Rockies Register

A batting coach wants hitters to put the bat on the ball and put pressure on the defense to make plays. Of course, if a pitcher simply does not want the other team to hit his pitches and elects to walk them, the coach will not complain. Greg Reynolds had an extremely difficult time finding the plate against the Philadelphia Phillies. The eventual outcome was in little doubt and the Rockies lost 6-1.

Reynolds was awfully wild and walked eight Phillies hitters and twice in the fifth inning walks were followed by homers. Two walks before Chase Utley blasted his 17th homer of the year and a walk before Geoff Jenkins went deep left the Rockies  down 6-1 after going into the inning with a 1-1 tie.

Reynolds finished with five hits given up and no strikeouts. He allowed six runs, all earned.

Shane Victorino provided trouble for the Rockies pitchers all game, having three hits and two stolen bases.  The Phillies only had six hits, but they came at big moments and brought in multiple runs.
Adam Eaton had no such troubles in picking up his first win of the year. He went six strong innings giving up just four hits to an injured and beaten Rockies team. He struck out four while allowing just one run.

Todd Helton had the lone RBI for the Rockies and Ryan Spilborghs was the only Rockie with two hits.

Pat Burrell and Geoff Jenkins both had outfield assists for the Phillies.

The Phillies offense has been one of the best all season. Putting 20 runs on the scoreboard though, that was not expected at the start of Monday’s game. The Phillies absolutely smacked the ball all over the place, rounding the bases frequently to wint 20-5.

Ryan Spilborghs gave the Rockies an early lead with a three run homer in the first inning. The Phillies responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Chase Utley hit a three run shot of his own to tie the game up at 3 early.

Jorge De La Rosa struggled for the Rockies lasting just 3.1 innings. He gave up seven runs, six earned, off four hits and three walks. His ERA jumped to 9.00 for the year. The bullpen did not fare any better, giving up 13 runs.

Jason Grilli gave up three, Josh Newman gave up six and Matt Herges gave up four more. Newman recorded just two outs while giving up four hits and two walks. Herges set down just one while surrendering six hits.

Pedro Feliz led the way for the Phillies with four hits and four RBI’s. Chris Coste had three hits, including a three run homer. He drove in four total. So Taguchi and Utley each had three hits. Utley knocked in six runs total in the game. Shane Victorino scored four runs and Ryan Howard added three runs of his own.

Jamie Moyer picked up the win for the Phillies, his fifth of the year.

Aaron Cook has been doing his part every time he steps out on he mound for Rockies. He has racked up seven wins after throwing his first complete game of the year Sunday by as core of 4-1. The Rockies needed the lift, and thanks to Cook’s efforts, they took the series win over the Giants.

Cook went all nine innings allowing just four hits and one run. He walked only a single batter and struck out three. In a game that featured just seven hits, one swing stood above all the rest.

Seth Smith had no hits this year in the majors. When the Rockies placed Brad Hawpe on the DL, he was called up from Triple A and was put into the starting lineup. His first hit could not have been bigger. With two runners on and one out in the fourth, Smith jacked a three run shot off John Maine to put the Rockies up 3-1.

Cook was more than up to the challenge of holding the lead Smith provided.

Maine allowed just three hits in six innings, but walked four and that came back to haunt him. The Rockies scored three earned runs off Maine, four total. He struck out eight in the game.

The Rockies dropped the game on Saturday 9-2 to the Mets. Jeff Francis was unable to pick up his second win of the year. He was charged with the loss after giving up six runs in six innings. He did rack up eight K’s on the night.

David Wright and Carlos Delgado each homered for the Mets. They also stole three bases in the game. Matt Holliday homered for the Rockies in the first inning, his eighth. Holliday was placed on the DL after the game, adding to the mounting list of injured Rockies.

Matt Holliday stepped up the to plate a total of seven times in a game against the Mets Friday night. He failed to reach base safely until his sixth at bat which came in the ninth inning. His first hit of the night could not have come at a better time. He jacked a first pitch fastball from closer Billy Wagner over the centerfield fence to tie the game.

As if the game tying homer was not enough, in his seventh at bat, Holliday decided to one up his previous heroics. He lined a single into right field in the bottom of the 13th to drive in Jonathon Herrera from second, sending the Coors Field fans into frenzy. In as season that has been almost all down times, a big extra inning victory like this 6-5 win is just what the doctor ordered.

Holliday has been the mark of consistency for the Rockies thus far, hitting .322 with seven homers. The team however, not so much in the area of consistency. Widely considered a contender for the NL West crown before the season, the Padres and Rockies have been fighting each other to stay out of the cellar.

The Mets are just the team the Rockies need to be playing. The clubhouse is in turmoil and they just got swept in a 4 game series by the Atlanta Braves. Things did not get any better for the Mets Friday.

The Rockies jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Garrett Atkins hit a two run bomb off starter Oliver Perez. The Mets fought back to take the lead in the sixth by a score of 4-2. Clint Barmes did not allow that to last long, driving a two run double in the bottom of the inning.

The Mets jumped back on top in the top of the seventh, and until Holliday stepped up in the ninth, their losing streak seemed bound to end.

Rookie right hander Greg Reynolds made his third career start. He went six innings allowing four runs and struck out a career high five. Both he and Oliver Perez took a no decision in the game.

The game went so long, Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook each made pinch hit appearances. Taylor Buchholz took the win for the Rockies, working three scoreless innings. He allowed just two hits while striking out three.

The Rockies will try to take two in a row tonight.

Ubaldo Jimenez did everything he could to get the Rockies a win, throwing seven three hit innings. The Rockies bullpen could not finish the job he started, falling in the 10th inning to the Giants.

The Giants did not score off Jimenez, they broke through with two runs to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning. Brian Fuentes was charged with a blown save after giving up both runs off three hits. Omar Vizquel and Brian Holm each had an double in the inning off Fuentes to take the game to extras. Holm had an RBI on his pinch hit double.

In the tenth, Ray Durham led off with a single then Matt Herges walked Rich Aurilia. The run eventually scored on a sac fly by Vizquel.

The Rockies had two hits from Willy Tavares, Matt Holliday, and Ryan Spilborghs. Jonathon Sanchez was solid for the Giants on the hill, allowing just eight hits over 6.1 innings. He surrendered just two runs, both earned. He also struck out five.

Tyler Walker picked up the win while Brian Wilson earned his 14th save of the year.

Aaron Cook was gunning for his seventh win, but fell just short against the Giants. Tim Lincecum was up to the challenge and had one of his best outing of the year to pick up the win 6-5. Lincecum struck out six and allowed just five hits over six innings.

Clint Barmes continued his hot streak, hitting a two run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to pull the game within one. The Rockies could not get one more run however, and fell just short. Todd Helton went 2-2 and had three walks in his five plate appearances.

Rich Aurilia and Fred Lewis each homered for the Giants, Lewis’ came in the top of the ninth and proved to be the difference in the game.  Bengie Molina had three hits to lead the way for the Giants.

Cook gave up 10 hits over seven innings. He gave up four runs and three strikeouts. His record now stands at 6-3.

Brian Wilson picked up his 13th save of the year.

Amidst a very inconsistent rocky season for the Rockies, Clint Barmes has been a light of consistency of late. Barmes helped carry the Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Giants on Monday. He smacked two hits, including his fourth homer of the season. Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins also each had two hits.

Barmes has been on a tear, hitting .500 since May 6. In that stretch he is 22-44. He also extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

Jason Grilli picked up the win in relief, although only recording two outs. Jorge De La Rosa allowed the Giants two earned runs over 5.1 innings, on just four hits. He walked two and rung up three on strikes. The Rockies staff allowed just eight hits total.

Randy Winn and Fred Lewis led the way on offense for the Giants. Winn hit a solo homer in the first inning, one of his two hits, two run, and two RBI’s. Lewis pounded two triples in the game, bringing his total to five for the year.

Pat Misch started and took a no decision after throwing five innings. He allowed just five hits and three runs. Vinny Chulk took the loss after surrendering the Rockies final run. Yorvit Torrealba had the huge hit, lining a Chulk fastball down the left field line scoring two with two outs in the sixth to put the Rockies ahead.

Ryan Spilborghs played a part in the rally, scoring the go-ahead run, as he continues to be clutch in recent games. Brian Fuentes picked up the save, his sixth.

Ryan Spilborghs has had a flair for the dramatic in helping the Rockies to find a win every now and then. Almost two weeks ago, he lifted the team to a win after continuing a rally with two outs in the eighth. The Rockies needed him again in the biggest way last night. He did not let down.

In a tie game, 2-2, Spilborghs stepped in and drove in the go-ahead run with a sharp liner into the outfield grass. The Rockies held on in the ninth to win 3-2. The hit spoiled Livan Hernandez’ strong outing. Hernandez set down the first 15 batters in order and looked unbeatable for the most part. He took the hard luck loss after giving up three runs in 7.1 innings.
Rookie Greg Reynolds, making his second start, was equally dominant in his own right. He threw six impressive innings, surrendering just three hits and no runs. He had two walks and two K’s to fill out the stat line. He took a no decision.

Jeff Baker smashed two doubles in support of the rook, and Willy Taveras drove in one run on two hits. Brian Fuentes picked ups his fifth save of the year.

Hernandez drove in one of two Padre runs in a seventh inning rally that put them up 2-1 until the Rockies scored a tying run in the bottom of the inning. Delmon Young was the lone Twin with two hits.

The Rockies just cannot catch a break. They have lost six straight now and are in last place in the NL West. Ubaldo Jimenez had a good outing, going seven innings allowing just three runs. Sadly, the offense only put up two runs in the game. Clint Barmes remained the lone bright spot for the Rockies hitters. He went 3-4 in the game. He fell just a homer short of the cycle, after putting up a single, double and triple.

The Twins were helped out by Delmon Young’s three hits, including two doubles. Justin Morneau also had two hits. Nick Blackburn had one of his best games of the year. He allowed only two runs off six hits in seven innings. Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 13th save.

Willy Tavares stole his 16th base of the year in the game, taking third.

I am beginning to run out of ideas and words to describe Brandon Webb. Perfect. Unbeaten. Unconscious. Incredible. You name it, he is it right now. After winning an improbable 12 games in the second half of last year, he has picked up where he left off to win his first nine starts of the year. He has yet to even get credited with a no decision.

This starting off hot thing is nothing new to Webb. He started 8-0 in 2006. He provided the pitching power to beat the Rockies 8-5. He threw 7.1 innings allowing the Rockies just three runs off six hits. He punched out eight in the game.

The Diamondbacks offense was more than up to the task after breaking out of a slump in Chicago. Stephen Drew led the charge with a 4-5 game, including his fifth triple of the year. Chris Young had two hits and scored three runs, while Orlando Hudson had two hits, two runs and two RBI’s. Drew scored two runs as well. Chris Snyder belted his third homer of the year, driving in three.

Clint Barmes was the lone Rockie with two hits. Aaron Cook took the loss in the game, dropping to a good record of 6-2. He has been the best and most consistent Rockie pitcher so far this year. He struggled in this game however, giving up ten hits and five runs in five innings.

The Diamondbacks had a season high four errors in the game. Hudson committed two of them. Brandon Lyon picked up his 12th save of the year.