When three homeruns aren’t enough

Last night the Rockies lost their first game of the season in which they hit at least two homeruns.  The dingers by Seth Smith, Troy Tulowitzki, and Carlos Gonzalez were impressive shots, but, unfortunately, no one was on base for any of it.  Once again the Rockies failed to score a run without hitting the ball over the fence.  Even on a night when their all or nothing approach actually paid some dividends, they still couldn’t generate enough offense.  As I said yesterday, they must find other ways to move runners across the plate.

(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

This morning there is concern over Dexter Fowler.  After last night’s rain delay, Fowler returned to the batter’s box and promptly fouled a ball off his left knee/shin/thigh.  I couldn’t tell exactly where it hit, but he had to be helped off the field.  It sounds like he might be okay, but it didn’t look good.  Hopefully it’s just a day to day thing.

If Fowler’s injury is significant and he has to miss any time, the Rockies will have to make a move.  I’m concerned that they’ll make the wrong one.  First of all, if Fowler is out, CarGo has to play center.  If Tracy insists on leaving his best outfielder in left while they play someone else in center, my head might explode.  I understand his desire to make Gonzalez a full time left fielder, but, in that situation, leaving him there wouldn’t be best for the team.

The Rockies have several different options.  The first, and I think most likely, is to put Willy Taveras in center.  I’m sure Willy can still hold it down defensively, but he’s an offensive liability.  This is a guy that is hitting .250 in Colorado Springs.  That’s like hitting .175 anywhere else.  The second option would be to call up Charlie Blackmon, play him in left, and move CarGo to center.  To me, this is the best option.  Blackmon is ready to make his big league debut.  He’s fast and can hit.  The final option would be to use some combination of Alfredo Amezaga and whoever else they can find to play left.  Hopefully this is all speculation though.

Esmil Rogers will undergo an MRI today.  It sounds like he might have some rotator cuff damage.  Esmil’s poor performance and now this injury have opened the door for Aaron Cook.  Cookie should be back at the end of May.

David Schoenfield gives us a blow by blow of yesterday’s Halladay — Johnson matchup.  From what I saw, it was a great game.  Unfortunately, there were only about 2000 people there to watch.

Thomas Harding has a long list of Rockies’ notes.  He touches on Esmil Rogers, Dexter Fowler, Jose Lopez, and Clayton Mortensen.

Christina Kahrl discusses the incompetence of Jim Hendry and the Cubs.  This is always an enjoyable topic.

I think that is sufficient baseball talk.  Let’s finish up with some music.  For those familiar with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, you know Alex Ebert.  This song is from his recent solo effort, Alexander.  I can’t get it out of my head.