Rockies make franchise (futility) history

It’s now official, ladies and gentleman. The Rockies lost tonight to the Dodgers 3-0 and in turn lost their 96th game of the season, which is a new franchise worst for futility, breaking the old record of 95 losses set in 1993 and 2005.

Jim Tracy has managed the Rockies to their worst ever season with 96 losses, and 4 games still remain. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

After pounding the Cubs at the plate at home in their last series, where in every game they had 10+ hits and scored 10, 6 and 7 runs respectively, the Rockies have gone to LA and promptly been shutout for 18 innings and have lost yet another road series. With 4 games left, the Rockies(62-96) are still on pace to lose 100 games and really place this year in infamy.

Tyler Chatwood started tonight and was fairly decent, however as his pitch count went up so did his control and he started to walk Dodger batters. His only real bad pitch was a mis-placed fastball to Matt Kemp, who put that offering over the fence some 461 feet, an amazing feat considering that balls don’t usually fly that far at Chavez Ravine at night. As usual for a Rockies starter, Chatwood could not get past the 4th inning.

Chatwood: 4 IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 ER, 2 walks, 4 K’s, 74 pitches, 46 strikes.

Jim Tracy decided tonight would be a great night to run his preferred situational pitching system. After Chatwood left, he called up no less than 6 Rockies relievers to finish up the game – in order Josh Outman, Edgmer Escalona, Rex Brothers, Josh Roenicke (who faced one batter, Kemp, who hit his second solo HR of the evening (and his second multi-homer game of the season, last time was April 14 versus the Padres) putting the Dodgers up 3-0), Matt Reynolds and finally Carlos Torres.

Tracy might have felt compelled to do this again as the Rockies offense was again stagnant. The Dodgers Joe Blanton was totally in control and the Rockies could only manage singles. In fact only one runner made it to 2nd base against him.

Blanton: 6 IP, 7 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, 0 walks, 6 K’s.

The Rockies Jorge De La Rosa (0-1, 9.45 ERA) goes to the mound tomorrow and will try to help the Rockies avoid the sweep and prevent loss #97, and officially break the curse of the run to 100 losses. He will face the Dodgers Josh Beckett (1-3, 3.16 ERA). The Dodgers still have a outside shot to earn the second wild card in the NL, as after tonight they trail the St. Louis Cardinals by 2 games with 4 games left.