Recap: Rockies 5, Phillies 4
Turning point: After the Philadelphia Phillies scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to close to within a run, the Rockies responded by loading the bases to start the seventh inning. But after J.A. Happ was pulled with an injury, Scott Eyre came in to strike out Carlos Gonzalez on three pitches. Dexter Fowler was down in the count 1-2, but managed to lift a fly ball to right field to score an important insurance run.
At the plate: The Rockies scored first with a manufactured run in the first inning. Carlos Gonzalez led off the game with a single and stole second on a pickoff play when Ryan Howard double-pumped on the throw to second. Gonzalez moved to third on a Dexter Fowler bunt and scored when Todd Helton nubbed a ball in front of the plate . . . Yorvit Torrealba, who had plenty of clutch singles and doubles down the stretch, homered for the first time since May 6 in the fourth inning, a two-run shot to give the Rockies a 3-0 lead . . . The Rockies added another run in the fifth inning when Aaron Cook singled and moved to third a Gonzalez double. Cook jogged in on a sacrifice fly by Fowler. Gonzalez tagged up and moved to third in a risky move that would have nullified Cook’s run had he been thrown out . . . The Rockies missed an opportunity in the eighth inning when Clint Barmes grounded out and Jason Giambi struck out with the bases loaded . . . Torrealba was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI . . . Troy Tulowitzki was 0-for-3, but was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning after tagging a huge foul ball to left that was just missed being a home run . . . Gonzalez was 3-for-5 with a run scored. He is now 5-for-9 with two runs in the series.
On the mound: Aaron Cook picked up where he left off in the regular season, shutting out the Phillies for the first five innings on four hits and two walks. The sixth inning was less pleasant for Cook, who allowed three straight hits and a run to start the inning. Two more runs scored after he was pulled for Jose Contreras with nobody out in the sixth inning. Cook struck out four . . . Contreras allowed two hits and two of Cook’s runs to score in the sixth inning, but was able to shut down the rally with an inning-ending double play to protect the Rockies’ lead . . . Matt Belisle pitched a one-two-three seventh . . . Rafael Betancourt retired Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the eighth inning before giving up a sole home run to Jayson Werth . . . Franklin Morales finished the eighth by getting Raul Ibanez to ground out to second . . . Huston Street allowed a walk and a single in the ninth, but got Shane Victorino to line out to end the game . . . Cole Hamels did not fare as well as the Phillies’ Game 1 starter, Cliff Lee, giving up four runs and seven hits in five innings. Hamels didn’t walk a batter and struck out five before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning . . . The Phillies used Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ, both potential starters later in the series, in relief. Blanton pitched a quiet sixth and was charged with a run in the seventh after being pulled with two on and nobody out. Happ entered and left the seventh after facing only one batter, pinch-hitter Seth Smith, who hit an infield single off Happ’s knee.
Numbers game: 2 homers in 213 at-bats for Torrealba in the regular season. After his last homer May 6 against Randy Johnson of the Giants. Torrealba didn’t homer in his final 188 regular-season at-bats.
This game showed how our bullpen will beat theirs any day. Terrific win. Onto Coors Field and some interesting weather in the forecast.
Did what was essential–got the split. Guys need to take a pitch once in a while. Why’s Barmes swinging away in the eighth after watching Tulo get hit and a walk? And Helton needs to loosen up and hit. A-rod like playoff numbers. Torrealba is still the most reliable in the clutch situations. Onto home and the snow….
Player of the game: Dexter Fowler with his three sacrifices (2 RBI sac flies). He was the difference.
Geez, you’d think MLB would consider Colorado weather in setting start times. Saturday night is going to be really cold. Forecast says a low of 28…and a high of 34! A day game would make more sense, if only for the Sun’s warmth.
This game could have been a laugher, but Barmes is killing them at the plate. It’s okay to be aggressive, but at least swing at strikes. Looks like the Phillies will start either Martinez or Blanton on Saturday, so expect to see an OF of Smith/CarGo/Hawpe. Good win and sets up the Rox to close it at home.
Huge win. Glad to see Yorvit is continuing his clutch streak into the postseason. Looking forward to the games here, but not the below-freezing temperatures in the forecast.
What an enjoyable season. They are playing good baseball, lets hope Hammel can come out and just continue what he’s done for the second half of the season.
I will be at the game sat nite and I’m glad its at nite. I know it will be cold but playoff games(in my opinion) have no business playing during the day.
Great win, it was a must win without actually being a must win! Game 3 will be very critical, the winner sets themselves up nicely.
I really wish Tracy would put Atkins on the bench. I don’t care if Stewart is 0-100 against the pitcher on that day, Atkins isn’t the player he used to be. He hasn’t been all year. So why do they continue to give him oppurtunities? Stewart’s defense is the reason he should play. Not that Atkins has made any errors in these games, but cmon, quit playing him on what hes done in the past. And I know Stewart’s struggles at the plate(especially all his k’s)have contributed to Atkins getting more time too. But like I said, at least Stewart is an above average fielder compared to Atkins below average fielding.
Anyone able to see anything on the HBP of Tulo? Did he admire the foul ball or something. Berman on ESPN radio thought Blanton was trying to send a message and Sutcliffe, said Blanton was dumb if that’s what he was trying to do.
Any injury report on Tulo?
Great win, now hope the cold weather affects the Phillies more and the fans are really able to get into the game early.
Robba,
the weather has nothing to do with it. It’s all about market size. Of all the series, Denver versus Philly is the smallest total market size. We’ll get the worst of the starting times every time.
Regardless of that, I was in Chicago in August and was lucky enough to take in a cubbies game. The wind was blowing in and I just about froze my butt off. It could be freezing in any of the cities now with the exception of the LA teams. Just bad timing weather wise for Denver. Just put your ski gear on and head to the game for some fun.
WooHoo!!! great win today.
A note on Morales:
His fastball is showing some signs of life, its up in the 95-95-97 range again, so hopefully we have the Morales that we have come to know the better part of this season.
I’m expecting them to start Blanton Saturday, which I think works out well for us. I’d say chances are Happ pitches Game 4, especially if we win Game 3.
This is a huge opportunity. Blanton is a righty I really feel like we can get to early…I know that Smith can’t wait to get out there and I could see him making a difference in that lineup right now because you know he’s good for (hopefully) one-two hits in these clutch situations, hopefully an XBH. We also get to see Stewart in the starting lineup.
Anyone going to the game, please be loud! We have to take advantage of this home field advantage. This series should be over in two games. The last thing we want is to head back to Philadelphia where they hand the ball to Cliff Lee in a deciding game.
Trip, i also think the Saturday game is about location. TBS is starting a game at 7:35 p.m., MDT. If they put St. Louis in that slot that game wouldn’t start until 8:35 p.m., St. Louis time. Remember, there are no AL Games. And if all four teams play on Sunday, expect the Rockies to be the last game, again, because of location. The AL games will be in Boston and Minneapolis and the other NL game is in St. Louis.
My apologies to Matt Belisle, I buried him early on when up for the Rockies, now he is a zone and has really come on. Nice job. Good win, good team effort. I know Philly didn’t want to come to Denver evened up. Lets go get the next one.
If the game on saturday turns out to be not close either way the rocks need to plunk Howard. That HBP looked very blantant and the Rockies pitchers need to take care of the future of this franchise. Frankie is proving why he needed to be on the roster, if for only this series. Lets finish this at home boys. Beat up on Pedro and take advantage of that poor bullpen.
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