Rockies’ Momentum Dies at the Hands of Aaron Harang

Rockies 2, Dodgers 6

Remember when Aaron Harang played for the Padres? Those were the days. In 2011, Harang was the starting pitcher for the Padres three different times against the Rockies. He finished with an 0-2 record and 15 earned runs in 17 innings pitched. Yeah, that’s the Harang we know and love.

But the Harang who showed up today in a Dodgers uniform was a different guy. Either that, or Jim Tracy’s decision to bench both Todd Helton and Wilin Rosario paid off – for Los Angeles. In any case, Harang went 6 innings and only allowed 1 run. He also struck out 6. 4 of those K’s belonged to guys who didn’t start yesterday: Tyler Colvin and Wil Nieves. Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

Well. That’s not even the worst of it. The worst of it would be that Juan Nicasio only lasted 1 2/3 innings because he twisted his knee when a ground ball went between his legs in the 2nd. As if we need another starter down for the count. And in Nicasio’s short outing, he gave up enough runs to still get saddled with the loss: only 2 earned, but 3 total, which is more than the Rockies would score in the whole game.

Also, basically all the things that have gone right this past week went wrong today. The first run the Dodgers scored was unearned thanks to a throwing error by DJ LeMahieu in the 1st. Josh Roenicke did an awesome job walking in a run in the 4th inning. Matt Reynolds almost had a great outing, but then he allowed 2 runs in the 6th on a home run, a double, and a single, essentially sealing the Rockies’ fate in this game. Not good when the bullpen has been the only thing holding us together some days. And Carlos Gonzalez came to the plate in the 7th with runners at the corners and 1 out – a perfect opportunity for one of baseball’s hottest hitters to break things open. And he grounded into a double play.

The only good news I have to report is that Rex Brothers, back from his assignment in the Springs, did a fine job with the 7th and 8th innings. Other than walking A.J. Ellis and then balking him to 2nd, Brothers was perfect, and he also struck out two Dodgers, including Andre Ethier. Good to see him back in good form.

Hopefully everybody who got a day off today, including Jordan Pacheco and his sore quad, will be back in the lineup tomorrow. Because I really enjoyed my 4 tacos for $2 today and I’d like to have that again very very soon.

Alex White gets the ball for the Rockies in their series finale with the Dodgers tomorrow afternoon.