Only the second shutout of the season for the Rockies and Drew Pomeranz, the teams starting pitcher, doesn’t get the win.
Such is the 75 pitch count, the cruel mistress that makes it all but impossible to get away with a win, should one decide to walk more than a couple batters a start.
Pomeranz walked three.
It took Drew four innings to throw 84 pitches, striking out seven and only serving up three hits. He didn’t seems happy when the change of guard to Ottavino took place, but it wasn’t obvious if his frustration was with himself for not being more efficient, or with the system that rewards a starting pitcher who doesn’t give up a run, earned or otherwise, with a seat on the bench to watch his bullpen replacement pick up the W.
In was only the second Rockies win in their last 10 games, but the obvious reason for both win’s (as well as all of the losses in-between) lies squarely on the mound. Pitching won tonight, just as sure as it did on Thursdays against the Cardinals. The combination of four pitchers (Pomeranz, Ottavino, Belisle and Betancourt) giving up only five hits and four walks with 10 strikeouts to shutout the Dodgers, was almost overshadowed by the seventh inning drama on the field.
With two out and one on, Shane Victorino hits a line-drive to Dexter in center. The ball is “caught” at the field level as Dex slides to a halt on his back, making no effort to get up quickly. The only umpire to make a call was the first-base umpire, who called it an out and the team left the field. Don Mattingly quickly ran to the first base ump and requested they conference to make sure they got the call right. After a brief huddle, the call was overturned and Victorino was deemed safe.
That is when Jim Tracy went ballistic.
Replays during the conference showed a ball that could have bounced off the lip of the glove into the heel, or one that bounced off the grass. It wasn’t 100% clear, but the fact that only one umpire signaled anything seemed to mean he was the only one that saw it close enough to make the call. How he was overturned by the other three, when they didn’t seem sure themselves, was the real point of contention and after Tracy yelled, screamed and finally spiked his hat he was tossed. He got his money worth in words and spittle, but to no avail, the call stood. Next batter up was Ellis and thankfully CarGo made a great catch on Mark Ellis’ deep fly ball to left-center before the team came back to the dugout for real this time.
After the game Dex said that the team did great getting all 28 outs. Tracy said Dex told him he caught it and he also said the replay proved it, although there was still some doubt.
Other key moments of the game:
- EYj going 3-5 and scoring both of the Rockies Runs.
- Jordan Pacheco going 2-4 with an RBI
- CarGo’s amazing throw to second to get Rivera trying to stretch a single into a double. He obviously hasn’t seen enough CarGo film or he would have stood pat on first.
- Johnny Sparkplug going 2-4
The team hasn’t quit-at least yet[we all remember the past 2 Sept.].Young guys playing like they realize this is there chance.Doesn’t mean they are going to be good enough to not lose 100+,but makes me care enough to root for the effort.I’d flip-flop a couple of the piggy backers to starters[Octavino,Torres]but probably wouldn’t make much difference.Jim Tracy’s finest moment in the last season and a half.
I ride out Rockies games to the bitter end all year long, and the one time I decide to get to sleep early is the only late-inning excitement in months! Love the Dex quote. Nice write-up Jared.
Thanks to mlbtv.com I was able to find and watch the catch/trap within seconds. It certainly looked to me as though the ball was trapped as I do not see enough leather under the ball to keep it from touching the ground. I’ll side with the umpires that they actually got it right, but likely by accident. Of course, had the Rockies hit the ball and the out call made, we’d all be screaming it was trapped! LOL
It might have been trapped, but I think that it was close enough to not know. And since the original call was catch there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn. The anger wasn’t about if it was a catch/trap so much as it was that they overturned the call.
Well, Ed the Ump we all have the you-know-what-the-question is….
I’ve never seen a call overturned except for conclusive evidence on the video review. How was that possible?
I’m back in Iowa so missed the game and the catch/no catch.
Suffice it to say watching a replay and listening to Vin Scully describe the play, viewers, players and managers were perplexed and confused.
I am not sure what MLB umpires responsibilities are on fly balls with men on base…at the college level each umpire has various things to look for. It’s unbelievable that all four sets of eyes are on the play…or even three.
I didn’t like the fact that they overturned the call. One ump is responsible and should live with the call…BUT…announcers, managers and players are CONSTANTLY talking about how it’s important to get the call correct, which they did. If that means that multiple sets of eyes are on the play I guess that’s what MLB wants…so be it.
Watched the game on the LA feed and Vin Scully thought it was a catch. Best part of the game was listening to Vin translate Tracy’s words during his tirade. LOL! I only wish JT would have kicked a little dirt and stomped a little. Too bad he didn’t show some of this emotion a few months ago. Who knows, it might have rubbed off on the players.
Who was it that would kick dirt on the ump’s shoes? Earl Weaver? Or more recent? Bobby Cox?
When Weaver managed there was never any doubt that he hated losing – many times with J Tracy that is not always the case. Last night however JT answered the bell – good job (did I just write that?)!
Do you remember which closer it was that sent Weaver up the tunnel to smoke (he was so nervous whenever the guy was in there)?
I thought Billy Martin was the best of all time in kicking dirt and raising a ruckus. Even knew how to get under George Brett’s skin…
Lou Pinella was right up there for classic blow ups,including tearing bases up and tossing them.Yeah,Billy was probably the best dirt kicker,with Weaver 2nd.
One of the Cubs managers – from the 70′s I think – was a dirt kicker. Leo Durocher?
Maybe when the umps huddled, they weren’t discussing that particular play. Maybe they were discussing the out the Rockies didn’t record when LA played in Colorado earlier this year. (See my avatar)