Rox Recap 7/20/08 (Sweep? Tight!)

A sweep? Yeah, I know, right? I didn't think it could happen either. You could have told me Will Smith was starring as John McCain in a new summer blockbuster and I would have thought it more plausible than the Rockies sweeping a team, any team, in four straight games. With the way this team was playing as it fell face first into the All-Star break, I wasn't even sure if we'd win another series the entire season. In that series with the Mets, what did we have, like 4 hits? And Brad Hawpe had 3 of them? Not exactly a recipe for success. Now that we're four games into the second half, there's a glint of fire in the eyes of these Rockies players not seen since last October. As they stand now, only 6 games back of the Dodgers and D-Bags with Los Doyers coming to town for a 3 game set, all of a sudden it seems like anything is possible...just don't look at their overall record (it's still an embarassing 43-57).

1) Cookie looked as if he was still a bit hungover from his magical and breathtaking performance in the All-Star game in the first inning. He was rushing his delivery, his sinker was flat, and his command was AWOL. Before I had a chance to grab a Coors and a seat on the couch we were looking square in the face of a 3-0 deficit. Then, as if Major Payne had just come into the dugout and scared Cookie straight, he was nearly unhittable for the next 6 innings. For example, he threw 25 pitches in the first inning...and only 57 the rest of the way. He faced the minimum 18 hitters after the first and only allowed one baserunner who was subsequently erased on a double play. It was about as dominating as Cookie has been this season as he notched his 12th win of the season possibly on his way to becoming the first Rockies 20 game winner.

2) This is big time for Ian K Stewart in his development to become a Rockies regular. With God Helton out for an indefinite period of time, Garrett's going to take over the first base duties with Shake and Bake manning second base. That leaves a golden opportunity for Stewie to take advantage of consistent playing time and prove to the Rockies front office, manager, fellow ballplayers, and fans that his potential and power are worth the mass quantities of strikeouts. Today was hopefully the start of a beautiful relationship. With two, two-out rbi doubles (3 rbis in all), both off left handed pitching, Ian is starting to make a case that he not only belongs in the big leagues, but that he can be productive while doing it. So what if he struck out his other two plate appearances. I'll take 2-4 with 3 rbis every game and I think the rest of the Rockies will too. The Rockies radio team of Jeff and Jack today gave a pretty telling stat of Stew's potential. This season when Ian puts the ball in play, he's 15-32 (.469). The problem is, he's struck out 31 times in his 63 at bats. With more playing time, he's bound to get more comfortable in his own skin.

3) Back to back jacks are always fun.

4) Can we trade Taveras yet? Or Torrealba? Pleeeeeeease?

Tulo's raking in AA and hopefully it'll translate when we activate him off the DL for tomorrow's game.

Go Asheville Tourists.