Braves’ second look at Nicasio proves costly for Rockies
A rough second trip through the Atlanta Braves batting order for Juan Nicasio doomed the Colorado Rockies, who concluded a four-game sweep by the Braves with a 6-3 loss.
Nicasio, coming off eight shutout innings in his previous start, retired the Braves in order in the first inning and pitched out of a jam in the second after a Jason Heyward double and two walks. But Nicasio, who struggled to command a secondary pitch, couldn’t escape the third inning and Braves hitters’ second look at him. Leadoff hitter Jordan Schafer started the inning with a ground-rule double. The double was followed by two singles, a Freeman home run, a double and a single before Nicasio recorded his first out of the inning by striking out David Ross. A walk to Nate McLouth ended Nicasio’s day after the first six hitters and seven of the first eight had reached base. Reliever Eric Stults faced two batters to get the final two outs of the five-run inning.
Nicasio was charged with five earned runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out four in 2 1/3 innings.
Stults managed to keep the Rockies in the game, allowing just one run on a Heyward solo home run in 3 1/3 innings. But Rockies hitters were unable to do take advantage of their few chances Braves starter Tim Hudson.
A Jason Giambi double in the first put the Rockies on top 1-0. The Rockies scored another with a pair of one-out singles in the third — one of them by Charlie Blackmon, who left the game with a fractured foot after sliding into third base — and a fielder’s choice on a nubber back to the pitcher by Giambi. But Mark Ellis hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Ellis again grounded out with the bases loaded, this time with two outs, in the fifth inning.
The Rockies had another shot in the eighth when three walks, a single and a wild pitch brought the Rockies to within 6-3 and loaded the bases with two outs for Ty Wigginton. But Wigginton struck out to end that threat. The Rockies left 10 runners on base in game after leaving nine on base in the third game of the series and 10 in the second game.
Time to plan funeral services in D.C.
At least we are good at loading the bases.
Getting close to the time to start tossing bodies overboard. Only question is which ones.
What’s the team batting with the bases loaded? .120 or something? That’s Uggla.
I’ll bet the Braves are drooling for the 4-game rematch in Denver a week from Monday.
If the rest of July continues to be a repeat of May, this team’s season is over, if not sooner. (1-6 after 7 games in May, 2-5 in July) Sad.
If they lose 3 to vastly improved Nats you can put the fork in them for this year.First year I,ve stopped caring and really hurts.Blackmon needed to go back down anyway,just too bad by injury.I think he is a keeper though,but not at leadoff.In the Wen.night game he swung at the first pitch at least 3 times-twice w/a runner on first.Not ready for prime time yet.The only one we haven’t tryed is Willy T.Nicasio has great potential,but definately a year away.Reynolds is at least as good as Cook now,and maybe Hammels too-bring him back.Play to stay for everyone but Helton,Tulo,Cargo.&Ubaldo.Next year maybe a rebuilding year,as much as it pains me to say it.
Why not Willy Tavares? He can hit, he can run, he can bunt, he can field, and maybe he can pitch!
It is really strange that Taveras is still waiting in C.S.
oh gawd the rockies are so awful, if they win one in Washington I think they’ll be lucky
The Rockies are going through a really rough stretch of injuries and underperformance. I have no doubt they’ll play much better after the All-Star break. The team is definitely better than what we’ve seen the last week.
Unfortunately, being so many games out means they’ll have to play out of their minds just to get back into the race. Just can’t dig yourself such a big hole…
Jon
Taveras isn’t on the 40-man roster, so the only way he makes it to Coors is if another outfielder goes down for at least a month or two, and is put on the 60-day DL.
Jon
I can count the number of Rockies that have earned their paychecks this year on one hand. Every team has a few players struggling here and there throughout the year but when 80-90% of the players grossly underachieves expectations and/or average past performance stats then it’s time to let them know how the fans feel……………………. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am especially ticked at the SP. Not ONE of those bums has stepped up and become a leader and set an example on how to a game should be pitched even when you don’t have your best stuff (as least shame on the veterans, U, Cook and Hammel).
Don’t agree? Watch one of their games and after any sign of adversity these guys fold and you can see the look of defeat in their eyes and their mannerisms. Players on playoff type teams have belief individually and in each other and play through all the ups and downs of a long season. The ROX have 9 individuals out their who don’t believe in one another.
Ahhhh…I feel better after my rant!