Rock Solid Recap: Rockies' E's lead the way (not errors for once!)

Rockies 6, Nationals 3 (boxscore)

So far, so good for Esmil Rogers in his latest experiment as a starting pitcher. Alright, so technically the 5 inning performance in San Diego was a relief appearance. But in reality it was an extension of that God awful idea with Ubaldo, so I'm considering that as a start as well.

Don't argue with me. I know it's flawed.

Anyway, he pitched well there. He also pitched pretty well here, although we saw a lot of the same problems that have limited his starting potential in the past. He started slow allowing one run on two hits and a walk in the first. A total of 29 pitches in that inning.

That puts him behind the preferred starter's pace. Then he wasn't able to record enough quick outs to get back on pace and couldn't get through the 6th. But he did get the outs without allowing Washington to plate another run. Ultimately that's the most important factor, so I'll call this encouraging and something positive he can build from.

And he gets the win.

Three more positives

1. Eric Young: Eric Young had his best game in a long time at the ML level. Maybe it was his best game to date. Battling leadoff, Young was able to reach base FOUR times (one hit, THREE walks), swiped a bag and knocked in two to lead the offensive attack.

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Lineup Card: 8-4-11 Rockies vs Nationals

If you're looking for Rockies game lineups and you don't feel like searching all over Twitter or waiting for MLB.com to post them, check back to Heaven & Helton about 30-60 minutes before first pitch. They should be here waiting for you every night game and some afternoon games.

Alright, so the Lineup Card hasn't been up as much as I'd like in recent days. Chalk that up to normal temperatures and yard work that was three weeks overdue.

Phillies Series Recraps (three of them)

Monday: Street + Phillies = Sadness
Tuesday: Apparently the Phillies have 7 aces now
Wednesday: Thanks for the education

Colorado Rockies (51-60)

1. LF Eric Young
2. CF Dexter Fowler
3. 1B Todd Helton
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki
5. 3B Ty Wigginton 
6. 2B Chris Nelson
7. RF Ryan Spilborghs
8. C   Chris Iannetta
9. P   Esmil Rogers

Seth Smith's reward for homering against Cole Hamels? A comfortable seat on the bench against Ross Detwiler. Oy. Nothing happenin' Ryan Spilborghs gets the starting in right. EY gets left.

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Lackluster Recrap: Thanks for the education

Not that we needed one to realize how far the Rockies are from being relevant in the National League. The Phillies are definitely the measuring stick right now, and thanks to them we confirmed the Rockies are pretty comfortably stationed between the bottom of that stick and the halfway point.

Not even good enough to be mediocre.

Phillies 8, Rockies 6 (boxscore)

Considering Jason Hammel's ups and downs of late, I'd say Wednesday's start went pretty close to what you'd except. Which is unfortunate, because Halladay's start went nothing like I expected. Something decent from Hammel would have actually positioned the Rockies to win this game. Judging from his postgame comments, he's just as dissatisfied with himself as the rest of us.

Rex Brothers continued his very recent struggles. He's now allowed runs in each of his last three appearances, taking the loss in two. That's after allowing ONE run in the 18 appearances prior. So basically, I think any lashing out in his direction would be short-sighted and unnecessary. Hopefully not too much of that is happening in Denver.

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Lackluster Recrap: Apparently the Phillies have 7 aces now

Isn't that about where Kyle Kendrick ranks on the Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching depth chart? And that guy shuts you out for eight innings on four hits? What a train wreck.

Of all the hideous performances this season against marginal big league starters, this one rates pretty close to the most disappointing, discouraging, and dare I say, disgusting.

Throw in embarrassing while you're at it.

And nauseating.

Phillies 5, Rockies 0 (boxscore)

Sometimes when I have nothing nice to say about the Rockies performance I just jump right to the three positives in this spot. That's not going to happen this time. All I'm going to say is hats off to Edgmer Escalona for coming in and providing three scoreless innings of relief. That could come in handy on Wednesday if 1,000 things happen to go in the Rockies favor and they have a chance to beat Roy Halladay.

Honestly, if the Rockies don't get no-hit by Halladay I might be pretty thrilled. I'm fully expecting a full-on no-hitter alert deep into that game. Maybe even a perfect game alert.

That's all I have. I could sit here for another hour trying to think of creative ways to describe how poorly they played, or I could go to bed.

I'm going to bed.

Lackluster Recrap: Street + Phillies = Sadness

This season stinks doesn't it?

Phillies 4, Rockies 3 (10) (boxscore)

One out away from putting away the dreaded Phillies. If It seems like we've been there 100 times before, it's because we've actually been there 5-6 times. And that final out never seems to come. Unfortunately, they are the one team that owns Huston Street. Not that he hasn't had a bad outing here or there against someone else, but that's the team that always gets him.

They tormented him all throughout 2009, with the playoffs being nothing short of disastrous. He didn't face them in any meaningful action in 2010, but did fare well in two appearances. Save opportunity on Monday; two up, two down rather easily, and back to tormenting. Couldn't finish them.

Huston doesn't seem like the type that would let a team get in his head, but if the Phillies aren't in there, I'd be shocked. And if he doesn't have nightmares about that 3-2 pitch to John Mayberry that tied the game, I'd be shocked about that as well.

Steet has now allowed 10 home runs on the season. That's tops in baseball for a reliever and 25% of his total allowed in seven seasons. So yes, a very disturbing number, and looking at the here and now a big concern. But I'd like to think there's a good chance it'll get better if he simply starts locating better and making smarter pitches.

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