Saturday’s First Pitch

Ladies and gentlemen, Felipe Paulino.

Paulino gave up a walk-off two-run home run to Milwaukee Brewers’ first baseman Prince Fielder in the bottom of the 14th inning Friday night at Miller Park.

Enough said.

The Rockies pulled ahead in the 13th and 14th inning, but closer Huston Street gave up a solo home run to Yuniesky Betancourt in the bottom of the 13th to tie the game, and Paulino walked Ryan Braun on five pitches, then gave up the walk-off homer to Fielder.

In the postgame interview, it was easy to see that manager Jim Tracy was visibly flustered, and was not wanting to use Paulino in the game. Unfortunately for Tracy, Street had already been used and pinch-hit for by Jhoulys Chacin, who pitched in Philadelphia Thursday night.

Perhaps the biggest storyline to come out of Friday’s game was Troy Tulowitzki.

In the fifth inning, Braun was hit by a pitch delivered by Jason Hammel. In retaliation, Brewers pitcher Zack Greinke threw behind Tulowitzki. Later on, in the eighth inning, Brewers reliever LaTroy Hawkins threw a quickpitch to Tulowitzki, who made his frustrations known to home plate umpire Rob Drake. Tulowitzki said he didn’t believe Drake was ready to make the correct call due to the quickpitch, and he felt he was unfairly called out. Tulowitzki continued to argue with Drake, and even after being separated by Jim Tracy, Tulowitzki was thrown out.

The Rockies had six out to a victory when Alfredo Amezega came in to play shortstop, but it wasn’t Amezega’s fault. In fact, he contributed to the Rockies lead in the 14th inning, smacking a double into right center field. Seth Smith brought him home in the next at-bat with a triple to give the Rockies a 6-5 lead.

Two men named Jason had a very good day on Friday, however. Jason Giambi hit another home run, his fifth on the year and 420th in his career. Only 21 of those 420 have been to left field, where Friday’s home run landed. Jason Hammel pitched a strong six and two-thirds innings, only giving up two runs. He also helped his own case by hitting a solo home run to left center field. His home run Friday was his first career home run, and the first from a Rockies pitcher since May 8, 2004, when Jason Jennings took San Diego Padres pitcher Greg Maddux deep.

The Rockies need to have a short memory, and come out tomorrow to show the Brewers and the rest of baseball that Friday night was just a fluke.