Third straight loss sends Rockies to season low point
The Colorado Rockies produced just five hits Monday while dropping the first of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-5, and dropping seven games under .500, their lowest point of the season.
Three of the hits came off Dodgers rookie starter Rubby De La Rosa, all in the second inning on a successive singles by Chris Iannetta, Juan Nicasio and Dexter Fowler to score the game’s first run and the Rockies’ only run until the ninth inning. De La Rosa also scattered four walks without any damage in his six innings.
While De La Rosa was easing through his game, Rockies rookie Nicasio struggled again on the road. Nicasio, who entered the game 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in four road starts against 4-0 and 1.58 at home, was roughed in the second and sixth innings. In the second, back-to-back doubles were followed by a two-run home run from Andre Ethier that gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. In the sixth, a double and a two-out RBI single produced two more runs and chased Nicasio from the game having allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings.
Esmil Rogers made his first appearance out of the bullpen after returning from the disabled list earlier in the day and allowed three crucial runs on four hits and two walks in the in the eighth inning. The extra runs put the Rockies in an 8-1 hole and gave the Dodgers much-needed cushion when their bullpen began to unravel in the ninth.
Dodgers relievers Hong-Chih Kuo and Mike MacDougal combined to give up four runs on two hits, four walks and an error while recording just one out on an Ian Stewart groundout. The Rockies pulled to within 8-5, scoring one run each on Stewart’s groundout, a Fowler single, a Dodgers error on a Jason Giambi groundball and a bases-loaded walk to Todd Helton. Following the walk to Helton, which would have tied the game if not for the three runs allowed in the eighth, the Dodgers turned to closer Javy Guerrera, who retired Troy Tulowitzki on an infield pop with one pitch and Seth Smith on a grounder to second to end the game.
The rally may have cost the Rockies a key trade component in Giambi, who injured his left quadriceps running to first.
I think we can all agree that I am the optomistic fan on this web-site. After Sunday’s game (which I was forced by the laws of decency to turn off-midway) I was on the verge of giving up. Today…I am resigned. This team is bad right now…playing with no passion, no meaning…it stinks. The sum of its parts are now greater than its total output. This team (granted, with two of its best six or so player in CarGo and DLR) is simply unwatchable. Dear Rockies management, if you have managed to lose Doctor_Christopher, my guess is that you have managed to lose most of your fan base. You must act…and act now.
This team has to play to get back to .500 at this point (the playoffs would take an August and September that harkens back to 07 and 09). That is what I am cheering for, a team that is at least .500 and can build off of that for next year.
This team had ever reason…and not just my perspective but national and local sports reporters…to think a division title was at hand. This team has underperformed to the max. It happens. But when it happens major moves must follow to shake up the…cause of your implosion. I have been a defender of Jim Tracy, and like the man very well. But this team is not performing for him. Give him a nice position in the organization (I think he is a good baseball man) as you offered Hurdle. The decision you have before you is whether to call on a safe choise of a baseball insider to manage this team or going DBacks and calling on someone who was a player and serious about winning, a Castilla or Walker.
And it is time to deal excess talent and promote from within. Ellis was a nice trade. He has done well here. But its time to see guys like Nelson given a real shot (maybe Stewart as well under new leadership where he doesnt have to worry about being pulled after every bad AB). Its time to look at trading guys who can return talent. I love Chris Ianetta, but he is one of the best overall catchers (aside from that pesky batting average) inthe league. See what he can return. I remember back to a young IRod. He had good stats but his pitchers had horrible ERAs. Lets start the experiment with our young guts since our ERAs are going south quickly anyways. No training like the real game.
No…I am not giving up on this team. I love my Rox. But the current manifestation is not only not working but not watchable. This reminds me of the mid-2000s Broncos (I am football fan but do not claim to be as knowledgable as I am on baseball). They kept thinking a few tinkerings here and there would get them over the hump. In the end that strategy failed. Now they have to blow it up (for the most part) and start anew. The Rox with the three Os (please do not even think of getting rid of Tulo, CarGo and Ubaldo…who will have a good 2012 if he is healthy from the getgo). They have talent. But its time to really see wat the talent they have in the minors and the talent available to fill the gaps (in cheap FA) can get this team back to 90+ wins. Our Rox are both tantalizing close to being a real contender and yet so far away.
For this fan…the distance is painful. I will still watch on Root…but with more tears than joy.
I know there is a mutual hatred of Eric Young Jr.’s abilities on this board but wouldn’t you rather have someone athletic with on base potential and speed in the Rockies lineup then very average people like Wiggington, Spilly, and Smith? Just so frustrating that he is not given a chance to succeed. Earlier this season he was thrown into the leadoff spot while not maintaining a consitent defensive position during that stretch of 5 games. During that mini trial he batted .289 with 2 stolen bases and 3 rbi but then was religated to pinch hitting duty which he obviously struggles with. Tracy should bat him 2nd and keep him in a consitent defensive position until Cargo gets back. I don’t think it is too much to ask to have Spilly stay on the bench or rotate with Smith, Wiggs rotate with Stewart at third and have E.Y. play LF. GIVE HIM A SHOT!!!!
I have suggested a few times on this board that Smith should be dealt at the deadline. Last night is a good reason why, the guy will never step up and play above his very average ability. In fact, I would be willing to bet that these stats are going to bet his best of his career at this point of any future seasons. Deal him while he has value.
This team can’t handle it mentally. We should have known with the way they gave up at the end of last season. The team is mentally soft, and it sucks.
I feel the Rockies should hire Jerry Dipoto as our new GM.
If anyone wants to start a poll, put me down for: 74 and 88 in 2011
I hope that the injury to Giambi doesn’t hinder the ability to trade him. He’s one off our tradeable players.
Rocky, several weeks ago I claimed the 72-90 spot. We’ve come a long way from the “Can this team win 90 games” thread.
Favre, Smith has been in a slump lately (actually only the last week or so). Before that he has been one of the most consistent bats on the team, and is still 4th on the team in average (.288), 5th in slugging (.487), 1st in doubles, 2nd in triples, and 4th in RBI’s. If that is “very average ability” then how would you rate EYJ?
Blowing up this team—including GM and Mgr–won’t solve anything unless management takes a long, long, hard look at its organizational philosophy. While I believe the concept of building a team from within is legitimate, the Rox desire to have one big happy family has undermined their efforts. There’s too much love and not enough accountability throughout the system. One run games, high expectations, and playing on the road, all challenge the player’s comfort level and it shows. No matter how many battle-hard surrogates—e.g. Giambi, Wigginton, Ellis–they bring in, this aspect of the game doesn’t seem to rub off. The master plan has developed good players but too many with a false sense of entitlement. Instead of a clubhouse, they’ve got a good old boys’ club occupied by one too many selfish, pampered, and undisciplined players. The organization has brought it on itself, giving unlimited opportunities to their chosen few and dismissing grinders like Pierre, Miles, and Carroll who they believe are a dime a dozen. Time the organization realized that desire and true grit are essential qualities.
I stated weeks ago it was hard to remain emotionally dedicated to this team this year. It’s only gotten harder. You would think that ownership/management/players would want us fans to be emotionally involved. But I’m not seeing that effort from any of the three. Please give us some reasons to stay involved.
Doc, I agree 100% about the “grinders”. The Rockies fall in love with people with glitzy potential to hit 450 ft home runs like Ian Stewart and Chris Iannetta, but the players that come to the park day in and day out and get the tough hits when the game is on the line, don’t get the time of day from this organization.
During that 2007 play in game can anyone say there was a better player to be up at the plate during that time than Jamie Carroll? Very few players on the current Rockies team would have gotten the ball out of the infield on that play.
Wow Doc, great post!
Hey Doc don’t forget Jake Westbrook. Looks like our starting pitching has gone “south”. If i said it once I’ve said it a million times, you build winners through the farm system and when was the last time this farm systme produced winners.
Instead of blaming individual players like we have on previous posts we must look at the problem as a team. Nearly everyone on this team, both hitting and pitching, (except for Helton) has regressed. Even our best players; Tulo, Cargo, and Jiminez, have regressed. In my eyes a team wide regression should be attributed to the coaching. Tracy may be a nice guy but he does not belong as a manager. Get rid of Tracy, get rid of the problem. We may still have a hot streak in this team, but it will not come under Jim Tracy. Some players, like Ian Stewart, need a chance under a new manager as stated by Doc. As long as Tracy is manager, and this is only my opinion, the team will continue to put up zero effort. I do not want to see this the rest of the season nor do I want to see it continue into next season before management realizes this. He must be let go asap.
Doc,
totally agree with your post! If you all watched ESPN Pirates vs. Braves, Mike McKenry looks to be grinding his way into a perminant role on the Pirates. All night he blocked balls, threw people out, and even added a HUGE rbi. The Pirates pitching has also dropped their ERA since he took over at catcher. I think Clint Hurdle is a grinder as well, and I definately miss him as the Rockies coach.
Also if you read the article in the Denver Post, Tulo is quoted as saying this regarding the high, first pitch fastball that he popped up with the bases loaded,”“I have hit that pitch out before. I took a whack at it and just missed,” Tulowitzki said.
Yeah, you have hit that pitch in a game while your team is up by 7 in the 8th inning!! In the spot that he was in last night, he needed to work the count. Tulo can talk about being a leader all he wants but that is not what leaders do and then what a leader would say about that situation!
This team has some real problems!! I am also beginning to have a hard time following this group. I have endured several losing Rockies seasons, however, I have never felt worse about the team and its future.
Tulo has definitely regressed in the leadership department. He has went from the grinder all about winning to the I’m the star and have to put up big numbers. Tulo needs a reality check and needs to get back to the way he played in 07.
Defensively Tulo is a star, and one of the best in the game. His defense is second to none right now in my opinion. But offensively the guy gives away AB’s left and right and is not a clutch hitter. Any big moment or big AB he has, he swings at the first pitch regardless of location.
Too bad the Rockies couldn’t take advantage of their opportunity to gain the city’s attention with the NFL lockout. They will always be in the shadow of the Broncos until they can start living up to their potential and not crumbling under the weight of lofty expectations. It seems that they only do well when there are no expectations whatsoever on the team (ie 2007 and 2009 because everyone thought that 2008 showed they were a fluke). Now I’m curious on what they do at the trade deadline.
I watched most of the early part of the game, then channel surfed and read a novel. Can only comment on the parts of the game that I saw. Tulo was patient enough in his first 3 at bats that he walked. From what I remember of the umpire, he was calling the high pitch a strike last night.
For all the problems on the team, let’s not bash one of our truly good players.
Frankly while most of the young players have been disappointments this is a hard enough game to play where the manager will stop playing you after a few bad games. It’s happened to Ianettaa and Stewart though out their careers. While most of us have formed our opinions of EY, Jr, Nelson, Fowler etc., I don’t think any of them have really gotten a fair shake. We are not going anywhere this season, play those guys everyday, don’t jerk them out of the lineup when they have a bad game or two. If Jim Tracy was managing the Giants in 1951 he would have never given Willie Mays a fair shake. (That’s probably and unfair statement because he did keep playing Cargo two years ago when many of us were saying he couldn’t play).
But the fact is that the Rockies aren’t going to the playoffs this year. DOD and Tracy should stop drinking the purple kool-aid and waken to the fact that the future of the Rockies is not Wigginton, Ellis, Spillbourghs. Nor Betancourt, Giambi and probably not Huston Street. Trade them for prospects and give our younger players a good two month look see.
Frankly some of those guys probably can’t cut it, but perhaps some can. I like both Iannetta and Smith and I think both have proved they can play in the majors but those two guys (and Street) can probably bring you good prospects and we should have players who can replace them. If the Rockies think that Chris and Smith are guys that they can build around then keep them. Smith worries me a little because he faded in the 2nd half last year as well and I’m not buying Tracy’s suggestion that his bad D this week is due to an injury because defense has never been his strong suit.
Basically I agree with Doc. Don’t even think of trading the 3 O’s. And I would dump the whole coaching staff and start over.
Tulo has been a major dis-appointment this year. Swinging from his heels, trying to be a walking highlight reel.
What kind of leadership, and example is that?
btw… the core issue with this team is DOD. Sorry, that’s just my opinion.
All good arguments and points well made and well taken. That is why I read this site everyday.
However… I love the Rox but… our farm does not seemingly have much potential currently. As much as it pains me – bc he is an ace we have NEVER had and a good dude – but I think now we must trade Ubaldo to help fill our numerous holes. Then JT goes. He is horrible IMO.
Point is – without a huge trade and shake-up what can we fans point to and hope for (bc this year is o-v-e-r)? What do we pin our hopes on? Wheeler. Ok. Rosario. Hopefully/Maybe. Pacheco? What else? Who else. Clearly not our drafting skills. This reality terrifies me. What the heck will I do next Winter – with a bleak future? As such, perhaps DOD needs to go with JT?
Not even August and this thing has crashed and burned like the Hidenburg. Damn
EZW, exactly what I have said before. The Rockies need to go into semi-rebuilding phase. Keep a core of Tulo, Cargo, Helton, Blackmon, Fowler, Chacin, Nicasio, DLR, Brothers, Belisle, and Reynolds. Fill the roster with guys like Wheeler, Rosario, Paulsen, Pacheco, Freidreich, Weathers, and the players they get from trading Street, Betancourt, Smith, Ianetta, etc. Aim to finish .500 this year, stay in the race until the last month next year, and go for it in 2013. I just don’t get how people can defend keeping Giambi, EY, Stewart, and Ianetta. Some folks feel like Ianetta is actually a great catcher and in the Top 10 in the league. I think I could find at least 20 other catchers either in the majors now or in the minors who are better. Heck, when you read about the rumors regading trading Ubaldo the top player mentioned getting back is a catcher. I would also keep Ellis as I think he is a bulldog/Jamey Carroll type. I think Hammel is a decent #5 starter. And, I think Lindstrom is good as a 7th inning guy.
I hate to say this, but I am already looking toward spring training. So much talent, so much hope, all wasted. Thank you Todd Helton, for showing us what a team player is all about. Last year I made the comment that the Rockies played better when Tulo was out. I just figured it had to do with “stepping up”. Now I wonder what is REALLY going on with this team.
I guess I’m a little confused about the sudden turn of thinking. I’m thinking back to the off season and the stories and list(s) that were posted here about the prospects and rankings. My impression was EVERYONE was happy and touting the guys coming up. Why the change of heart?
Everyone will not make it to the big league level that was on the list. That’s a given. Some though will be impact players and make it.
I certainly don’t believe the farm system is lacking potential.
Mike, for me, the farm seemed strong when I thought they only needed a second baseman, a backup catcher, a 1B and 1 outfielder to contend for years to come. But the inability for Stewart, Iannetta, and Fowler to really step up to the levels I had hoped for makes that farm need a 3B, starting C and another OF. Thats too much for this system to make up.
I’m not even going to touch on the pitching.
I started this forum with my negative talk. For those who say the mentality of how to be build this team from within with athletes of good character worked from 07 to 09. It has not worked from Sept 10 to July 11. I still think the general outline of this team is the right one…especially for a mid-market team that has to survive by fielding a good farm team with solid guys who play hard, work together as a team, and are fan favs.
But at this point the failure of so many people – Stewart, Ubaldo, CarGo in April-May, Tulo May-July, and the rest – have made the strategy a failure.
I say Tulo needs to be reminded of his role. CarGo needs to get healthy and stay firm (he is a second half guy and if this injury had not happened, maybe he would have had a great 2nd half). If Ubaldo brings a Hershal Walker type deal, then great, otherwise he is the staff ace. After that, we have to re-stock adn see if 2012 will be better.
BTW, I am picking, after the trading deadline trades and the waiver-wire trades, a strong finish to the team under the leadership of a new manager and a team that closes well to finish 85-77, and tied for 2nd place.
Rockies owners and management…your most loyal and committed fanbase is bailing because this team is going backwards. Please act and act soon.