I fell asleep during the rain delay last night. Just as well. I resisted the urge to check online when I awoke, so that I could retain a slim hope that the game replay would reveal that the Rockies could come back and pull out a win in the last two+ innings against the Mets. No such luck.
Despite three home runs (all solo shots) from Troy Tulowitzki, Seth Smith and Carlos Gonzalez, the Mets carved out their first win in six attempts this season against the slumping Rockies. Jason Hammel pitched courageously (maybe too strong a word to describe his outing, but I'm grasping for some positives) after being bruised by a Ronny Paulino two-out line drive in the deciding 4th inning. After Hammel walked around for a couple minutes with the coaches and trainer, threw a couple warm-up pitches, it was determined that he was fit to continue with his bruised left (landing leg) calf. He promptly walked the 8-hole hitter, CF Jason Pridie, and served up a middle-of-the-plate get-ahead fastball to opposing pitcher Mike Pelfrey, who whacked it into right-center for a go-ahead two-run double, his first hit of the year.
The 4-2 lead held up just enough for the Mets, even though CarGo smacked an into-the-waterfalls home run in the 6th, for his first dinger of the season at Coors Field, where he recorded 26 during last year's breakout campaign. After the 7th inning rain delay, CF Dexter Fowler, who was at bat when play was interrupted with two outs and a 2-2 count, promptly Fowled a pitch off his left knee and couldn't continue. Ryan Spilborghs replaced Dex and drew a walk, but was stranded when Jonny Herrera struck out against Jason Isringhausen. The Rockies went down 1-2-3 in the eighth (CarGo, Tulo, Helton). Mets closer Frankie Rodriguez shut down the pressing Rox 1-2-3 in the 9th, with Jason Giambi pinch-hitting for a clueless Ian Stewart and grounding out to right field (the shift was on) for the final out.
The plate appearance by Giambi in the 9th means that he has one hit in his last 24 plate appearances (4 walks, 5 k's). He usually represents manager Jim Tracy's "last bullet" at game's end, when the Rockies need a power bat to pinch hit when they're tied or behind. Shootin' blanks, I'm afraid. Is it just me, or do you think that maybe, just maybe, a bunt to the left side of the diamond would produce better results at least 50% of the time for Giambi? Don't these guys take bunting seriously? Especially with Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez falling halfway toward first base when completing his delivery, at least try it, show it, make the Mets defense maybe move over a little, maybe opening up the right side of the infield a little bit. Couldn't that be one of the bullets?
Tuesday's game did set a new record for Coors Field, I think. Most players named Jason in a game: Pridie, Bay, Isringhausen, Hammel and Giambi.
On a happier note (for Sara and me, anyway), Derek Jeter is emerging out of a slump. His average is up to .283 after his recent 11 for 28 road trip and 7-game hitting streak. Alex Rodriguez broke out of a slump with his deciding bases-loaded two-run single in the 5th inning gave the Yankees the winning margin over the Kansas City Royals last night. I was really rooting for A-Rod to blast his 23rd career grand slam, which would tie Lou Gehrig for the most ever in Major League history. Mariano Rivera didn't appear as sharp as usual, giving up a hit and going to 3-ball counts to all three batters he faced, but got his 13th save anyway with an athletic spearing of a ground ball that started the 1-6-3 game-ending double play.
The Rockies and Yankees continue to lead their respective divisions, so life ain't real bad.
No Game Today, Wednesday Mets-Rockies game postponed.
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