Colorado Rockies: Random Thoughts on a Wednesday
The Colorado Rockies suffered another embarrassing loss last night, getting pounded by the San Francisco Giants by a score of 12-3. Last night’s loss was the Rockies eighth-straight loss on the road, and fifth straight loss overall. Here are some random thoughts about the state of the team.
The Rockies players haven’t quit, but…
The Rockies have been embarrassed in their last few games, and they haven’t been close in the majority of them. Since the win against the St. Louis Cardinals a week ago, the team has been outscored 42-13.
Hence, things have been quite ugly. There was the opportunity to make some noise against probable playoff teams, and whilst the Rockies won the series against the Giants in the first week of the month, the start to this series and the sweep versus the Dodgers was like watching David vs. Goliath.
Furthermore, the pitching from the bullpen has continued to leak runs like a sieve. It doesn’t matter who is put out there, that man allows runs. Last night it was Justin Miller‘s turn – 2/3 of an inning, four hits, five earned runs, a walk and a home run given up. Indeed, as Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post noted, Rockies pitchers have allowed two or more homers in seven out of eight of these road losses.
Pathetic.
A long season is finally nearing the end, and the team has won 73 games at this point which is an improvement over the last couple of years. Perhaps they are “tired” as Nolan Arenado told Saunders. However playing like this doesn’t give the fan much hope for 2017, especially at the business end of next season.
Marquez couldn’t repeat his magic
German Marquez had a terrific starting debut versus the Cards. I was hoping for a repeat performance last night, mainly with the location of the game and the general light-hitting of the Giants.
But last night was not meant to be. Marquez had nowhere near the command he had in his first start. His curveball was not breaking as much and he couldn’t command the strike zone with his fastball. He was not helped by the tiny strike zone of the home-plate umpire, who wouldn’t give him a strike on a ball touching the zone (this happened twice in the first inning).
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As a result, he was completely blown away as the game wore on. His first four innings were OK (just two earned runs allowed) but in the fifth he fell apart giving up back-to-back homers to Buster Posey and Hunter Pence, and his pitches were sitting in the middle of the plate.
So, his line ended at 4 1/3 innings pitched, 12 hits, six earned runs, zero walks and two strikeouts. Marquez will be better off for the experience. He would have learned a lot in last night’s performance. Provided last night’s loss doesn’t shake his confidence (which he said after the game he felt comfortable), he will be fine.
The hitters have gone MIA
When the Rockies faced Matt Moore back on September 5, they shelled him for six earned runs and two homers in less than three innings.
Last night was a different story, as Moore struck out 11 Rockies and only allowed one earned run on six hits.
Moore pitched much more effectively last night, and he basically owned the hitters. For a team that leads the National League in hitting (as a team .274), the hitters regularly have a difficult time adjusting to pitchers during a game.
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As a result, we see games like last night where the Rockies hitters just look helpless. I commend the opposing pitcher for pitching well and making the necessary adjustments. When hitters don’t make the same adjustments during the game, then it becomes difficult to watch.
Time and time again in 2016 Rockies hitters have not been able to make in-game adjustments when facing a commanding pitcher the second, third or fourth time through the lineup. Walt Weiss can tip his cap all he likes when the opposing pitcher outplays us, but at some point questions have to be asked as why the adjustments are not occurring. The hitters struck out 13 times last night, versus just three times for the Giants.
Tonight the team faces the Giants Jeff Samardzija (I hope I spelled it right) who is 5-5 in 13 starts at AT&T Park. The Rockies will have road warrior Tyler Chatwood who is 7-1 with a 1.88 ERA away from Coors Field. Let’s hope Chatwood continues his fine road form in tonight’s game. The team sure needs it!
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