Dusty O Dusty

A shot of Dusty Baker just seconds after Chris Nelson stole home to give the Rockies a 6-5 lead and their eventual 7th straight victory.  

I think he swallowed his toothpick... Dude.   

Rock Solid Recap: That Happened

How many times have we said we've seen everything, only to see something we've never seen before that blows everything we've already seen out of the water?

At least once a week with these Colorado Rockies.

Chris Nelson stole home plate today. (Highlight)

It was the first steal of ML career. It happened in the 8th inning. It was the game-winning run.

You heard me.

He stole home... off a right-handed pitcher. That just doesn't happen! It shouldn't happen. It should never happen, yet it happened today.

I have a new formula for the sabermetricians out there.

Situation + Circumstances + Atmosphere + Guts + Milestone in a young baseball player's career = The greatest stolen base of all-time! By my math, Nelson is the greatest base stealer of all-time.

Rockies 6, Reds 5

How did we get to that point?

Well, the Reds jumped all over Jason Hammel early, scoring one in the first and four more in the second. The Reds were aided in those innings by a couple blown calls and some sloppy Rockies defense.

From that point on Hammel was excellent. He wasn't brilliant by any stretch, but he battled through all the early stress and some middle inning traffic to end up with a 7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB & 6 K line. Damn right I'll take that.

The Rockies began their comeback with a 2-run bomb to CF by Jason Giambi (Highlight) in the 4th. From there it was Dexter Fowler doubling home EY Jr. from first on a double that was actually cutoff off in the gap (Highlight). EY's speed proved to be a difference maker once again.

In the 7th, the Rockies mounted a rally on Logan Ondrusek. Dusty Baker turned it over to Aroldis Chapman. Jim Tracy countered with Jonathan Herrera, who did what he needed to do. He put the ball in play and the Rockies got their 4th run. Chapman rebounded to get CarGo to 6-4-3 DP.

Then came the 8th. Tulo tied with a towering blast to RF (Highlight). Jason Giambi drew a walk. Chris Nelson pinch ran. The wheels fell off the Reds. Baseball history was made.

Matt Reynolds did his job out of the pen. Matt Belisle did his and was rewarded with a win. Huston Street struck out the side in the 9th to earn his 17th save.

What an awesome day at Coors Field.

Tomorrow

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in town and that makes me nervous. These guys have caused the Rockies some trouble. It's a classic situation where an emotional letdown takes place. The Rockies can't afford that. As well as everything is going right now, this team still has little to no margin for error.

Take care of business!

Jorge De La Rosa vs Joe Saunders

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Reds

A little Thursday afternoon baseball leading into the NFL season opener.  A chance to complete a four game sweep over the first place Cincinnati Reds.  Does it get any better than this??

Rockies Lineup (75-64)

1. 2B  Young
2. CF  Fowler
3. LF  Gonzalez
4. SS  Tulowitzki
5. 1B  Giambi
6. 3B  Mora
7. RF  Spilborghs
8. C    Iannetta
9. P     Hammel

Reds Lineup (79-60)

1. CF Stubbs
2. 2B  Phillips
3. 1B  Votto
4. 3B  Rolen
5. LF  Gomes
6. C    Hernandez
7. RF  Heisey
8. SS  Janish
9. P    Wood

Rock Solid Recap: Depth Matters

I mean it really matters. That's what gives the Rockies such a huge advantage over all the other beat up squads come September.

Think about it. This team has released Brad Hawpe. They lost Ian Stewart to a ribcage injury. They lost Clint Barmes to major suckage. Aaron Cook takes one off the lower leg (which turned out to be awful news). Melvin Mora needs a nap. Todd Helton needs a couple innings off.

No problem.

Rockies 9, Reds 2

The Rockies just keep finding guys to plug in the holes.

Seth Smith in RF -- HR (highlight)

Johnny Herrera in for Mora who was in for Stewart -- Clutch 2-run single to start the Rockies scoring. (highlight)

Eric Young at 2B -- 2 hits, 2 RBI, good defense, pain in the opponent's ass. (highlight)

Esmil Rogers relieves Cook in the 6th -- Gives the team a couple innings. Had some traffic, but limited it to only one run. Now we'll have to see if it's Rogers or Jeff Francis who takes Cook's place in the rotation. I'm betting on the latter.

Chris Iannetta plays a little 1B -- With the Rockies up 9-1 in the 6th, I suggested tonight could be the night we finally see this happen. I honestly didn't think it would happen, but every now and then the blind squirrel finds the nut.

Other contributions came from Manny Delcarmen, Samuel Deduno, and Jay Payton even reached base. None of those guys were officially on the roster 10 days ago. We even saw Michael McKenry make his ML debut. Quality 7-pitch AB that ended in a popout.

Of course there were contributions from old faces as well. Namely a guy known as Tulo. Two bombs for him tonight (HR #1 & HR #2) And one can't overlook the five solid innings from Aaron Cook before the unfornature injury ended his night, and possibly his season.

I have so much respect for Aaron Cook and everything that he has overcome in his career. It just makes me sick that he comes back looking mentally recharged and physically refreshed, only to have another bout of bad luck. Real shame. Get well soon, Cookie.

Tomorrow

Could the Rockies sweep yet another first place team?

Jason Hammel vs Travis Wood

I have to tell you, this Travis Wood can do some things. He held the Rockies to one run over six innings back in July. A game the Rockies won 1-0 behind Cook. Wood also hit his first ML HR in his last start. He's an all around player with a quality arm.

But I'm thinking Hammel gets this job done and seals the deal.

Lineup Card: Rockies vs Reds

A couple links from earlier in the day...

Some CarGo Thoughts & Links (Heaven & Helton)

MLB Network: Six Seconds of Stupid (Bugs & Cranks)

Rockies Lineup (74-64)

1. 2B  Young
2. CF  Fowler
3. LF  Gonzalez
4. SS  Tulowitzki
5. 1B  Helton
6. RF  Smith
7. C    Olivo
8. 3B  Herrera
9. P    Cook

Melvin Mora gets to take his much needed nap tonight.  

Reds Lineup (79-59)

1. CF  Stubbs
2. 2B  Phillips
3. 1B  Votto
4. 3B  Rolen
5. LF  Gomes
6. RF  Heisey
7. C    Hannigan
8. SS  Janish
9. P    Arroyo