By Zach Cohn
The Colorado Rockies are in a Colorado valley right now, losing six out of their last seven games, and seven of their last ten.
Although there are always many reasons that contribute to losing, the Rockies woeful bullpen of late is the number one culprit. The offense is also mired in a curious funk, but the bullpen has been downright atrocious.
If you take a closer look at the stat lines from the last week, the losing pitchers are mostly relievers. This means the Rockies are relinquishing games in the waning moments, where losses seem to sting even more.
(AP/Ross D. Franklin)
And it’s not just one guy blowing it for the Rockies, although poor Felipe Paulino has been skewered during this losing skid, picking up three losses in his last three appearances. There are several other Rockies relievers that have squandered could-be victories in the last week.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the Rockies’ recent relief struggles:
Tuesday, May 3rd, Rockies vs. Diamondbacks – After receiving a strong pitching performance from starter Jorge De La Rosa, the Rockies are tied with the D-backs 3 – 3 in the 8th. Paulino enters the game, throws three straight balls, and then Justin Upton, with the green light, hits a dead red fastball to right field to put the D-backs up. Rox lose 4-3.
Thursday, May 5th, Rockies vs. Diamondbacks – The Rockies are up 2-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. Jason Hammel delivered seven innings of shutout baseball, and Rafael Betancourt pitched a solid 8th. The perfect opportunity for Huston Street to come in and keep his save streak alive, right? Wrong. Street doesn’t bring his A-game, gives up two 400-foot solo bombs, and blows his first save of the year, and the Rockies go on to lose in the 11th. Reliever Matt Belisle takes the loss, but Street deserves the majority of the blame.
Friday, May 6th, Rockies vs. Giants – Ubaldo Jimenez has his first dominant performance of the year, and the Rockies are leading 3-1 going into the 8th. Betancourt, who has pitched well all year, takes his turn to squander a game. He gives up a single, and then two doubles, and the two run lead quickly evaporates. Paulino enters to pitch the 9th, promptly gives up a double and a game winning single. Giants walk off, win 4 – 3.
Saturday, May 7th, Rockies vs. Giants – Another pitcher’s duel takes the ball game into a 2-2 tie into the bottom of the 9th. If the Rockies are going to win this game, they need their bullpen to come up big. Not going to happen. Paulino starts the 9th and gives up two immediate hits. Tracy pulls him for Franklin Morales. Morales arrives and quickly throws a wild pitch to advance the runners. Then he gives up a sacrifice fly to lose the game 3 – 2. Third straight walk-off loss for the Rockies, who go on to lose five of six on the road trip. Brutal.
These were all crucial division games. They were all on the road. And they all were very winnable. There are nine innings in a major league baseball game for a reason, and the Rockies continue to pitch themselves out of ballgames with their recent shaky bullpen.
As frustrating as this road trip was, the Rockies are still in first place in the NL West, but their comfortable cushion has been cut to only one game.
Rockies country currently finds itself in a state of grief, which begs the question, where’s the relief?
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11 comments
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Zach
May 9, 2011 at 7:12 AM (UTC -6)
Great article, I have been asking myself the same questions. The only good thing about this slump is that it is happening in May, and not in September. Something needs to be done to wake up our bats. I don’t see how it is possible for the whole team to be slumping unless someone is messing around with their swings too much. I will continue to watch every game though on channel 414 Root Sports on DISH Network in HD. I work at DISH and DISH offers more than 200 national HD channels, that is more than any other provider. We will ride this slump out and get our first NL West title!
Zach Cohn
May 9, 2011 at 9:25 AM (UTC -6)
Good call Zach. Better to slump now than in September!
don quixote
May 9, 2011 at 3:41 PM (UTC -6)
That’s what happens when you come to our park, boys.
Don’t be thinking you’ll be any good this year. The only REAL teams you’ve played have been the Giants, who continue to blow you out in COL and walk off on you in SF.
I especially love Tulowitski comment: “We expect the Giants be be right behind us all year.” How is Tulo doing, anyhow? hahahaha
Mick
May 9, 2011 at 9:04 AM (UTC -6)
The simple fact of the matter is that regardless of the month, you simply cannot get swept on the road inside your own division. Even though the Giants are better as of late, you cannot roll into SF thinking that they will lay down and give you the series. Also, bullpens are going to go through weeks when they flat suck, but you offense cannot go two weeks hitting below the Mendoza line. Oh, and Stewart needs to determine whether he will be pro hitter, or not because this team cannot wait for him any longer!
Zach Cohn
May 9, 2011 at 9:36 AM (UTC -6)
I agree completely Mick. The offense has been just as bad as the bullpen, if not worse.
Logan Burdine
May 9, 2011 at 9:40 AM (UTC -6)
Mick, I agree, it’s frustrating to see them go through the exact same struggles they did last season. Typically, I’m not one to call for the head of the hitting coach, but it doesn’t seem like Carney Lansford has been able to make much difference. Very disappointing road trip. All the questions that were being asked in the off-season are still prominent issues that this team faces. They can’t hit, especially on the road.
Dennis Koziel
May 9, 2011 at 3:10 PM (UTC -6)
All the Rocks did in the off-season is pick up a few utility infielders. They are seeing the results.
Logan Burdine
May 9, 2011 at 3:40 PM (UTC -6)
Yeah, they have to be kicking themselves a little for passing on Berkman. Well, I guess that’s assuming they actually had a shot at him. At the time I didn’t think it was possible for him to play outfield, but, with the way he’s swinging the stick, I don’t really care what his defense is like. Besides, he’s probably still better than Wiggy in the outfield.
don quixote
May 9, 2011 at 3:37 PM (UTC -6)
So, the Giants won’t be contenders, eh? Just 6 months after winning a World Series, they won’t contend, but the Rockies, who have iffy pitching all around, and Tulowitski as the only offense threat, will?
Gonzalez’ 2010 was a fluke, plain and simple. The books out on that hacker now- pitchers know how to get him out and he can’t adjust back.
Oh, how nice it was to SWEEP THE ROCKIES without even needing our best pitchers to do it. pffft. Giants own you dogs this year.
don quixote
May 9, 2011 at 3:49 PM (UTC -6)
well, well, Rockies. How nice of you to try. Thanks for playing!!
Spamp
May 10, 2011 at 8:55 PM (UTC -6)
I love Tracey, but he tends to pamper starting pitchers. I like what’s happening tonight, with Hammel staying in the game through the 7th even though we’re losing.
It’s hard to argue with the Man from La Mancha; the Giants kicked our butts, plain and simple. The Rox are head cases when it comes to the West, no doubt about it. However, San Fran is riding high on its slaying of windmills this November past (as it should be, and I love it). But, we’ll see what their longevity is like come July. Not to worry, both Tulo and Cargo will be stars come the midsummer classic.
Meanwhile, the Rox need to take advantage of this soft schedule and beat the teams we should beat.
Good article Zach…I think our relief team will be most effective when least counted upon.
Colorado too inconsistent to contend: Two killer “B”s stinging Rockies | Blake Street Bulletin
May 9, 2011 at 3:22 PM (UTC -6)
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