Rock Solid Recrap: Another Day, Another Clunker

Before I get worked up or start saying things about a completely meaningless and unimportant baseball game, I want to send along the very best wishes to Miguel Olivo.

That is one of the scariest things you'll see on a baseball field. One blow to the head is nothing to take lightly. Then you think back to the collision with Tulowitzki on Sunday and how Olivo needed a couple days to recover from that shot to the head. Two blows to the head (including one with a bat) in five days is something I would say is potentially serious.

Here's to hoping he'll be okay, that he's getting the best care (which I fully believe he is in St. Louis.), and that he'll make good decisions about his health now and in the future if this becomes a reoccurring issue for him.

Cardinals 3, Rockies 0

Thank goodness this thing ends on Sunday.

Seriously, if this season had another week or two left, I'd be concerned the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros would end up with a better record. This team has simply checked out.

I wish (for their sake) I could come up with an acceptable excuse for what we're seeing, but it's at the point now where I just shake my head in embarrassment.  Thankfully no one outside Colorado is paying attention anymore. If they were, I would have a difficult time trying to explain why this is happening.

Chris Carpenter shutting you down is one thing, even if you didn't exactly battle at the plate as I would expect you to, but following that up with this effort against Jake Westbrook is awful. Have some pride.

On a positive note: Jorge De La Rosa pitched well again. Dexter Fowler and Jonathan Herrera are still doing their thing. Annnnddddd... that's about it.

Tomorrow

Ubaldo Jimenez goes for #20 against Kyle Lohse.  

Remember folks, that's an early start for all of you in Colorado.  First pitch is 11:10.  

Lineup Card: Rockies @ Cardinals

Three to go.  I wish I could say I'm sad the Rockies season is ending, but the team itself doesn't too interested in making the games worthwhile viewing, so whatever.  Three games to go.  

Rockies Lineup (83-76)

1. CF  Fowler
2. 2B  Herrera
3. RF  Gonzalez
4. SS  Tulowitzki
5. 1B  Helton
6. 3B  Mora
7. LF  Spilborghs
8. C    Olivo
9. P     De La Rosa

I like Jonathan Herrera very much, but I thought we were giving Chris Nelson a look-see here.  Why not, I don't know, let him play 2-3 days in a row, get in a rhythm, perhaps establish something close to a routine.  How are we getting a good read on him when we aren't affording a real opportunity?

Cardinals Lineup (83-76)

1. 2B  Greene
2. CF  Mather
3. 1B  Pujols
4. LF  Holliday
5. RF  Craig 
6. 3B  Feliz
7. C    Pagnozzi
8. SS  Ryan
9. P    Westbrook

Rock Solid Recrap: Money & Time Well Saved

Cardinals 6, Rockies 1

I hate to say it, but I'm glad I didn't commit any time or money into making the drive to St. Louis this weekend.

It looks like all the Rockies were willing to invest was the time and energy it takes to get on the plane.  Anything beyond that is too much to ask at this point.  What a shame.  I thought this team had pride, but I think once you have to question a team's pride more than five times in a season, it's probably not there.

Some of the player's have it, don't get me wrong about that, but not nearly enough of them do to make the team competitive in the face of adversity.  Not enough pride, too much apathy.

As David Martin said in his recap, I hope they find enough motivation within themselves to at least help Ubaldo Jimenez out on Saturday.  That would give all of us something to feel good about as we head into what will be the most important winter of the Dan O'Dowd era.

I do need to acknowledge Dexter Fowler for notching 14 triples.  To me anything over 10 is astonishing, even playing in Coors Field, and especially when you spent a good month in the minors.  Great accomplishment for him.  Hopefully he comes back next year looking to use the gaps to his advantage again, and who knows, maybe 20 triples are within reach.

Also, nice work by Manny Delcarmen, Edgmer Escalona and Samuel Deduno out of the bullpen.  If the offense had actually decided to work some ABs and put a little pressure on Chris Carpenter, the door for a comeback would have been open thanks to their fine work.

Tomorrow

Jorge De La Rosa vs Jake Westbrook

Could this be Jorge's final start with the Rockies?  Only his agent knows.

Lineup Card: Rockies @ Cardinals

Back in business tonight.  I was away last night working on a couple writing projects that I hope you will enjoy in the coming days.  

Rockies Lineup (83-75)

1. CF  Fowler 
2. 2B  Nelson
3. LF  Spilborghs
4. SS  Tulowitzki
5. 1B  Helton
6. 3B  Stewart
7. C    Iannetta
8. RF  Smith
9. P     Hammel 

My early thoughts and prayers are with Jason Hammel's arm as it appears to be one bad pitch away from falling off.  Hang in there, arm.

Cardinals Lineup (82-76)

1. 2B  Schumaker
2. RF  Craig
3. 1B  Pujols
4. LF  Holliday
5. CF  Rasmus 
6. 3B  Feliz
7. C    Pagnozzi
8. SS  Ryan
9. P    Carpenter

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.