Rockies Show Padres Whose Bats are Boss

Rockies 11, Padres 2

The Rockies’ offense has been almost eerily quiet so far this spring, with a severe shortage of big hits, or really any hits at all. So it was nice to finally see a good old-fashioned rout. I think we all needed that.

Dazzling

If you haven’t been hearing the name Brandon Wood, you must have something stuffed in your ears. He has caused quite a stir in Scottsdale so far this spring, emerging as a legitimate contender for the opening day roster. And he did not disappoint yesterday, going 2-for-2 and hitting his second triple of the spring, driving in one run and scoring another. This kid knows how to swing a bat.

Chad Tracy had two plate appearances yesterday, and he made them count. He hit an RBI single in the 6th and a sacrifice fly in the 7th. He also scored as a pinch runner in the 5th. Solid effort for the younger Tracy.

Nobody put more runs on the board in this game than Wilin Rosario. He was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI, mostly thanks to the 3-run home run he hit in the 7th. He also started the 8-run rally in that inning with a lead-off walk, ultimately scoring when pitcher Erik Hamren issued a bases-loaded walk to DJ LeMahieu. It’s nice to see Rosario using that power we all know he has.

Candidates for the starting rotation are starting to get longer outings as they warm up to pitching in live games again, and Jeremy Guthrie was the first to get a 4-inning run. He was basically excellent, allowing only 1 run, a homer by Cameron Maybin on the first pitch of the game. Guthrie found his stride after that and gave up just one more hit. He also struck out 3. He’s making a strong case for himself as a top-end starter, and I think the initial plan to slot him at 1 or 2 is very likely to come to fruition.

Not a perfect outing for Esmil Rogers, but a very good one all things considered. He took over for Guthrie in the 5th and pitched three innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk and striking out 4. He also ended the 6th inning by picking Jeudy Valdez off 1st base. That’s the Esmil we keep hoping will sit down and stay a while. I don’t want to get too excited about that, because in the past he’s always followed that up with absolute dreck, but still, I acknowledge and praise his efforts yesterday.

Disappointing

Dexter Fowler is starting to get on my nerves.  He drew a lead-off walk in the bottom of the 1st but then he got picked off. How many times have we seen that storyline? And how many runs has Fowler cost the team because he gets on base but can’t stay there? One of two things needs to happen: either he needs to go back to Little League and get some serious baserunning help, or he needs to stop trying to steal. Completely.

Troy Tulowitzki did not have a great game, with a strikeout and a flyout in two chances. Obviously I’m not too worried about whether Tulo can pull his weight offensively, but he can’t count on the bottom of the order guys performing like they did yesterday, so generally as he goes, so goes the team. Let’s hope for a shortage of days like this.

Also Charlie Blackmon got caught stealing again. What happened to this guy’s great baserunning skills? I’m disappointed.

Next up, the Rockies visit the Dodgers for another look at what the in-division competition will be like.

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