Saturday, June 5, 2010

Rock Solid Recrap: Ugh

This is why I cringe anytime I read a comment saying this series or that series is a cakewalk. There are no cakewalks in baseball. There are series that appear more winnable than others, but there are no cakewalks.

Jim Tracy assured us before Friday's game that he wouldn't allow his team to overlook Arizona. I'm not saying they have, but they're damn sure learning the lesson of why you can't fail to respect every team in MLB.

Now the D-Backs head in to Sunday looking to sweep the Rockies.

Those who are thinking that's not possible with Ubaldo Jimenez pitching should reread the first two paragraphs again several times.

D-Backs 4, Rockies 3

Losing Player: Aaron Cook

But you're saying Aaron Cook didn't pitch tonight. That's correct.

He also didn't pitch well enough or long enough last night. His early exit led to Jim Tracy wearing out his bullpen, which led to Jim Tracy sticking with Jhoulys Chacin about 30 pitches too long tonight.

Lineup Card: Rockies vs. D-Backs

Rockies Lineup (28-26)

  • CF Gonzalez
  • LF Spilborghs
  • 1B Giambi
  • SS Tulowitzki
  • RF Hawpe 
  • 3B Mora
  • C  Iannetta
  • 2B Barmes 
  • P   Chacin
Diamondbacks Lineup (21-34)
  • 2B Johnson
  • RF Upton
  • SS Drew
  • 1B LaRoche 
  • 3B Reynolds
  • CF Young
  • LF Jackson
  • C  Snyder
  • P  Willis

Rock Solid Recrap: Role Reversal

Wasn't the Arizona bullpen supposed to be the implosion waiting to happen?

Wasn't the Colorado bullpen supposed to come right in and lock things down for Aaron Cook when he exited with a three run lead?

That's not how things played out tonight, and for second time this season, Arizona steals a win from the Rockies they had no business stealing.

Diamondbacks 7, Rockies 6

Arizona Bullpen -- 3 IP, 1 BB, 6 K

Colorado Bullpen -- 3 1/3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

That's a hideous breakdown if you're a Rockies supporter.. or their pitching coach.

The only guy who came in and did his job was Rafael Betancourt. Daley, Beimel, Belisle, Flores,and Corpas all struggled to varying degrees, with Corpas ultimately blowing the save and taking the loss.

Not. Pretty.