Rock Solid Recrap: More About Bob And The Great Guillermo

Nationals 12, Rockies 5 (boxscore)

Farewell, Bob: First things first, I wrote a little bit about Bob Apodaca's reassignment in the Lineup Card today. All I'll really add now is that, despite the low point we've reached now in terms of the Rockies pitching struggles, I truly do appreciate his contributions to the Rockies over his ten seasons of service. 

You can discredit the man if you want, but there's really no denying that a lot of good things happened under his watch, which peaked during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. But there always comes a time when change and fresh ideas are necessary to keep the process moving forward. I think that's especially true when you call Coors Field — the most unique and mentally taxing ballpark on the planet — your home. 

Apodaca's time to move on had definitely arrived. But I'll still pass on kicking him on his way out the door, because he took on the challenge of solving pitching at one mile above sea level for TEN years, and this is the first time he's backed away from the challenge. 

I can admire that. I can respect that. I actually appreciate that. And I truly hope the next full time pitching coach can match his patience and mental stamina when taking on this challenge.

That said, I also hope the new full time pitching coach has more effective and long-lasting ideas, because there's a lot of work to be done to get Rockies pitching back at the 09-10 level, but more importantly, to keep it at that level.

Now about tonight's baseball game...

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Nationals 6-26-12

Monday Recap: Jeff Francis Continues To Embrace Weird Pitching Gimmick

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (28-44)

1. Dexter Fowler (CF)
2. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Chris Nelson (2B)
7. Wilin Rosario (C)
8. Jonathan Herrera (SS)
9. Christian Friedrich (P)

Never a dull moment with these here Rockies. The USA Today — not the Denver Post, because the Rockies apparently feel it's necessary to stick it to the local media — is reporting that Bob Apodaca has asked for and been granted a reassignment within the Rockies organization. 

According to Tracy Ringolsby, the Rockies will now split the pitching coach duties between Jim Wright (bullpen) and Bo McLaughlin (starters). I imagine that setup will remain in place at least through the end of this season. And we've also now learned that Apodaca will be taking on a role titled "Special Assistant to the General Manager", which basically means "We don't have the balls to fire you, so here's a desk, office and paycheck. Be here everyday by noon." 

But the only news that really matters is that, for better or worse, he's no longer the Rockies pitching coach. And I'm 90% sure it's for the better, because constantly attempting to solve pitching at Coors Field has a way of mentally beating people down over time. Keeping the minds (and arms, too) involved in the process as fresh as possible seems like a good plan of action to me, but it also might be impossible to keep them fresh enough to really be effective for a sustained stretch. 

Washington Nationals (41-30)

1. Danny Espinosa (2B)
2. Bryce Harper (CF)
3. Ryan Zimmerman (3B)
4. Michael Morse (RF)
5. Adam LaRoche (1B)
6. Ian Desmond (SS)
7. Tyler Moore (LF)
8. Jesus Flores (C)
9. Gio Gonzalez (P)

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton

Rock Solid Recap: Jeff Francis Continues To Embrace Weird Pitching Gimmick

Rockies 4, Nationals 2 (boxscore)

Winning Player: Jeff Francis - 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K, 66 pitches (48 strikes)

Francis pitched a terrific game tonight. He even HIT for himself in the 5th inning, which further cements how good and efficient he was to that point. 

Only, it really didn't, because Francis never took the mound in the 6th despite being nine pitches under the limit. 

I guess the whole Josh Outman thing backfiring so epically in Texas will now lead to more erring on the side of caution, rather than sending a guy out there with his pitch count and a potential win in the back of his mind. That's fine, I guess. As long as they're consistent with it, I can't bash that specific thought process (that lies within a bigger thought process that is indeed the lamest thing ever) too much. 

Also, still not a big fan of giving away free outs to a guy like Stephen Strasburg, but I can actually see the logic in not burning a pinch-hitter that early with a two out, non-scoring opportunity. 

I just used the word logic to describe a Rockies strategy. I may need a moment to collect myself. 

Done. 

I also think the only two people in the world embracing this pitching gimmick right now are Dan O'Dowd and Jeff Francis. Seriously, Francis has excelled in his three outings since the plan was put in place. And the Rockies are 3-0 in those games (1-6 in the others). 

Good for him. Good for the Rockies. They've actually managed to maximize (kind of) the talents of a starting pitcher. 

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Lineup Card: Rockies vs Nationals 6-25-12

Sunday's Recrap: Alex White Falls Apart, Marco Scutaro Extends Lead In Mental Gaffes

Lineups

Colorado Rockies (27-44)

1. Dexter Fowler (CF)
2. Marco Scutaro (2B)
3. Carlos Gonzalez (LF)
4. Michael Cuddyer (RF)
5. Todd Helton (1B)
6. Jordan Pacheco (3B)
7. Wilin Rosario (C)
8. Jonathan Herrera (SS)
9. Jeff Francis (P)

Washington Nationals (41-29)

1. Danny Espinosa (2B)
2. Bryce Harper (CF)
3. Ryan Zimmerman (3B)
4. Michael Morse (RF)
5. Adam LaRoche (1B)
6. Ian Desmond (SS)
7. Tyler Moore (LF)
8. Jesus Flores (C)
9. Stephen Strasburg (P)

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813 & @HeavenHelton

Rock Solid Recrap: Alex White Falls Apart, Marco Scutaro Extends Lead In Mental Gaffes

Rangers 4, Rockies 2 (boxscore)

What Went Wrong: 11 more hits for the Rockies tonight, raising their series total to 39. Unfortunately, this game resembled the one on Friday where they left 10 men on base (Tonight the number was 11), which is sad because they absolutely had a chance to win Friday's game with a couple well timed hits. They also had a chance to compete tonight with a couple well timed hits... and less bone-headed baserunning.

Turning Point: Speaking of which, the Rockies didn't break through against the Rangers until the 9th inning when they snapped Joe Nathan's long scoreless streak (since May 13). And it appeared they were right on the cusp of evening the score when Nathan uncorked a wild pitch. But of course, the Rockies screwed this up, because lead runner Eric Young decided he couldn't advance to third safely. Trail runner Marco Scutaro kept on moving, causing a traffic jam at second and a rundown that Texas pretty much botched in epic Rockies style, only the Rockies out botched them almost immediately.

How? Well, Scutaro started heading back to first, which drew the throw from catcher Mike Napoli. This allowed Scutaro to turn tail and scamper into second base just ahead of the second throw and tag. But Scutaro, for whatever reason, thought he was out, so he LEAVES the base and then is tagged out for real to kill the rally dead.

Watch the play here

So in the span of five days we had a Gold Glove first baseman lose track of the base in the 9th inning. Now we have this latest bone-headed play from Scutaro, who has honestly looked like the dumbest player to come through Colorado in 20 years. It's one unexplainable mental gaffe after another. And yes, the last two series in Philadelphia and Texas were there for the taking. But the Rockies are far more interested in giving.

Pathetic.

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