Morning Links: Rockies News 4/12

The Colorado Rockies enter San Diego for a three game set this weekend as they lick their wounds from the beating administered by the San Francisco Giants earlier this week. Speaking of the Padres, and of wounds, they were involved in a bench-clearing brawl with the Los Angeles Dodgers last night when Carlos Quentin inexplicably charged Zack Greinke in the 6th inning of a 1-run game. Here are the links:

The brawl. Image: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

From Troy Renck: Colorado Rockies determined to play better defense this season, and it’s showing (Denver Post)

"Perhaps the most noticeable improvement has been in the outfield. Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer have started strong. CarGo won a Gold Glove last year but admittedly wasn’t at his best.The Rockies’ outfield combined for a minus-15 rating last year, according to Baseball-reference.com. Fowler shakes his head at the metrics, believing the exact opposite.“I think we are one of the best outfields, if not the best,” Fowler said. “When I hear that stuff, I am like, ‘Are you serious?’ Look at where we play. Center fielders come into our park, see how big it is and say, ‘Dex, I don’t know how you can play here every day!’ “"

From Tracy Ringolsby (via Twitter)

From MLB.com: Scully sorts out the commotion (VIDEO)

From Scott Andes: Birdman Breaks His Wing During Cowardly Attack (Lasorda’ Lair)

"Our beautiful 147 million dollar prize, Birdman Zack Greinke was injured during the cowardly attack by San Diego thug Carlos Quentin. During the bottom of the sixth inning, with the Dodgers leading 2-1, Greinke accidentally plunked Quentin with a 3-2 pitch. The pitch lightly bounced off of his arm. it was nothing. The attack was totally uncalled for. Quentin turned like he was going to trot down to first, then all of a sudden, he lost his mind. After all when something is that small it is easy to lose."

From Rob Neyer: No excuses for Carlos Quentin…but (Baseball Nation)

"But when these guys talk about “zero understanding of baseball” — and I say these guys because you’re going to hear this from other baseball guys — they’re showing a zero understanding of human nature. If Carlos Quentin had thought about it before he got hit, or if he’d paused for a moment after he got hit, he might have understood. But he just reacted, much as we’ve all reacted at some point in our lives. Occasionally to the detriment of those around us."

From USA Today Sports (via Twitter)