The Rockies may have had their future ace on the mound, but you wouldn’t know it from the game highlights which were limited to Johnathan Herrera and the fact that the team didn’t commit an error. Other than that there was little to rejoice in Sundays performance, as the team sleepwalked through another Sunday.
While many a reporter might make an excuse for the line-up being filled with bench players, stating the late rain-soaked game the night before, those that follow the team closely will have no trouble recognizing the lack of starters as a continuing trend, disturbing in its consistency as well as troubling in its complete lack of effectiveness.
Pomeranz looked as uncomfortable on the mound as we’ve seen him, making over 30 pitches to get out of the first inning with a 2-0 deficit thanks to a Chris Young home run. His line showed his struggles: 4 1/3 innings, five runs, nine hits on 100 pitches. He didn’t get the benefit of some obvious strikes that were called balls, possibly the way they were received by Rosario, or maybe because he was new to The Show. Either way he struggled with command and keeping runners at their bases and left the game with bases loaded in the fifth with the team down 5-0.
The Rockies had a mini-rally in the eighth. After taking back two runs to bring the score to 5-2, Ramon Hernandez came to the plate with bases loaded and proceeded to ground out to first, ending any sort of momentum before it really started.
After the game Pomeranz offered this explanation as to his struggles:
Most of those hits — the home run the first inning — were fastballs away that were kind of coming back middle of the plate up…They weren’t down. They’re a good fast-ball hitting team, and when you’re missing down the middle [and] up, they’re going to hit it. I didn’t throw a lot of changeups today, so I didn’t have a good mix of three pitches…They weren’t swinging at my curveball. It was like they were sitting on it waiting for fastballs.
PICS FROM THE GAME THANKS TO EGOSSAGE
POST GAME POLL
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How about that Sparkplug
I respectfully disagree that the team “sleepwalked” thru another Sunday. I think we are becoming so jaded with all of the Sunday losses that we overlook the fact the Trevor Cahill pitched a decent game. 19 of his 22 outs were either a strike out or ground out. How many balls made it to the outfield? I think his sinker was working pretty darn well. If that had been Aaron Cook we would all be singing his praises and declaring it a great pitching performance.
We could debate position by position but really? Many on here think EY has been doing a decent job. Personally, I wouldn’t send him out to LF. Certainly Herrera did a great job spelling Scutaro. Colvin was in center for Dex. Giambi? This is a question mark for me. Catching? Rosario is billed as the future. When should he play? Not on Sunday’s? Hernandez came in only to hit a weak ground ball. So when it comes right down to it I only see 2 question marks. LF and 1st base.
Pomeranz had a lackluster performance … absolutely. Whether he was squeezed or just couldn’t locate the fastball is certainly open for debate. I’m sure those that watched on tv could see what was really happening. Looked like he threw a ton of breaking balls that just weren’t getting it done. Couple that with his not holding the runners and bam. All the Rockies pitchers seem to be giving up the long ball.
I do agree that the Rockies failed to capitalize when they had the Dbacks on the ropes in the 8th.
Look I get the questioning wholesale changes but the fact is the Rockies better be able to plug in Colvin, Herrera, and Rosario anytime whether it’s just one of them or all three. I know some believe in only substituting one or two players a game and not 5.
Striclty my opinion but I think today was more about pitching performances than anything else.
Personally I do not know any other team that sits 2+ regulars at the same game the same day (Sunday) loss after loss after loss. Insanity is the definition that is JT, expecting different results from the same exact actions, amazing!!!
How about the Dbacks? Fri vs Sun. Kubel/Parra Bloomquist/McDonald. Actually I think there was a 3rd but I can’t remember. You could check if you are interested.
Prog mentioned that he hadn’t renewed his Sunday package based on lineups like this one being the norm. I gave Tracy kind of a pass for this one given the late end to yesterday’s game. I got ripped for this by some folks back on ITR, but at the risk of being ripped again: if you’re going to avoid playing certain guys in a day game after a night game, could you please rest some guys on Saturday night? Sunday afternoons bring out a lot of kids who really want to see their favorite players out there, and I just think it’s a shame to have a Helton sitting out every Sunday. Yeah, it’s a “think of the kids” comment, but hey, you’ve got a fan base to keep involved in the Rockies, let’s not alienate them. Particularly at an early age.
Colvin was sharp, but this is also part of a pattern. I guess I’m the stats guy here, but I’ll make one completely unsubstantiated (by the stats) comment: doesn’t it seem like the Rockies struggle mightily against the more “finesse” type pitchers, and weirdly handle the power pitcher/ace types better than we’d expect?
I did like the lineup yesterday as everyone could see from my posts but if I were Jimmer I would probably rest people on Monday or Tuesday given this teams history on Sunday. Change things up a bit Jimmer!
SPARK PLUG FOR 3RD BASE JOB!!!!!!! Nelson and Herrera need to swap roles. Like Sunday, Herrera would turn the lineup over hitting 8th.
and I really hope Pomeranze was nervous, cold, and whatever else that caused him to look like a AA pitcher.
i’ll get behind the SparkPlug at 3rd campaign
Was i the only person that noticed that 2 pitches were called balls and both were very much in the strike-zone and one of them would have been a 3rd strike (the one right before the home run in the first)…i think they were perfectly located, but couldn’t tell if they weren’t called strikes because of the way Wilin received them or what – for sure frusterating because that would have gotten him out of the first inning a lot sooner and without runs…
Umm, should have been “Cahill was sharp.”
I have believed since the days of the Blake St.Bombers that the Rox always hit hard throwers better than finesse,off speed guys.Had a friend who turned me on to his theory about this in mid 90′s and still often seems to be true.
Has anyone noticed the more tense after game press conferences since Root’s new girl has started asking more RWO type questions about things like game stategy,substitutions and line ups.Tracy has been obviously “miffed” now a couple of times by her or some of the other media “wretches” actually questioning JT’s decisions.Today several followed up on each others questions when they felt Tracy’s answer was inadaquet.Interesting to see the press doing there job and not just accepting the party line.Now if we/they could just ask DOD what the hell he’s going to do about the starting pitching–or lack there of!
Wow! A lot of great comments here and on the other post. And Jaredean and Jeem’s writing rivals anything in the print media.
I pre-defended the Sunday line-up Saturday night, so I’ll stick to my guns now. I pretty much agree with what Mike Raysfan said; the weak links were EY and Giambi. But EY has provided a spark lately and Jason needed the AB’s, and had an excellent AB during the 8th inning mini-rally. And the regulars Tulo, Cuddyer, and Hernandez didn’t exactly step up and tear the cover off the ball the way Chris Young did with his teammate Montero on the bench.
On the other hand I too am sick of the Sunday line-ups and MMJT’s defiant defense of them. I am itching for my first game at Coors, but want to avoid a Sunday at all costs. This is the Year of the Fan supposedly, and baseball is a kids’ game, so the stars should show up and play for the fans. Rest the regulars one at a time and on the road.
Finally, I’m glad the media is finally asking some tough questions of our Perennial Manager. It always bugged me that Alana tossed him softballs after the game. This club needs more accountability especially at the top.
Sundays, Lets request MLB let the Rox play a night game on Sunday so they can break this streak of Sunday Losses. Maybe a ESPN game of the Week would make it feel like Friday or Saturday
Just noticed from one of the other threads that Pacheco was sent down. Here’s hoping that he catches every day. The poor guy needs to have a position he can dedicate himself to learning rather than being moved around every few months as the Rockies desperately try to fill the latest black hole in their lineup.
THANK YOU. I couldn’t agree more.
Nelson or Herrera at 3B?
Jaredean, I don’t think we have a poll feature, but I wonder what people think.
I’m no fan of Herrera as a starter anywhere since his bat is too weak. But unless the Rockies come up with a Plan B (that is, Plan B in case Casey Blake’s neck doesn’t hold up, something we learned about a month ago now), I’m definitely leaning toward him over Nelson. Here’s why:
1. They’re both very poor at the plate. For their careers, both have identical Runs Created Plus (RC+, a stat you can find on fangraphs; it takes into account all offensive production and corrects for park factors — 100 is average) of 66. That’s bad. As in Clint Barmes has a career 73 RC+. Basically sub-replacement level offense. Nelson’s minor league stats are kind of o.k. so there’s a bit of hope, but for me that hope is fading real fast. In fact, I’d say it’s gone. That leaves me to conclude that you get the worst offense from 3B in all of major league baseball whichever one you play. So …
2. … doesn’t defense decide it? Defensively, it’s not even close. As we all know, Herrera is a naturally gifted fielder. He’s probably not as good (range-wise) as his smoothness in the field leads us to believe, but the advanced fielding stats (UZR/small sample at every position) suggest that he’s about 6 runs above average or so as a third baseman. Nelson, on the other hand, has some really awful fielding numbers. Again, small samples, but he showed at an atrocious 39.5 runs below average per 150 games as a second baseman last year. He’s been better at 3B, but still below average (and our eyes confirm that). So I’d have to say we’re talking about a guy who’s probably 10-15 runs below average per year as a defensive third baseman.
Put it all together and Herrera is a 1-1.5 wins better over the course of a season. I was willing (barely) to give Nelson a try because he does have some potential upside as a hitter (Herrera doesn’t), but to make up that 1-1.5 win gap he’d have to really step it up at the plate. I had also hoped that having some stability at a position (3B) would allow him to improve defensively, but I’m not seeing it yet. So I think it’s time to pull the plug on the Chris Nelson experiment and label him another failed first round pick. So until Arenado is ready (baseball-wise and/or contractually), I’d say let Jonny play. But please bat him 8th …
Good info! I based my opinion off of Nelson’s LAAAAMMME at bats so far this season. When the team has the case of the pop ups so does Chris and when it’s a case of the dribblers so does Chris. I ask myself who would be the better 8 hole hitter or even 2 hole hitter and I think Spark Plug wins both of those. Defense has to be about even.
I like Nelson better but WOW his at bats have been terrible!!
WOW, a I have learned a lot from this post.
I’m a big fan of numbers but I don’t have time to watch them closely. This comparison between Herrera and Nelson is excellent. I’ve already said two or three weeks ago that I do like Herrera over Nelson in 3B.
It’s just about having a balanced lineup (offense, defense and versatility). Herrera isn’t a good hitter, he just needs to hit well enough to be a good defender in a lineup including Tulo, CarGo, Cuddyer and Helton.
“I don’t think we have a poll feature”
Oh man, i’m hurt! Do you not look at the front of the site???
I’ve had a poll from day one!
I’ve added the poll question to the front as well as this post above…
Agbayani, I’m not sure whether Pacheco should catch or play 3B at CS. Short term, if he plays a month or two at 3B and becomes better as a fielder, then he might be able to play the position for the Rockies before Arenado takes over, but under that scenario, I don’t think that there would be much of a time period between when Pacheco gets called up and when Arenado gets called up. Does he currently catch well enough to be a backup catcher to Rosario long term or does he need more reps at catcher to be able to play that role? It seems like a close call. How many players in major league baseball are being groomed to be a backup catcher/utility infielder. It may be a lot to ask of a player.
I’ve made so many comments on this I will just say this. For me, I truely believe the Rockies brain trust are NOT on the same page when it comes to Pacheco. A good start would be them figuring that out.
I’ve often wondered if Pacheco should be given a lot of time at 1st and see how that works out.
I don’t think Pacheco is good enough to come to a concensus on. He’s not bad enough to simply cut loose either. Jack of all trades, master of none.
The more you try to make him become a certain position, the less value he has.
This may not be fair to him, but I think its in the Rockies best interest to play him at a different position every day in AAA because in all reality thats what he’ll do for the Rockies.
Here is the deal with Pacheco – he is a DH and a guy named Giambi has that spot locked up with the Rockies for awhile. That’s all because he does not play well enough at any position in the field to be a NL MLB regular. I do like him as the Rockies sixth infielder and third catcher, however J Tracy sees these things just a bit differently.
Pacheco did learn to catch last year at AAA, however the experience somewhat stunted his growth as a MLB hitter. Unfortunately as long as the Rockies continue to place a higher value on defense than offense, Pacheco is destined to play most of his days AAA.
The hitting version (instead of speed) of EY2! Not enough places to hide all these gloves of stone in the field when you play in the NL.
Another one for the Ask Ed the Ump file, not sure where to stick this, but what did you think of the Dodgers triple play off a controversial foul call/noncall on a bunt?
For those that didn’t see it:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/dodgers-turn-first-2-5-4-3-triple-023719180.html
Kinda a fubar situation.
This triple play is another reason to not get too excited over the Dodgers’ 9-1 start to the season. Not to take away anything from the way they’ve played, but yesterday’s game was gift wrapped for them. Also, look who they’ve played these first 10 games- 7 games against the Padres and 3 against the Pirates, arguably 2 of the worst teams in baseball. Yes, and before anyone else mentions it, the Rox did lose 2 out of 3 to the lowly Astros.
Cisco, in a strange way you could almost say the Rockies are lucky the Dodgers are 9-1. LA isn’t going to win 146 games, they are going to have hot streaks and cold streaks just like everybody else. It’s better that they have their hot streak when they are playing somebody else.
And if it was going to be a fair ball, wouldn’t that be an infield fly situation? Ed, is the infield fly rule implicit, or does the ball have to be in the air long enough for the ump to physically “call” it, like in a pop-up?
Oh – never mind. I see now that the ball was on the ground. But Ed, if you don’t mind I’m still curious about my question even if it doesn’t apply in this situation.
I just watched the replay. Even Vin Scully kept insisting that the ball was dead.
1st the umpire has to declare a fair or foul ball before calling the infield fly
1st the umpire has to declare a fair or foul ball before calling the infield fly. This is better answered by Ed.
If I were a baserunner and saw the motion(s) from Dale Scott, my initial thoughts would have been foul ball.
A bunch of great comments from posters that I usually mostly agree with, however Herrera regularly at thirdbase is about the worst idea that I can think of. As someone noted above it kinda reminds me of SU Barmes at secondbase, and I really really hated that.
Johnny is just ok as a utility infielder, however he does play some shortstop which is a plus but not essential since Scutaro can play there too. When you run him out there every day at thirdbase, you then substantially weaken your supposedly strong and deep lineup (as long as it is not Sunday).
Ho hitting plus no power equals not a third baseman if you are serious about contending!
I understand your points but then put it this way: Nelson or Herrera? 3rd base is such a joke for the Rockies that it comes down to who can hit better in the 8th spot and make the routine play at 3rd base. Nelson kind of reminds me of Spilly on offense, marginal power threat, and underachieving.
I like Herrera because he brings something different to the lineup, kind of the same reasons I like EY JR. When a lineup is struggling like yesterday you have someone that has a different attitude on offense and knows his role and does what he can to get on base instead of swinging for the fences and falling into pitchers traps. I think teams need a few of those types in a lineup, especially a lineup that already has several power and RBI threats.
I really do think the rotation is going to come together a perform well. But third base I have absolutely no hope for ever since Pacheco was sent down. I wouldn’t mind seeing Wood get a chance or even seeing the Rockies sign someone like Kouzmanoff or Blake (HA HA!) But for now the job should be Herrera’s.
Minor Leagues report for Sunday:
Col Springs-PPD
Tulsa (W 2-1)
Nick Schmidt (Obtained for H. Street)- 6 IP, 5H, 1 ER, 3 Ks
N. Arenado- 2-3, HR, RBI (.395 BA)
Josh Rutledge-2-4 (.286 BA)
Ben Paulsen- 1-4 (.290 BA)
Modesto (L 10-9)
Cory Dickerson- 2-5, 2 RBI (.439 BA)
Ashville (W 9-6)
Harry Belafonte Riggins- 4-5, 3 RBI (.412 BA)
Regarding the triple play bunt; I thought the HP ump threw his arms up as if signaling foul ball; so that’s why the runners never moved; then he says fair ball after calling it foul ball which is dead ball. Ed the Ump?
This is kinda off topic and don’t get me wrong, I love Tulo. However, I can’t remember the last time he has delivered a walk-off or even a really clutch hit? I can remember Cargo several times last season and of course Todd two nights in a row prior to yesterday’s game. I even remember Giambi’s HR last year but for the life of me, no Tulo AB’s come to mind. Can anybody help me out on this?
I can let you know tonight. I’m actually working on a project for the site that has the answer, but its at home.
2012 – Tulo had a sac fly in the season opener; he had an RBI grounder with runner on 3rd and less than two outs (can’t remember which game exactly but it was a game won); he’s been willing to take walks in late game clutch situations. Had that all important insurance run on a towering HR in the season opener.
If you want the heroics, he had that walkoff against the Dodgers in 2009. I also remember his double in the 13th inning off Trevor Hoffmann in game 163 vs. the Friars before Holliday’s triple.
Tulo knows that he’s been horrible in late game clutch situations the last two years. I noticed he’s much more relaxed this year now that we have lengthened the lineup with the additions of Hernandez and Cuddyer hitting behind Helton.
P.S. Yes, I’m writing with Tulo-colored glasses.
but you are spot on RMH…they were even mentioning on the radio yesterday that everyone expects Tulo and Cargo to always get the walkoff, driving in runs every at bat yada yada. Would it be nice? Sure but just having them in the lineup is 95% better than the majority of major leaguers. Last year you can throw out just because the team was performing so poorly top to bottom, he put too much pressure on himself, expanding his strike zone. (IMO)
I agree that the additions this year is going to go a long way in getting him to relieve the pressure of having to carry everyone.
Regarding the triple play from LA game, I agree with your assessment. Ump immediately signaled ball not in play then changed so no way in hell would the runners have taken off that quick. Just glad it wasn’t us!
Go Rox
Thanks guys! I knew there had to be some in there, just couldn’t remember. I guess living in the moment I can’t get the two ugly swing-and-misses from Friday and Saturday out of my head. Go Rox!
Two seasons ago, right before the September collapse, 10-9 win over the Giants at home. Cargo on 1B. Tulo hit a double to the LC gap and Cargo scored the winner. That’s the last one I remember.
see video above
Thanks Jared. Cool video. I’m one of those people in the background on the 3B side, a little past 3B, about row 11 I think. That walk-off will forever be etched in my brain.
Here’s a few from my walk off analysis. Haven’t done 07 or 08 yet. The second name here is who scored. Remember this is just home game winning hits.
2009 Tuesday, Aug 25 LAD Troy Tulowitzki Single Ian Stewart
2010 Sunday, Aug 15 MIL Troy Tulowitzki Single Dexter Fowler
2010 Saturday, Sep 25 SFG Troy Tulowitzki Double Carlos Gonzales
None for Tulo in 2011.
Interested to know as to who the “other” would be on the survey, since it should be someone that is currently on the 25 man roster (i guess the question isn’t worded that way, so i assume many are thinking Nolan?)
Jaredean, sorry ’bout not noticing the poll!
At the start of the season I would’ve voted 1. Pacheco (other), 2. Nelson, 3. Herrera. But I’ve reassessed, so I’m casting my vote (rather unenthusiastically) for Jonny. I still think Nelson will outhit Herrera, but not by enough of a margin to make up for Nelson’s defensive deficiencies.
But right now, without spending another single day in the minors, Arenado projects as just about even with Nelson, and at age 21 he obviously is the guy with lots of room for improvement. I’m ready to start the Arenado era tomorrow.