Game Recap: Rockies 4, Giants 3 (15 innings)
Key to the Game
After watching a 3-0 lead unravel into a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning, Huston Street, Esmil Rogers and Randy Flores combined to shut out the San Francisco Giants for seven innings as the Colorado Rockies offense missed five chances to push across the winning run before finally breaking through on their six try.
Rogers pitched four shutout innings, including a gutsy 13th inning that started with a leadoff triple when what should have been a single by Aubrey Huff skipped under Seth Smith‘s glove in right field. But Rogers came back to strike out Pat Burrell and Eli Whiteside. Then, after an intentional walk to Juan Uribe, Rogers stranded Huff with a groundball to short from Edgar Renteria.
In the ninth inning, Clint Barmes, who was 0-for-3 coming into the at-bat, singled to start the inning, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. After Huston Street failed to get a sacrifice bunt down, Dexter Fowler walked to put runners at first and second with one out. But Johnny Herrera struck out and Carlos Gonzalez flied out to end the inning.
In the 10th inning, Seth Smith and Chris Iannetta singled to put runners at the corners with two outs, Barmes walked to load the bases and pinch-hitter Brad Hawpe grounded out to end another threat.
In the 11th inning, Fowler and Gonzalez walked, but Todd Helton grounded into an inning-ending double play.
In the 13th inning after Rogers pitched out a jam, Barmes singled, Fowler walked and Herrera singled to load the bases with one out, but Gonzalez and Helton struck out.
In the 14th inning, Seth Smith walked, stole second and went to third on a wild throw. With Smith at third base and nobody out, Melvin Mora and Iannetta were intentionally walked to again load the bases. Barmes struck out and pinch-hitter Miguel Olivo field out to left field. Smith was cut down at the plate trying to score.
Finally, in the 15th inning, Fowler capped a huge game and series with a leadoff triple. The Giants again intentionally walked Herrera and Gonzalez to load the bases. Helton, who entered the game in the ninth inning, hit a sacrifice fly to at last score the winning run.
Other Highlights
– Dexter Fowler reached base seven times. He was 3-for-4 with two triples, a single and four walks and scored two of the Rockies’ runs. In the series, Fowler was 10-for-16 with a double, four triples, seven walks, seven runs scored and three RBI.
– Huston Street pitched a scoreless ninth and 10th innings. He allowed just one runner on a single in the ninth.
– Esmil Rogers allowed two hits, a walk and struck out of five in his fourth inning.
– Randy Flores pitched the 15th inning to pick up the win. Aubrey Huff reached on an error in the inning, but was left at second base.
– Jason Hammel shut out the Giants for seven innings and didn’t run into trouble until the eighth. Pinch-hitter Nate Schierholtz started the inning with a solo home run and Andres Torres followed with an inside-the-park home run. Hammel left the game with a 3-2 lead, the bases empty and nobody out in the eighth, but was left with a no decision when the Giants tied the game later in inning. Hammel allowed seven hits, a walk and struck out eight.
– Johnny Herrera and Carlos Gonzalez each drove in Fowler once, Herrera with a sacrifice fly in the third and Gonzalez with a single in the fifth.
– Chris Iannetta was 2-for-4 with a home run, single and three walks. His solo home run in the sixth inning put the Rockies up 3-0.
Fourth of July with a bottle of Tums… glad to have those guys 2.5 games back.
All ready to type demise of Todd and calling for him to go on DL with his back if he is going to hit like this, but he comes through, (finally) and makes a good defensive play as well. So I will leave that for another day, great to take 3 out of 4 and we can discuss the roster moves later on that are going to have to be made this week.
Happy 4th folks.
Surely they are not going to continue the Todd situation much longer. The need for a legitimate run producing first baseman is the true need of the team!!!!!!
just got back from the game. epic.
We were at the game and stayed for all 15 innings. I’m spent so only two comments for now (1) Rogers was awesome, (2) saw Fowler’s AB in the 15th from great seats behind HP (they moved people down because of lightning) and let me tell you he was on a mission. Dex was not about to be denied in that AB. Frustrating game but good result.
Not sure what to say about this one. Hammel is really performing well, maybe best in the rotation right now. That said, I think Tracy should’ve went with relievers to start the eighth. After that, well Dexter is sure in a groove and Rogers was the real savior of the game. Really hate to see Helton in this state. Did you see the post game interview? He was embarrassed and looked disgusted with himself. The day off is really needed. Cards will be just as tough and then the Padres. Tough way to close out the first half. At least we’re at home for the duration.
That was… exhausting. Glad we took 3/4 from those guys.. we needed it. We had a lot of trouble with them last year, and hopefully we’re getting that (pardon the pun) giant monkey off our back.
Read an interesting article on Fox sports by Mr. Ringolsby about the All-Star voting. How is Olivo not in this game? Much less, why is he not on the final spot ballot? It’s almost embarrassing to see as a baseball fan.
Hammel was really great today for sure. As I recall SF only had something serious going that one (8th) inning. His pitch count was around 100 and he was lights out in the 7th, so I understand leaving him in there. The Rox played better overall except for poor defense especially in the 8th and inability to get a hit with risp. The Rox wanted this game more, and it would have been a crime if they had lost.
I have been a big critic of the lack of fighting spirit this year. The positive for me was that today the Rockies fought and attacked every one of those late innings. They just could not execute once the table was set. But there were a lot of good AB working counts and drawing walks and methodically using up the SF pen.
Tough not seeing the games (in DC with Mom and Sis), so I am relying on sites like this for recaps and opinions. As always you all give great insight.
Boy, was I wrong about Dex. Don’t know what happened in the Springs but whoever helped him straighten his swing out deserves a raise.
Sorry to hear about Todd’s continuing struggles. Is it the back?
Is Stewart injured, or just needing a break?
Great to see Rogers be that effective. He does have a live arm, just needs to keep it under control which he seems to have done yesterday.
Going to be some interesting decisions coming up this week. Is DLR pitching Wed or Thurs?
For my money, Corpas needs to be sent down when Buch comes back, but not sure what to do with the extra starter. It may mean Rogers goes back down to make room for Cook or Chacin in the BP, but I think Chacin has way too much upside.
Hope you all had a good 4th (I was in Geetysburg for the re-enactment).
Go Rox, keep up the pressure, and maybe the Pads and Dodgers fade a little.
Stewart was HBP on Saturday night and had a large elbow contusion on Sunday; so large that he was not available on 7/4.
I’m guessing Corpas will somehow be put on the DL when Taylor comes back. And when DLR makes it back (and it may be a little later than hoped after his last start…), Flores is sent to the Springs and Chacin moves to the bullpen. Now that would be a formidable bullpen.
Street, Betancourt, Beimel, Belisle, Rogers, Chacin, Taylor.
Not sure about sending Flores down. He is a LHP and has been decent, although he does better in situational matchups than having to pitch a full inning. I guess you just go with the best 7 guys and neither Corpas or Flores fit that spot. By the end of the all-star break you possibly have a rotation of:
U, Hammel, DLR, Francis, Cook.
Bullpen of: Street, Betancourt, Belisle, Beimel, Buchholz, Rogers, Chacin.
Problem with that is both Rogers and Chacin are starters. I can see having one of them doing long relief, but not both so I guess Flores stays for now. One of them probably goes back down to CS and is ready in case DLR struggles. Either way, they are both up in Sept.
I can’t see the Rockies keeping both Helton and Giambi around much longer. Obviously, Todd isn’t going anywhere other than the DL. But, if he stays around, then Giambi probably goes. Smith is the primary LF pinchhitter when he is not starting. I understand keeping guys like Giambi around for their experience and clubhouse presence, but the Rockies can’t take up two spots with LH first basemen who are on the downside of their career. I would rather see a Jay Payton or Matt Miller up. You can use Mora as your back-up 1B or even Hawpe.
Helton needs to go onto the DL, Eldred can come up and play, Mora needs to be considered for release unless Stewart is not able to play in next six games. Giambi should play against all righties and hug the line on defense at all times. He has power still in his bat and is seeing the ball well right now. He stays.
As for other options, I like Payton’s bat off the bench, but don’t think he is more than a September call up unless have injuries, Fowler’s series was incredible and I am gladly eating words on seeing him perform so well.
Pitching wise, DLR maybe needs another week to ready his arm, maybe not, but since they have today off, more time to mull over and see if Rogers is able to bounce back and pitch wednesday as needed. I think it depends on how many innings Francis is able to go tomorrow that will determine need for bullpen use the rest of the week and for how the moves will shake out.
I bet Chacin gets sent down while Rogers stays. Rogers has pitched out of the bullpen some this year whereas Chacin has pretty much always been a starter. I just think they won’t want to risk messing him up by having him sit in the bullpen. Plus, hasn’t his issue been fastball command? Certainly not to the degree of Morales, but when he’s ineffective, it’s because he’s not throwing strikes with his fastball. That might be a problem coming out of the bullpen to face a couple of guys. Plus, if he goes to the Springs, he can start regularly and be ready in case another starter is needed down the line.
Also, why didn’t Smith try and run over the catcher when he was thrown out at the plate? The game’s on the line! I was disappointed in that. He didn’t even try a hook slide.
Wayne, how was Gettysburg on the Fourth? I bet it was awesome!
Jim Tracy, if you are reading, I propose that the Rockies spend their day off working on their on-field communication. Yesterday we had Mora and Iannetta call each other off a foul pop-up in that disastrous 8th inning. That batter eventually walked and scored the tying run. This is a repeat of the Stewart/Olivo collision last week on a similar pop foul. Yesterday we also has a collision between Herrera and Smith in short RF. Fortunately Herrera held on to that one. With all these like-up changes, the defense is literally dropping the ball and that needs to be cleaned up immediately.
I don’t understand what Jim Tracy is thinking in RF. I can understand starting Spilly there, but when Smith came in he should have moved Cargo to RF and Smith to LF. Left is Smith’s natural position, and the other day I produced some stats to demonstrate that he is more than up to that job. Yesterday he had the bad read that resulted in a lead-off triple that should have been a single. There was also the collision I just mentioned. And does Smith have the arm to play RF? I think Cargo has the better arm so you have to put him in RF.
BTW, Dex was awesome in CF!
Adam, Gettysburg was hot (101 degrees) but awesome in its July 4th jubilation. The re-enactment we saw was of Pickett’s Charge and while somewhat slow, was done expertly. My hats are off to all re-enactors and staff that put together a very good presentation. There must have been upwards of 10,000 people at the show. Anyplace historical is a great celebration to this great country of ours. Hope you all enjoyed yours as much as I did mine. Anytime we celebrate America is a good time. Thanks for asking.
I was out of town all weekend and missed the entire series other than listing to the game starting in 9th on the radio and then watching 3 innings or so at the end. Can’t believe they had so many chances. But a win is a win is a win. And good teams find ways to win these kind of games.
They have to do something with the two old guys at first and Mora. Todd can still play “D” with the best of them, but his hitting has slacked off something terrible. He finally got the job done yesterday but he sure looked bad on the double play (saw the replay) and when he struck out. Goodman kept saying that Helton hits Wilson and Mota well. that was the old Todd, not the Old Todd. And he used to have a great eye at the plate. Not so great anymore. Trouble is Giambi is not a good fielder and Mora is worse. Frankly they should have put Todd on the DL a week ago and brought somebody up. They have to keep Mora until Tulo and/or EY2 come back or they have to go get a back up middle infielder. Mora is a decent 3rd baseman but can’t play the other positions. But there is now way he should be your clean-up hitter.
They’ve been playing with fire at first all year and it’s starting to show. Like Miketober I was wondering why Smith was in right instead of Cargo. Cargo has a great arm and is the 2nd best outfielder on the team. He should be in right when Dex is in center. I know that left field is so vast at Coors that sometimes you want a little more speed there. But you have to put your best arm there.
I’ll throw my hat into the pitching staff speculation.
ASSUMING DLR and Bucholtz are ready to go and no one else needs major work.
Starting 5:
Ubaldo
Cook
Hammell
Chacin
DLR
Bullpen:
Francis (long relief as well as emergency starter)
Bucholtz
Belisle
Beimel
Betancourt
Street
Flores
Despite the great game last night Rogers goes down because he already spent an option this year. He’ll be told that he can expect to be with the club in September.
^^^Obviously Corpas is the odd man out as he deserves to be right now.
Either Chacin or Corpas goes down when DLR comes back. Which might be after the break, not before, as it seems to me that Chacin is really starting to come on. Flores stays because he’s a lefty reliever, no way Francis goes into the bullpen, and was Rogers electric or what? He was nearly unhittable. Throwing gas and painting the corners, what a game he had. And Dexter is gripping and ripping isn’t he? 4 triples in the series? Awesome!