Chatwood Outduels Lincecum: Giggle Giggle

It does not take a seasoned or expert Rockies fan to know we have reached the point where you seek out small victories. You seek out little bright spots in what is otherwise a miserable fan experience. Emerging players, young talent developing before our eyes, and yes, on occasion, playing the role they call “spoiler.” Time will tell if the Rockies are able to do that as the playoff races wind down.

Another bright spot? Beating Tim Lincecum. That made last night’s 3-0 victory quite enjoyable.

It almost seems like it was more enjoyable to see Lincecum, who is laboring through his worst career season, pitch well and lose. After all, the Rockies only touched him up for 3 runs over the course of 7 innings of a “quality start.” For the Giants, a team with playoff aspirations, that probably should have been enough to have a chance to snag a rare win with the staff anchor on the mound (giggles to self). But on this night, it was none other than one-time-Los-Angeles-Angel, one-time-long-reliever, one-time-Sky-Sox-hero, sometimes-starter Tyler Chatwood who stood between Lincecum and the ‘W’ column (giggles uncontrollably).

In all seriousness, these are the kinds of outings that can build something like hope for the Rockies as they play out their schedule. Chatwood was the object of laudatory comments from players such as Michael Cuddyer and Todd Helton in Spring Training. They loved his electric stuff and they thought he was ready to surprise people. He wasn’t yet, but if he is ready to contribute moving forward it is one step towards a competent professional pitching staff.

Rookie catcher Wilin Rosario continued his torrid hitting, knocking two doubles off of the artist formerly known as the “Freak.” The once white-hot Tyler Colvin showed signs of breaking out of his extended slump with a couple of hits, including an impressive RBI single where he kept his hands back and dinked an offspeed pitch into right field.

All in all, this continues to be a strong showing on a west coast trip, something that has seemingly always alluded the Rockies, even in their fleeting days of glory. It will be tough to continue that success tonight, as Drew Pomeranz faces off against Matt Cain.