Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds Tid Bits
Colorado Rockies at Cincinnati Reds
July 16-18, Great America Ballpark
Past History
Rockies are 71-71 all-time against Reds, sixth best record against an NL opponent, 28-43 in Cincinnati but are 10-12 at Great America Ballpark, third best record in a current NL park, and have won eight of nine games in Cincinnati the last three seasons, including three-game sweeps in 2008 and 2009.
Rockies are playing Reds for the first time this year. That leaves Pittsburgh as the only NL team the Rockies have not faced this season. Pirates come to Coors Field for a three-game series July 26-28, opening the next home stand.
Rockies in current NL parks
Ballpark W L Pct.
Nationals Park 8 5 .615
Petco Park 32 29 .525
Great Am Bpark 10 12 .455
Rockies vs. NL teams all games
Team W L Pct.
Washington 85 59 .590
San Diego 145 134 .520
Pittsburgh 75 70 .517
St. Louis 79 74 .516
Florida 74 72 .507
Cincinnati 71 71 .500
On the Road
Rockies not only open the post-All-Star portion of the scheduled with a three city, 11-game trip (three in Cincnnati and four each in Florida and Philadelphia), but after coming home for eight games they are back on the road for another seven game trip (four at Pittsburgh, three at the Mets). That’s 18 of their next 26 games on the road.
Lately
Reds were swept in four-game series at Philadelphia last weekend, but still went into the All-Star Break with a one-game lead in NL Central on St. Louis. Reds were held scoreless in final 21 innings of the series.
Reds have split their last 14 games. Francisco Cordero has blown six saves this season, two more than last year. He has a 4.20 ERA compared to last year’s 2.16.
Cincinnati and Yankees lead the majors with 25 come-from-behind victories. Cincinnati leads majors with seven extra-inning victories. Cincinnati is secondin the majors with 15 wins in the last a-bat, one shy of Atlanta.
Aging
Reds are relying on an elderly nucleus.
Closer Francisco Cordero is 35 and left-handed setup man Arthur Rhodes is 40, but coming off first All-Star appearances. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera and third baseman Scott Rolen are both 35. Catcher Ramon Herandnez is 34.
No Deal
Reds hold an $11 million option on RHP Bronson Arroyo. He said he would like to stay with Reds, but if they want to do an extension he’s not going to discount next year’s salary. He remembers signing a three-year, $11.25 million with Boston in January of 2006 and being traded to Cincinnati in March of 2006.
“I gave a team a discount one time and they burned me,’’ he said.
Century Club
Reds closer Francisco Cordero is one of 10 pitchers with at least 100 saves in both the NL and AL.
Pitcher AL NL
Lee Smith 131 347
Jeff Reardon 194 173
Randy Myers 104 243
Rollie Fingers 233 108
John Wetteland 224 106
Jose Mesa 138 183
Goose Gossage 184 126
Doug Jones 200 103
Francisco Cordero 117 157
Bob Wickman 151 116
Ugeth Urbina 105 132
Ailing
Six Reds spent the All-Star Break on the disabled list:
RHP Edinson Volquez (right elbow surgery)
OF Chris Dickerson (right wrist)
RHP Homer Bailey (right shoulder)
RHP Mike Lincoln (right lat strain)
RHP Aaron Harang (right elbow)
C Ramon Hernandez (left knee)
Statsing Up
Cincinnati leads NL in runs (437) and average (.272) and is second in home runs (108). Milwaukee leads NL with 110 home runs. Rockies are second in NL in runs (430) and average (.269) and is fourth in home runs with 95.
Rockies rank ninth in NL with a 4.05 ERA, starters are 10th at 4.12 and relievers are ninth at 3.90. Reds are 11th in NL with 4.19 ERA, starts are ninth at 4.09 and bullpen is 12th at 4.45.
Reds-Rockies Ties
Rockies manager Jim Tracy is a native of nearby Hamilton, Ohio, and went to college at Marietta (Ohio) College. He managed Double-A Chattanooga in the reds system from 1989-91.
Bench coach Tommy Runnells’ big-league career consistent of 40 games with the Reds in 1985 and 1986. He hit .249.
Reds general maqnager Walt Jocketty was the assistant general manager of the Rockies in 1993-94.
There have been 64 players wear both the Reds and Rockies uniform.
Rockies reliever Matt Belisle made his big-league debut with Cincinnati (although he originally signed with Atlanta and was dealt to the Reds), and pitched for the Reds from 2003-08.
Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs made his big-league debut July 16, 2005 at Cincinnati, playing right field. He went 2-for-4 with a sixth-inning single off Todd Coffey in the sixth inning his first big-league hit.
Record Watch
Rockies have won nine in a row vs. Cincinnati, which equals record set against Washington in 2008-09.
Rockies have won six in a row at Cincinnati, which equals record set in Los Angeles Aug. 9, 1993-June 18, 1994, and equaled at Washington in 2008-09.
Rockies 16 runs at Cincinnati on Aug. 10, 2001, equaling team record on the road set in Atlanta on Aug. 12, 1995, and also equaled at Pittsburgh on Aug. 3, 20-03.
Reds equaled franchise records with 28 hits and 24 runs at Colorado on May 19, 1999. Tied records set May 13, 1902 vs. Philadelphia. The 28 hits are most Rockies have allowed in a series.
Rockies have swept eight series from Reds, three in Cincinnati.
Reds have swept seven series from Rockies, five in Cincinnati.
Tracy, all things considered, just happy the Rox don’t have to make a major 2nd half push this year. Being only two behind the Padres they are in prime position to take over the division as so many expected them to do. Reds vs Rockies should be another good series.
Domenick
Tracy, I’m not sure if this was mentioned before on this site, however, I just noticed that Shane Lindsay is no longer with the Rockies organization. Was he claimed off of waivers from Cleveland? If so, what’s the scoop behind this? Thanks!