I came to a realization today about our boys after enjoying this rare 3 game winning streak they have so generously bestowed upon us. Their record as of today, May 20, stands at 18-27, hardly something to sneeze at (though my allergies have me doing quite the contrary.) 18-27 though. Sound familiar? Last year at this time, the Rox had the exact same 18-27 record as they had just lost the first game of a series in the desert with the D-Backs. Then Troy Tulowitzki, or so the story goes, erupted in the clubhouse after the game, screaming about how the team was too talented to be playing such shitty baseball. From that point on, well, you know the rest. The Rockies were the second best team in baseball the rest of the way going 72-46 and making their magical run to the World Series. I’m not saying history is going to repeat itself because we still have many glaring holes in our ballclub (starting pitching, second base, clutch hitting, upper management, manager, mascot, etc), but I still agree with Tulo circa 2007. This team is way too talented to be playing like they have been all year, and hopefully it’s only a matter of time before we begin another run…to at least mediocrity.
1) Clint Barmes: See Eric’s previous blog post.
2) The starting pitching has begun the slow turnaround as well, hopefully beginning a better trend than the Latin Invasion. Jorge (pronounced George like Jorge Piedra) de la Rosa threw 5.1 manageable innings yesterday, only allowing 2 earned runs and 4 hits. Though Jason "George Foreman" Grilli got the win, his first as a Rockie, our starting pitching has begun to pitch to their potential. From Four-Balldo to Francis, from Cookie to G-Rain (that’s Reynolds) we’ve gotten strong performances from everyone lately. It’s not their fault the offense hasn’t scored any runs or the bullpen hasn’t held their leads. If we continue on this path, everything else is going to fall into place.
3) You might not see a gutsier double play than the one turned by Omar Quintanilla last night in the 8th. With no outs and runners on first and second, Aaron Rowand, after making the worst decision of his professional career by leaving the Phillies to sign with the Giants, swung at the first pitch and grounded to Atkins at third. He winged it to Quintaniller at second who hung in hard with the runner bearing down on him and somehow got enough on the throw to double up Rowand. He was even hit on the knee in midair and still managed to complete the play. If he doesn’t cowboy up there, it’s first and third with one out and the Rockies are still in trouble. Instead they get out of the inning and eventually take the game 4-3 for their third straight win. Skip Hurdle recognized the play as a turning point and even though Omahhhh is 0 for his last 15, plays like that win ballgames and the Rockies haven’t done enough of the little things right to be successful this season.
On a sidenote, my cousin Justin Masterson pitches for the Red Sox today against the Kansas City Royals in Fenway. In his Major League debut against Los Los Angeles Angeles, he threw 6 innings only giving up 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 4. No pressure though, but all he has to do is follow Jon Lester’s no hitter from last night.
Go…Jets?
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