Tuesday it was Ian Kennedy and the 12 strike-outs.  Wednesday rookie Wade Miley held them to a run and two hits over eight, and Friday it was  LAAo’A's CJ Wilson limiting the Rockies to two runs, again lasting eight, and riding a huge night by right-fielder Torii Hunter to defeat Colorado 7-2 at Coors Field. The Rockies have managed only three runs in the three losses.

Alex White started for Colorado and had trouble with Angels rookie center-fielder Mike Trout and the veteran Hunter.  Trout singled his first three trips against White, scoring behind home-runs by Hunter in the third and fifth.  Hunter’s second bomb, the one in the fifth, was extra large, bouncing to a bewildered fan in-line for a HeltonBurger on the left-field concourse as LAAo’A moved-out to a 4-0 lead.

Wilson, like Miley in the last game, was perfect into the fourth, when Carlos Gonzalez dropped a bunt-single in front of Albert Pujols, playing third base for the Angels as a concession to inter-league play and National League rules.  Usual LAAo’A designated hitter Kendrys Morales, still recovering from a devastating ankle-break celebrating a walk-off grand slam in 2010, started on defense for the first time in 2012 at Pujols’ usual first base spot.

Colorado finally got-over on Wilson in the sixth when Eric Young Jr, pinch hitting for White, singled with one out.  Young moved-up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rockies lead-off hitter Dexter Fowler, and scored on a double by shortstop Marco Scutaro.

White went six for Colorado, allowing four runs on eight hits.  He did not walk a batter on Friday after passing five in his previous start.  Josh Roenicke and Matt Belisle were perfect in the seventh and eighth respectively, bringing on The Amazing Esmil to handle the ninth.  Esmil retired Howie Kendrick with a 99 MPH fast-ball, and got Eric Aybar to pop-out, but not until Rogers had thrown him seven pitches.  Esmil, who like many of the Rockies pitchers considers out number three an annoying nuisance, proceeded to allow a single to catcher John Hester, walked Maicer Izturis (who hit for Wilson), then uncorked a 97 MPH fast-ball toward Trout’s head.  It caromed-off his shoulder, tore across his thumb, and grazed the bat on the way to the screen, loading the bases for Hunter, who grounded a two-run single to center on Rogers’ third pitch to him, extending the LAAo’A lead to 6-1.  Pujols followed with a double, Trout scoring his third and the Angels’ seventh run.

The Rockies got one back in the ninth when Todd Helton singled off Jordan Walden with two out and Jordan Pacheco followed with a triple, but Walden recovered to retire Wilin Rosario on a pop-up to short, securing the victory.

Newly acquired left-hander Jeff Francis will start for Colorado tomorrow against the Angels’ Dan Haren (3-6, 3.52), meaning the Rockies will make a roster-move and putting The Amazing Esmil’s run in Denver at risk.  The flame-throwing right-hander is out of options and the remainder of the Rockies’ bullpen has been relatively solid, despite its heavy work-load.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:10 MDT with Root handling the television broadcast and 850 KOA describing the action on radio.

LAAo’A Hit Denver Looking to Contend
Iannetta Off to Inland Empire to Rehab

The LAAo’A arrive at Coors Field today for a three-game set with the Colorado Rockies riding a 3-4 record over the past week on the heels of an eight-game winning streak that vaulted them into contention in the American League West, led by defending league champion Texas at 33-25.  The Angels sit at .500 (29-29), four games behind the Division leader.  Colorado is 4-3 over the same period, having crept closer to respectability and the Los Angeles Dodgers during a home-stand in Denver, then falling-back by losing two of three to the Diamondbacks in Phoenix.  LAAo’A send left-hander CJ Wilson (6-4, 2.54), signed-away as a free-agent from Texas during the winter,  against Rockies’ right-hander Alex White (2-3, 5.60).  White got the victory in his most recent start against the Dodgers, when he gave-up two runs on two hits with five walks in 6 2/3 innings.  Wilson has won two of his last three starts with a sparkling 0.45 ERA, striking out 17 in 20 innings.

Colorado will miss former catcher Chris Iannetta, traded to the Angels in the off-season for right-hander Tyler Chatwood.  Iannetta is beginning a rehab assignment with the triple-A Inland Empire 66ers, coming off wrist surgery after being hit by a pitch on May 2 during battery-mate Jered Weaver’s no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins.  Iannetta was hitting .197 with a .312 on-base percentage, three home runs and nine RBI when he went-down.

First pitch at 20th and Blake is scheduled for 6:40 MDT, with Root providing the Rockies’ TV coverage and radio on 850 KOA.  The lineups:

IN GAME CHAT