a ridiculously small strike zone), but his hitting. Two base knocks on the day. The first one an RBI single that not only extended an inning, but opened the flood gates for a game-clinching five run frame. (highlight).

It didn't hurt that baseballs were flying on a Sunday afternoon. Mostly Rockies baseballs.

• CarGo HR #1 (highlight) 
• CarGo HR #2 (highlight) 
• Spilly HR (highlight)
• Fowler triple #1 (highlight)
• Fowler triple #2 (highlight)

So the offense has once again stabilized at home, just in time to go back on the road to San Francisco.

September comes at the same time every year, but it's definitely coming at the right time for the Rockies bullpen. They're down a Manny Corpas for the season. Rafael Betancourt is achy and struggling. Joe Beimel and Matt Belisle have to be on fumes at this point. Huston Street has been worked into the ground since coming off the DL.

Reinforcements are needed desperately. We'll see them on Tuesday.

Tonight

The most important series of the season kicks off. Road series, against a team your chasing, and you may be playing without Troy Tulowitzki, who tweaked a groin late in Sunday's win.

Must find a way to win.

Jorge De La Rosa vs Jonathan Sanchez

Rock Solid Recap: Two Days Late

I'm almost caught up!

Rockies 5, Dodgers 3

Check out the grapefruits on Jhoulys Chacin.

Important game against a hated division that the Rockies can never seem to beat? Chacin says no problem, I got this one. And he did get it. Despite walking four, allowing four hits, and striking out seven over seven innings, Chacin still managed to throw an efficient 102 pitches.

That's outstanding.

He also got a little run support from the likes of Troy Tulowitzki (highlight), Todd Helton (highlight) and Carlos Gonzalez (highlight). Especially enjoyed watching Todd Helton unload. I just wish his bombs weren't always solo shots.

Another productive day at the plate for Melvin Mora (highlight). He had an ugly base running blunder mixed in there (apparently forgot how many out there were), but made up for that with some solid defense over at 3B (highlight).

I can only imagine the unnecessary panic that followed the home run allowed by Huston Street in the 9th inning. Very glad I wasn't around to listen to or read about that. It is what it is, he made a mistake and Rod Barajas hit it a long way. Street is still solid and the only option you can use in the 9th inning.

That's the bottom line on that one.

And that's a wrap on this one. Plain and simple, a solid, much needed win. A monster effort by a 22-year-old pitcher with one helluva nice future.

One more condensed game to watch and boxscore to study.

Rock Solid Recrap: Three Days Late

This will be Friday's game.  

Dodgers 6, Rockies 2 

I'm guessing there was a ton of frustration over Jim Tracy allowing Ubaldo Jimenez to begin that game-deciding 8th inning.  Looking at Ubaldo's pitch count after his removal (126), any and all frustration would be justified.

It is a tough spot for a manager, but Jim Tracy has proven time and time again (for 10 years) that he's just not a good in-game manager.  No feel for anything.  Acts desperate at all the wrong times.  Remains patient at all the wrong times.  It's annoying, and once again, it's why he's been fired two different times in the last 10 years.

Another reason would be strategy like this in the second inning.

Why intentionally walk Rod Barajas?  It's the 2nd inning!  You honestly don't believe your Cy Young candidate can't retire Rod Barajas?  Alright then.

What ends up happening?  Clayton Kershaw shows some patience, runs Ubaldo full, makes him throw seven pitches before flying out harmlessly.  Did you get through the inning?  Yes.  Were you smart of efficient.  I'd go with a big no.  I don't really need to see Ubaldo intentionally walking anybody.

And then it was another intentional walk setting up the Casey Blake Grand Slam.  That one you can understand under the circumstances, but I just hating giving aways and giving the opponent more runners.  It's a tight rope worth staying off of most times.

I'll insert this paragraph from Rox Girl's recap over at Purple Row.

Okay, let me get this out there before anybody gets too far into a Jim Tracy bashfest. This loss wasn't completely on his shoulders. Once again, for what feels like the billionth time this season, there were large portions of the offense that were exposed by Dodgers pitching, and the two runs the Rockies scored might not have cut it regardless off which Rockies pitcher started the eighth inning.

It's true.  There's always more to it than one decision.  That said, the evidence against Jim Tracy has been mounting all season.  The frustration is warranted.

I'm sure the frustration hit an entirely different level when Franklin Morales was summoned from the bullpen.

In this case, I would have said give the kid a chance.  I know he was God awful for so long this season, but my thinking would be who's to say he can't resume being the guy who REALLY helped this team make the playoffs in 2007 and 2009.

But the facts are the facts.  He clearly isn't that guy anymore.  Odds of him being that guy drop significantly every time he walks or balks.  He's a headcase with a wonderful arm and so much untapped potential.

Headcase > Potential

Highlights

How great is it to see Todd Helton go opposite field on a long ball?  (Highlight)

Will there be a portion of CarGo's body not wrapped by the time this season ends?  My God this kid gives it everything on the field.  So does Dexter Fowler.  In a lot of ways that's awesome, in so many other ways it remind me of Jim Edmonds and how he never lived up to his potential becasue was always injured playing defense.

Catch 22, but we'll take the outs.  (Highlight)

Rock Solid Recrap: West Coast Flop

It would only be human nature if Brad Hawpe sat at home with his wife and cracked a smile as Ryan Spilborghs dropped a flyball and the Rockies offense was shutout for the 4th time in six road games.

He probably didn't, but I know I would. I don't know if it would be out of joy, relief, or maybe a little of both, but to see this effort come right after my release would put a smile on my face. A big one.

Dodgers 2, Rockies 0

Ted Lilly is a very good starting pitcher at the major league level. No one would argue that he is a strong #2 for a contending team, and could even serve as a #1 on some lower level squads. If he's your #3, you're golden.

He's made a lot of money. He's had his moments. He has his dominant outings, like the near no-hitter against the White Sox earlier in this season. I can't and won't take anything away from him.

He's just not Sandy Koufax, which is how the Rockies made him look tonight. You absolutely tip your cap to Lilly, but we're all smart enough to know what we witnessed tonight. It's the same garbage we've witnessed all season... and it's not acceptable.

The Rockies mounted exactly one meaningful threat. That came in the first inning. It died quickly. The Dodgers scored two on a Reed Johnson HR in the second. The Rockies offense then folded like an accordion. Lilly retired 19 or so in a row at one point, en route to a complete game, 2-hit shutout.

I wish I had an original thought to offer you on what I witnessed tonight. For more on Baylor I will defer you to David Martin of Rockies Review. Pay special attention to his description of Dexter Fowler's 9th inning at-bat. Possibly one of the worst at-bats of the entire season.

On the positive...

Jorge De La Rosa was really good tonight. His one mistake was a costly one, but he pitched out of a couple jams (one created by Spilly dropping the flyball) and made a really nice showing for himself.

As did the debuting Matt Reynolds. Two batters up, two batters down -- and in the process made a professional hitter, Casey Blake, look pretty silly. They say Reynolds is more than a lefty specialist. Whoever "they" are were made to look pretty smart on this evening.

Here's to a long, fruitful career for Matt Reynolds. Hopefully all or most of it with the Rockies.

Tomorrow

Where next? Arizona? I'm the biggest Rockies fan there is, but it may take a little motivation to catch this game.

Esmil Rogers vs Ian Kennedy

Well, I suppose watching and making another assessment on Esmil Rogers will make it worth the while. Be back with another recap in 24 hours.

Rock Solid Recap: One To Be Cherished

A road win.

A road win in Los Angeles.

A road, win, in Los Angeles, when the Rockies didn't even play a perfect game.

A sign of good things to come, or a sign of how far the Dodgers have fallen over the past six weeks? I'll allow you to make your own determinations.

All I know is a win is a win, and the Rockies don't get near enough of those under the circumstances which they played tonight.

Rockies 3, Dodgers 2 (10) 

This game featured a high level of wackiness. It wasn't pretty. In fact, there were some baseball coaches in Williamsport, PA preparing for a Little League tournament this weekend that made their kids turn off the television.

I'll shy away from focusing on that. Well, normally I wouldn't, but since we're pushing 2 AM here, and we're a little emotional over the release of Brad Hawpe, I'll just keep this short, sweet, and positive.

Jason Hammel -- Quality outing. Continues to do an amazing job of keeping his team in games, he just isn't getting wins to show for it. Oh well, his strong work is appreciated.

Huston Street -- Back on the horse with a save. Shaky? To a degree, but it's not like not the Dodgers killed him. The bloop single that nearly tied the game would have been an easy flyout 100 times out of 100 with Scott Podsednik batting, but the Rockies were in extreme no doubles mode, and the ball dropped.

Troy Tulowitzki saved the day -- Highlight

Carlos Gonzalez saved the day first -- Highlight

He should be fine in a couple days. Just a bruise.

Brad Hawpe -- Again, thanks for the contributions. Brad went out the way you'd expect him too, with a basehit.

Eric Young -- Web Gem.

Melvin Mora -- The rarely "pesky" Mora was quite the nuisance out there. Mora reached and scored the winning run without him or any other Rockie putting a baseball in play. He simply created a run with his legs. And was maybe slightly aided by Octavio Dotel's yips. Highlight

Tomorrow This Evening

Rockies will try to win a series in LA for the first time ever... or at least a really long time.

Jorge De La Rosa vs. Ted Lilly

Everybody get rested up and ready for some more late night action.

Rock Solid Recrap: Never Stray From The Script

Apparently that's what Jim Tracy writes on his precious white board every time the Rockies and Dodgers hook up, because the script never changes. Same crap, different day, series, season.

It almost makes me wonder if the teams really play 18 games, or if the networks continue airing canned footage of previous Rockies/Dodgers game. They all look the same.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 0

Honest assessment of Jhoulys Chacin...

As I tweeted during the game, the only bridge left for Chacin to cross is the pitch efficiency/command one. It's a big one. It took Ubaldo a good two years of Major League experience to navigate it. Chacin and Ubaldo are very comparable in my opinion, so there's a lot of hope.

Also a lot of talent. His breaking ball was electric when he was commanding it.

But the bottom line is five walks are too many, and will kill you every time. Tonight was no different, though the Rockies didn't help Chacin out a whole lot with their...

1. Offense

Another brutal night at the plate, especially with RISP (0-for-10).

Holy hell that is awful.

2. Defensive Alignment

The Rockies over shifting and inexplicable defensive positioning is probably... no, not probably... is definitely the most frustrating factor in this team's impending demise. It's awful. Tonight was especially awful. The entire Dodgers five run 5th inning was aided by Rockies not being where they should be.

Troy Tulowitzki covered second base on a hit-and-run, which left his spot open. AJ Ellis hit the ball right where Tulo would have been. 1st-and-3rd, no outs. Problem.

Credit the Dodgers with getting a hit-and-run ball in play, no doubt, but also discredit the Rockies for having the SS moving when a RH batter was at the plate. That's completely ass backwards, and I don't care if you have some silly stat that says he hits the ball a certain way more often. Play it right.

Could have easily been a 6-4-3 even with the runner in motion.

A few batters later, Casey Blake shoots a ground ball to right side and into RF for an RBI single. For some reason, probably because a dumb stat told them so (or maybe for the daylight play), EY Jr. was positioned right by the 2B bag. Would have been an easy 4-3 if he's at home.

These aren't just my opinions. Dodgers legendary broadcaster Vin Scully spent a good three minutes in the next half inning looking back at the Rockies defense and even offered an opinion that the game would have remained scoreless had the Rockies not outsmarted themselves.

There's no higher authority in the game than Vin Scully. He's seen it all. If he's selling it, I'm buying it.

So that sucked. But not everything sucked.

Eric Young & Dexter Fowler

All kinds of love for these guys. They played like guys in a dogfight to keep their team's playoff chances above water. They played like men determined to prove they belong in the big leagues. They played like winners.

Those attributes don't always stand out, mainly because they shouldn't have to stand out, but since they're the only two guys in a Rockies uniform that played this way, it stands out.

If Jim Tracy has any balls or brains, he will reward these two young men for their effort tonight. He will reward them by penciling their name in the lineup every damn day from now until the end of the season. Why not? This team needs fight and energy. Those are your guys right there.

Tomorrow

Anyone care? I feel obligated to at least give you the pitching match up.

Jason Hammel vs Hiroki Kuroda

Let's play a new game. Guess the opposing starting pitcher's final line. I'll start.

Kuroda -- 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K

NL West Recap: 7-26-10

I think we're getting to the point where we need to take a closer look at the direct competition in the NL West. You know, before they get too far out of reach.

San Diego Padres: Idle

After taking care of business in Pittsburgh, the Padres receive their second day off since the all-star break. The Rockies? Still no days off until next Tuesday. Thanks for that, Bud.

San Diego will host the Dodgers for three starting tonight. I guess we pull for the Dodgers? Or do we pull for the Padres because the Dodgers are a more direct threat in the wildcard race?

See that's the problem when you go 2-9 on a road trip and allow 3-4 teams to pass you in the standings. You have to start pulling for everyone to lose and unfortunately they all start playing each other and the scenarios start becoming impossible.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Idle

The pitching matchup tonight in San Diego is Chad Billingsly vs Jon Garland.  I think LA will take that one.

Marlins 4, Giants 3

Ricky Nolasco outloasted Barry Zito in a matchup of pitchers that absolutely dominate the Rockies. Yes, it's true there have been a ridiculous amount of pitchers that have dominated the Rockies this season, but these two have doing it for years. And doing it big.

Mike Stanton is really starting to standout for Florida. He impressed me a lot in the Rockies series down there. Last night he crushed a solo HR in the 5th inning, and then he provided some insurance with an RBI double in the 8th. Dan Uggla also hit a solo HR off Zito.

Those two teams will rematch tonight with an even better pitching matchup: Josh Johnson vs Matt Cain. I know where I'll be tuning as soon as the Rockies game concludes.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Idle

They're headed to Philadelphia. Looks like the Phillies win streak could reach at least eight, possibly more.

Rock Solid Recrap: One Catch. One Call.

That's all it takes for LA to take the series in Colorado.

Dodgers 4, Rockies 3

The Catch

It's funny how baseball works sometimes. Chris Iannetta pops a 1-2 pitch a mile in the air in the first inning, Blake DeWitt loses it in the sun, RBI single.

With the bases loaded in the 5th inning, Iannetta hits a ball right on the screws to CF, Matt Kemp lays out to make a fantastic diving catch. If the ball touches down it's a guaranteed two runs, and with a good bounce probably three.

Just that close to being a hero. Just that close to busting the game wide open.  Baseball is cruel like that.

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Rock Solid Recap: Milestones Galore

Before we get too far in... yes, we must take our hat off and salute the great Roy Halladay on his Perfect Game in Florida.

Alright, that's enough saluting already.

There were actually two MUCH more important milestones that took place at Coors Field on Saturday night.

1) Rockies 11, Dodgers 3

Boy does that feel good to type.

2) Jim Tracy's 100th victory as Rockies manager.

Congratulations to Jim for not only achieving the milestone, but doing so so quickly. Pretty amazing.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Less Than Zero Margin For Error

That's what it must feel like to the Rockies when they meet up with the Dodgers.

Every misstep. Every error. Every lead-off walk. Every little blemish seems to turn a game under Rockies control to a Dodger victory. And the most frustrating thing about it is how easy the Dodgers can make it look.  It's almost as if they're toying with the Rockies at times.

They flip the switch on. Do just enough to take the lead. Flip the switch back off. Put the ball in the hands of their bullpen and hold on to a 1-2 run victory.

That's the formula they have concocted to beat the Rockies. You can't argue with its results: 17-5 since the beginning of 2009.

Dodgers 5, Rockies 4

Losing Player: Jeff Francis

Tough one for Jeff to take. He was in top form for five solid innings. Then, like Hammel yesterday, he began the sixth inning with a walk. Lead-off walks are never good. Lead-off walks against the Dodgers are deadly.

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Rock Solid Recrap: Rox Mail It In

Dodgers 2, Rockies 0

Very dosappointing game today on so many levels.

The only thing that went well was, well, Ubaldo Jimenez. He's the tough luck loser after allowing 1 ER in 7 innings. He falls to 6-1 with a 0.93 ERA.

The Offense

Made Kershaw work in the first inning. They loaded the bases behind two walks and a bunt single. In total, Kershaw threw 30 pitches. Despite not scoring, I thought that was a terrific start, and that Kershaw was on his way to another 5th inning exit.

Wrong.

It was his best start... probably of his big league career.

Or at least his most efficient.  He never threw more than 15 pitches in his remaining seven innings. The Rockies only hit one baseball out of the infield the entire game... an 8th flyout by Clint Barmes.

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Running Thoughts: Jimenez vs. Kershaw

Preview

Lineup

Vin Scully -- "Ubaldo Jimenez is 6-0.  His ERA is 1.00.  He pitched a no-hitter.  Otherwise he hasn't done a darn thing."

I love Vin.

1st Inning

• Rockies load the bases and then Ian Stewart is called out on strikes on a pitch that was high and inside.  
• Jimenez's strike zone better be that big!  
• Jimenez retires Martin, Kemp and Ethier in order.  
• Back to work on Kershaw's pitch count.  

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Lineup Card Game 3 @ Los Angeles

Rockies Lineup

• LF Young
• CF Fowler
• 1B Helton
• SS Tulowitzki
• RF Spilborghs
• 3B Stewart
• C  Olivo
• 2B Barmes
• P   Jimenez

My condolences to Carlos Gonzalez and his family for their loss.  

Dodgers Lineup

• C  Martin
• CF Kemp
• RF Ethier
• LF Manny
• 1B Loney
• 3B Blake
• 2B DeWitt
• SS Carroll
• P   Kershaw

No getaway breaks for Dodgers regulars.  They send the entire A lineup out there to face Ubaldo.  Could be his toughest challenge to date.  

Looking Ahead: To Sending A Message

Not to the Dodgers.

The Rockies need to send a message to themselves. A message that includes...

• The Dodgers aren't so damn tough,
• We can win a series in LA.

Again, you know how important these getaway games are to me. This one is especially huge. A series win in LA would do wonders for the Rockies confidence. It would also be great to head into the Phillies series record with a winning record.

If you do that, and then you steal one or possibly two from Philly, you're set up pretty well as the schedule lightens up for the next two weeks. Still have to take care of business of course, but you can really get yourself into a great position. Let's hope they get it done with Ubaldo.

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