The Rockies hung on to win last night vs the Dodgers, but it was, by no means, a satisfying victory. Why? Because, with 17 hits and 2 walks against 3 Los Angeles pitchers, the un-opportunistic Colorado batters scored only 6 runs, leaving 16 runners on base, hitting into 3 double-plays and spoiling numerous rallies with empty at-bats with runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs.
The Rockies built a 6-run lead on SS Troy Tulowitzki's second inning 12th home run (his first since May 17th), and a 5-run fifth inning on 7 singles, two Dodger errors and a wild pitch. Rockies starter, Jhoulys Chacin, cruised through 8 innings of 3-hit, shutout ball, with 9 Ks and 3 walks. The Dodgers never got a runner past second base against Chacin, who improved his 2011 record to 7-4 and lower his ERA to 2.90. National League hitters are averaging only .199 against the 23-year-old right-hander, who has become the de facto ace of the Colorado staff.
The Rockies bullpen took over to close out the game, and that's when it got very interesting. The usually reliable (maybe over-worked?) Matt Belisle came in to work the ninth. Manager Jim Tracy made some defensive changes as well, removing 1B Todd Helton to rest his weary, tightening back, and give him some extra time off in advance of his scheduled day off on Saturday. Ryan Spilborghs replaced Seth Smith in right in the 8th inning after Smith fouled a pitch off his right foot in the bottom of the 7th. 2B Jonathan Herrera pinch hit for Chacin in the 8th and remained in the game at second, with 3B Ty Wigginton moving to first, and 2B Chris Nelson moving over to third (remember that move, as it impacted the game in the 9th).
The 9th inning began with Belisle striking out Dodger RF Andre Ethier. Manager Don Mattingly inserted Matt Kemp as a pinch hitter for P Javy Guerra. Kemp did not start the game, to rest a sore hamstring, but was in the process of a 255-games-played streak, the current longest in the Major Leagues (pales in comparison to Cal Ripken, Jr.'s 2,632 game streak). He lobbied Mattingly to pinch hit to keep his streak alive. Harmless enough, in a game seemingly out of reach. He was instructed to be cautious and not over-stretch his sore hammy. He didn't, as he trotted leisurely around the bases after he clocked a pitch from Belisle onto the concourse in left-centerfield, next to Helton's Hamburger Stand. Okay, 6-1, still safe, right? A single to 1B James Loney, fly out from former Rockie, 2B/3B Juan Uribe. One on, two outs, piece of cake, eh? Dodger C Dioner Navarro bounces a routine ground ball to third, Chris Nelson fielded it cleanly and threw to first, game over. Not so fast, the throw was a bit low, one that we take for granted would be scooped by the incomparable Todd Helton at first. But, Wigginton couldn't close the glove around the 27th and final out, throwing error Nelson. Two on, two out. No big deal, if the Rockies were batting, game over. Tony Gwynn, Jr. doubled to drive in Loney, Navarro to third. Now it's 6-2, runners on second and third and a save situation. Out goes Belisle, in comes Huston Street, open the bottle of Tums.
Now, just because Street has 18 saves in 20 opportunities, doesn't make me glad to see him enter a game. First batter, Aaron Miles (another former Rockies), singles, driving in two, 6-4. The Rockies show what is known as 'defensive indifference', as they allow Miles to take second base without a throw, and he is not credited with a stolen base. Dodger C Rod Barajas singles to drive in an indifferently-scoring-positioned Miles for the Dodgers' 5th run. Oh-oh, dirt in the fuel line. Jamey Carroll (another former Rockie) pinch runs for the lead-legged Barajas, which brought up the Dodger LF Trent Oeltjen, who had just been called up the day before to avoid being allowed to become a free-agent. He had walked, singled and stolen a base earlier in this game. He strikes out on three pitches, to thankfully give the Rockies a 1-run victory, and Street his 19th save, barely.
Last night's game, in many ways, foreshadowed tonight's game, which I am watching right now. As soon as this debacle is over, you'll read some more rants about how this team (the Rockies) is an under-achieving, poorly managed, going nowhere, second-division disappointment. But, enough about their positive attributes...........
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