Check the calendar. Make sure it doesn't read October 3rd, 2007.
On that day, the Rockies defeated the Philadelphia Philkes 4-2 in Game 1 of the NLDS. (boxscore)
The Winning Pitcher: Jeff Francis
The Save: Mamy Corpas
Today looked an awful lot like that day.
Rockies 2, Nationals 1
Winning Player: Jeff Francis
Jeff Francis didn't get the real win, but he did more than any Rockies fan, player, coach, or Francis himself could have imagined. He was flat brilliant. Actually, he was better than brilliant. He was on whatever level Ubaldo Jimenez has lived on all season. Yes, that's how good he was.
Showing posts with label Nationals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nationals. Show all posts
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Rock Solid Recap: All That's Old Is New Again
Lineup Card: Welcome Back, Francis
After hearing the news late last night about Huston Street leaving a rehab appearance with a groin injury, I've been checking the updates every five minutes to make sure Francis didn't sleep wrong on his arm again or twist an ankle walking to the bullpen.
He didn't.
He's been activated from the DL, struggling Matt Daley has been optioned to Colorado Springs, and the lineups are in.
Rockies Lineup
- CF Gonzalez
- LF Spilborghs
- RF Hawpe
- SS Tulowitzki
- 1B Helton
- C Olivo
- 3B Stewart
- 2B Barmes
- P Francis
- CF Morgan
- SS Desmond
- RF Guzman
- 3B Zimmerman
- LF Willingham
- C Rodriguez
- 1B Morse
- 2B Al. Gonzalez
- P Olsen
Olsen recently no-hit the Braves for seven innings. I doubt he'll have any success close to that today. Jim Riggleman rests Dunn, Kennedy and Bernadina against the lefty starter. That gives him some nice options late in the game. Don't be surprised if Greg Smith makes him reliever debut to counteract one of those guys.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Rock Solid Recap: Let's Take Two
Did you know doubleheaders are split 74.8% of the time?
Those odds, the Rockies inability to win two games in a row in what seems like years, and the return of a previously struggling Jason Hammel from the DL, would seem to add up in favor of the Washington Nationals.
But that's why odds, stats and momentum mean little in terms of an individual baseball game.
Rockies 4, Nationals 3
Winning Player: Jason Hammel 7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K.
That's the very definition of rock solid.
I'm sure Jim Tracy would have been satisfied with five good innings from Jason. He must be overjoyed that he got seven.
You may have noticed I emphasized and highlighted the zero walks. Man, that's so important for Jason. Limiting that extra traffic and keeping his pitch count down are two KEY contributors to his success. If we could get this we saw guy tonight about 66-75% of the time, the Rockies rotation becomes very strong, because you're not counting on him as more than a 4th or 5th starter.
Lineup Card: DH Game 2 vs Washington
I'm a baseball player at heart, which makes me very superstitious. Therefore, there will be no Running Thoughts for the nightcap of the doubleheader. Why change anything? The Rockies were as crisp and on their game in Game 1 as we've seen them all season. Maybe they don't need (or want) me critiquing their every move.
Rockies Lineup
- CF Gonzalez
- LF Smith
- RF Hawpe
- SS Tulowitzki
- 1B Helton
- 3B Stewart
- 2B Barmes
- C Phillips
- P Hammel
Kind of strange to have just one change (Paul Phillips) in the second half of a doubleheader, even if it's a split doubleheader. Jason Hammel makes his return. EY Jr. officially placed on the DL.
Update: I'm a goof. Todd Helton starting at first is different than Game 1. So two changes.
Update: I'm a goof. Todd Helton starting at first is different than Game 1. So two changes.
Nationals Lineup
- CF Morgan
- LF Harris
- 3B Zimmerman
- 1B Dunn
- 2B Guzman
- RF Bernadina
- SS Desmond
- C Nieves
- P Atilano
There's nothing overly special about Luis Atilano, nor is there anything about his stuff that makes me nervous about the Rockies offense tonight. As long as they made him work a little, hopefully get a little pressure on him early, they should be able to provide Hammel with some much needed run support.
Rock Solid Recap: Another Day At The Office
Rockies 6, Nationals 2
Winning Player: Ubaldo Jimenez
The machine just keeps pumping out quality starts and victories for the good guys.
The Nationals did have a handful of good swings on Ubaldo. Ryan Zimmerman was 3-for-3 with an RBI double. Adam Dunn become the first player to homer off Jimenez in 2010 -- and the 29th man to reach the upper deck at Coors Field (highlight). But Ubaldo did what an ace should do -- he shutdown all the guys surrounding their big boppers.
His league best ERA now stands at 1.12.
Losing pitcher LIvan Hernandez saw his league second best ERA fall to 1.46. He's 4-2 and in line for Comeback Player of the Year honors if this continues.
Lineup Card DH Game 1 vs Washington
Well, at least no one got hurt yesterday.
I'm actually pleased to report that I mowed the lawn yesterday wearing a Rockies hat and didn't injure myself. That could be a sign of good things to come.
Here are the lineups for Game 1. Due to scheduling conflicts there will be no Running Thoughts of Game 1.
Rockies Lineup
- CF Gonzalez
- LF Smith
- RF Hawpe
- SS Tulowitzki
- 1B Giambi
- C Olivo
- 3B Stewart
- 2B Barmes
- P Jimenez
- CF Morgan
- 2B Kennedy
- 1B Dunn
- 3B Zimmerman
- LF Harris
- C Rodriguez
- RF Bernadina
- SS Desmond
- P Hernandez
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Coors Field Cesspool
And the umps just stood and watched as the game continued for several innings in a complete cesspool of mud and slop. Both teams have to be a little angry the game continued, but even more thankful they didn't lose a player to injury in those conditions.
A Waterlogged and Muddy Recrap
This was not as ugly as the score indicates, but was every bit as ugly as this picture of the field indicates.
The Rockies played fairly well tonight for seven innings, The Nationals just played a little better.
So many losses have been frustratiing because it felt like the Rockies gave it away. This wasn't one of those. The Nationals just came in and took it. Everytime the Rockies battled back, which was often, the Nationals distanced themselves some more. A sign of a solid baseball team.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Running Thoughts: Chacin vs. Lannan
Colorado Rockies (16-17) vs Washington Nationals (19-15)
Coors Field
First Pitch: 7:18 (38 minute rain delay)
Attendance:
Lineup Card (Tonight's lineups)
Couch Time
Tarp is off the field. Baseball in mere moments.
Lineup Card Game 1 vs Washington
Rockies Lineup (16-17)
- LF Gonzalez
- CF Fowler
- RF Hawpe
- SS Tulowitzki
- 1B Helton
- C Olivo
- 3B Stewart
- 2B Barmes
- P Chacin
For now it seems like Tracy's favorite lineup features CarGo leading off, Hawpe hitting third and Helton hitting fifth. I think this will probably stick at least through the weekend.
Nationals Lineup (19-15)
- CF Morgan
- 2B Kennedy
- 3B Zimmerman
- 1B Dunn
- LF Willingham
- C Pudge
- RF Bernadina
- SS Desmond
- P Lannan
Good lineup. Good ballclub. I think we all expected improvement. I don't think anyone expected them to have the league leader in wins (Reliever Tyler Clippard) and the league leader in saves (Matt Capps). This series is going to be a four day battle. The Rocks are aware of that after splitting four in Washington.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Rock Solid Kissing Of Ubaldo's Backside Recap
Rockies 2, Nationals 0
I know Rockies fans in and around the Denver area were shut out of watching Ubaldo pitch today. You folks didn't miss a no-hitter or anything, you just missed a really strong 7 1/3 innings of awesomeness with a handful of cheap hits mixed in.
Mhm... that's all.
Winning Player: Ubaldo Jimenez
This kid is just rolling. He was never really threatened at any point. The pitch count climbed pretty high again thanks to some quality Washington ABs. That makes me nervous for the later months, especially if Jim Tracy can't show better restraint with him, but there's no reason to worry about that just yet.
Running Thoughts: Jimenez vs. Hernandez
Pretty strange start time for getaway day on the east coast. It worked just perfect for my schedule today, but I'm sure there are plenty of Rockies fans who are annoyed by this. I doubt many Washington are pissed about it though, because judging from last night's crowd, not many people in Washington are even aware there's a team playing in town.
Brad Hawpe gets another rest this afternoon. Though it's not Seth Smith taking his spot against the righty Hernandez. Ryan Spilborghs gets the nod, plays left and hits 6th, moving Gonzalez to right.
Looks like I'm stuck with the Washington feed today. Oh joy.
Looking Ahead: To Ubaldo's Encore
Actually, I don't think any of us will be too picky about Ubaldo's encore performance as long as it results in a victory for the ballclub.
Am I right?
Old friend Livan Hernandez takes the mound for Washington. Folks, Livan hasn't allowed a run yet this season in two starts. His ERA currently sits at freaking 0.00.
I'm going to go on out on a limb here and guarantee that changes today. Livan Hernandez will allow a run. In fact, Livan will allow about 4-5 runs.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Rock Solid Recrap: Somebody Please Hide Giambi's Glove
Nationals 6, Rockies 4
Official Scorer
Official Ruling: I hereby overrule the original scoring of a basehit for Adam Duun in the first inning. That will now be viewed as an E3. Error on Jason Giambi.
Losing Player: Jason Giambi
I can't take another inning of Giambi playing first base for the Colorado Rockies. It's hideous.
Yes, we truly have been spoiled by Todd Helton's ability to make every play look easy, I admit that much, but Giambi can't even make the most basic of plays. He has no side-to-side range. He has no clue how to play a hop. He's just a stiff out there. The truest form of a stiff you'll find playing defensive in MLB.
Running Thoughts: Hammel vs. Lannan
Some early notes.
-- Todd Helton gets a rest ahead of tomorrow's matchup with Livan Hernandez. Helton is a ridiculous 33-for-69 against the big man, so it's Giambi tonight in the three-hole against a tough lefty.
-- Ian Stewart gets a well deserved blow in favor of Melvin Mora. Mora really earned the start with his three hit performance last night. Wouldn't be a bit shocked to see him spell Ian or Clint Barmes more against lefties going forward.
-- We also welcome Chris Iannetta back into our lives this evening. I'm calling a home run.
First pitch is on its way!
The patch honoring Keli McGregor
Looking Ahead: To A Winning Streak
Let's rattle off a few wins here shall we?
Won't be easy with Washington's clear cut ace, John Lannan, on the mound. Lannan is far from what you'd call a dominant ace, but has his nights where he's on and can shut down anyone. Hopefully this won't be one of those nights.
I believe the Rockies come in with a little edge as they saw a similar, though far less talented, version of Lannan last night in Scott Olsen. I'm sure Lannan will make some adjustments from the gameplan Olsen used, but the Rockies should probably stick to theirs. I wouldn't even be opposed to them using the same lineup.
We know that won't happen.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Rock Solid Recap: 10-4, Good Buddy
Had a few demands for the boys tonight. A good number of them were met, a few were even exceeded.
#1 -- I demand the pitchers throw strikes tonight.
A really awful strikezone didn't help matters.
#2 -- I demand the defense make a play on every ball hit in their direction.
Very good.
#3 -- I demand Jorge De La Rosa last into the 7th inning.
See #1. Jorge was better than his line will indicate, but he's still not at top form either.
#4 -- I demand Nationals starter Scott Olsen doesn't make it to the 5th.
BAM! 3rd inning KO!
#5 -- I demand Ryan Spilborghs starts.
Starts. Homers. Dig it.
Running Thoughts: De La Rosa vs Olsen
Very classy opening to the broadcast tonight. Once again I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rockies President Keli McGregor.
The games go on.
Interesting lineup card tonight for Jim Tracy. Spilborghs starts for Gonzalez and leads off. Fowler, Helton, Tulo and Hawpe are all in their customary spots. Melvin Mora plays second and moves up to 6th. Miguel Olivo gets another start and hits 7th. Ian Stewart then drops to 8th against a left-hander.
Personally, when Gonzalez isn't starting, I'd much prefer Fowler leads off and you put Smith or Spilborghs in an RBI position. Especially Spilly, who seems to have a knack for driving in runs. That's just me. Nonetheless I'll be curious to see how this particular alignment works out for the squad tonight.
Time to get a W.
Looking Ahead: 10 Demands For Tonight's Game
#1 -- I demand the pitchers throw strikes tonight.
#2 -- I demand the defense make a play on every ball hit in their direction.
#3 -- I demand Jorge De La Rosa last into the 7th inning.
#4 -- I demand Nationals starter Scott Olsen doesn't make it to the 5th.
#5 -- I demand Ryan Spilborghs starts.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Rock Solid Recrap: Wasn't Saturday Fun?
Nationals 5, Rockies 2
Yesterday wasn't. Tonight sure as hell wasn't.
What will it take to get this team clicking? Must the clubhouse manager flip the calandar to June or September and leave it there? I mean what the hell does this team need to play a little bit motivated in April.
I don't get it.
I know they're going to play better eventually. It's just so frustrating watching a team with this much talent seemingly go through the motions like the first 10-20 games don't matter as much as the final 10-20. They do, and you just can't sleepwalk through a game against an improved Washington team. We saw why tonight.
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