Rockies Split in Division Play

Remember what I said the other day about how you can’t give up 10 runs to the Padres? Well you certainly can’t give up 11 runs. The only thing that makes me feel better is that if you’re the Giants, you can’t give up 7 runs to anybody. So it could certainly be worse

Dazzling

Eric Young Jr. showed once again just how frustratingly good he can be on the right day. He hit a triple and a home run and scored twice. He should be the quintessential lead-off hitter with his speed, but instead he will inevitably follow a game like this with a three strikeout game. Mark my words.

Jim Tracy keeps insisting on playing son Chad, despite my continued insistence that he’s not that good. And Chad Tracy keeps on doing way more than he should be able to do at the most unexpected times, so I don’t really know how to assess him anymore. Yesterday he was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, a walk and a run scored. Of course, he did get picked off 2nd after one of those doubles, which is something you just don’t do. On the other hand, if Dad doesn’t see the importance of good baserunning, why should Jr?

Tyler Colvin was also 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, and he’s making something of an impression here this spring. Many people, myself included, thought that the Ian Stewart-Colvin trade made sense because both had great potential and no execution. Perhaps the change of scenery would do them both some good. And so far it has, because both are hitting well over .300 with their new clubs. Can Colvin contribute what Stewart was no longer able to? Let’s not rule it out.

Speaking of that trade, the other guy, DJ LeMahieu, isn’t too bad himself. In yesterday’s game he was 2-for-4 with a run scored. He’s emerging as a viable option for the 2nd base merry-go-round, maybe even a better one than the guy who was supposed to start every day, Marco Scutaro.

Ok, I cave. I was wrong about Jamie Moyer. He’s officially the most impressive pitcher not named Juan Nicasio this spring. He tossed 4 PERFECT innings last night with 4 K’s. Holy smokes. Can we please write this guy’s name into the rotation in ink? At this point I think that, as long as he’s healthy, he will contribute.

You’d expect to see something like 7 runs put up by the lineup in the nightcap against the Giants, and so it was good to see. Michael Cuddyer certainly did his part with a 2-for-3 game including a 2-run home run. Hopefully he is starting to figure something out, because we need his bat to be productive.

Wilin Rosario had a terrific game, 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. It’s safe to say Ramon Hernandez‘s services won’t be needed too much longer. Rosario could still use a little polishing, but he’s very close.

Disappointing

I thought Guillermo Moscoso was something of a lock for the starting rotation going into camp, because it seemed like he was the most ready of all the new guys we had acquired (aside from Jeremy Guthrie). But he’s been very disappointing this spring, and yesterday was no different. In 3 innings he gave up 7 hits and 3 walks en route to getting slapped with 5 earned runs and the loss. And he let 3 of those runs score with 2 outs, raising serious concerns about his ability to finish an inning. To the bullpen, sir.

Of course, Moscoso’s mess was nothing compared to the one made by Carlos Torres. In 2 innings he gave up 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. No danger of this guy making the roster when all’s said and done, but you still just don’t want to see that ever.

Dexter Fowler: still bad. He was 1-for-4 last night and left 4 men on base. He did steal a base, but that’s his first successful steal this spring, which is not good. Dear Dex, please fix what’s wrong because we can’t afford to have you in the Springs for any part of this season.

This is a huge stretch, because pitching in the Giants game was nothing short of brilliant, but Esmil Rogers did give up a hit, and without that this would have been a no-hitter. Everybody knows the Giant’s offense sucks but this is still awesome for us and embarrassing for them.

The Rockies revisit the Cubs this afternoon.

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