Road Rash

I missed the start of the Rockies vs Padres matchup yesterday, and forgot to set the DVR, so I have to rely on MLB Channel highlights, Denver Post and Yahoo Sports accounts, but the results were very satisfying, for this game. 

It was good to see that Aaron Cook could pitch into the 6th inning, in his return to the starting rotation for his first appearance in the Major Leagues since last September 8th.  He left the game in the 6th inning with a lead, 3-2, but with runners at first and second with two outs.  Usually reliable Rockie reliever Matt Belisle, gave up a single to Padres 2B Alberto Gonzalez (the 8-hole hitter, currently batting .205), that drove in San Diego RF Brad Hawpe with the tying run.  Belisle escaped further damage by retiring pinch-hitter Kyle Phillips on a fly ball to deep left-center.

The score remained tied going into the top of the 9th, when the Rox tacked on the final two runs of the game.  CF Carlos Gonzalez began the frame with a single to centerfield.  Jonathan Herrera pinch-hit for 2B Chris Nelson and executed a perfect *gasp* sacrifice bunt, moving CarGo into scoring position.  Padres closer Heath Bell then intentionally walked 1B Todd Helton to set up the potential double play.  That strategy backfired when Bell almost hit SS Troy Tulowitzki with a high and tight fast ball that Tulo dodged, but catcher Nick Hundley couldn't handle, as the pitch went to the backstop, as Gonzalez and Helton advanced to third and second.  This was Hundley's first game back in the Padres lineup since May 4th, when he went on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle.  Tulo then took a chest-high off-speed pitch from Bell and laced it into right-center for a two run double, a key hit that has been eluding the Rockies anemic batting order for many weeks of futility.

Matt Lindstrom pitched a shaky, but scoreless 8th inning (where was Betancourt?).  Huston Street pitched a perfect 1-2-3 ninth for the save, as Belisle was charged with the blown save and Lindstrom got the W.

The Rockies return home to the not-so-friendly confines of Coors Field for tonight's opening game of a 4-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  I said previously that the Rockies needed a 6-3 or better road trip.  They went 4-5.  I said the lineups should feature the best possible players on defense daily so as not to give up any cheap runs, as our pitchers have had to be way too careful with the way the offense has struggled.  Yesterday's win vs the last-place Padres was the first time the Rockies scored more than 3 runs in one game since May 28th.  Todd Helton continues to be Mr. Consistency, as he reached base 5 times against the Padres, with a homer (# 341), two doubles (# 540 and # 541), a single (# 1,374) and a walk (# 1,217).

Rockies need to win a minimum of 5 games on this 7-game home stand (4 vs Dodgers, 3 vs Padres).  They are a woeful 2 games under .500 at home this year.  We're still waiting and hoping for that hot streak to hit, and this would be a good time.  Go Rockies!