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Reaction To The Colorado Rockies’ Blowout Loss

By Bobby DeMuro

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Apr 20, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman Rafael Ynoa (43) and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) and first baseman Justin Morneau (33) watch during the fifth inning as a pitcher warmup against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies got their brains beat in by the San Diego Padres on Monday night, no thanks to a bad start by Jorge De La Rosa and no production from the offense. 

What can we say about the Rockies’ first game on the seven-game homestand? It was cold and damp outside, there were about 1,000 people in the stands, and it was… ugly.

Hey, losses like this happen. Move on to the next one, because with six more games on the homestand, the Rockies can still easily go 5-2 if they play good baseball.

What’s up with Nolan Arenado?

Nolan Arenado was scratched from the lineup just before the game with a wrist issue.

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Apparently, he injured his wrist during batting practice, and the Rockies felt it prudent to hold him out, perhaps considering the cold temperatures, too.

Hopefully this is nothing, but it bears keeping an eye on to see how soon Arenado can get back in the lineup.

Rafael Ynoa got a hit and drove in a run in his place at third base, but obviously Ynoa isn’t a long-term replacement to the Gold Glove Award winner.

What’s up with Corey Dickerson?

Corey Dickerson was removed in the middle of the game after grounding out and jogging lightly to first base. No word as of press time if Dickerson’s been injured, or if he was removed because the game was out of reach, or what.

For what it’s worth, he did deal with lower back tightness throughout Spring Training. It’s pure speculation, but it’s not inconceivable the weather may have affected him in some way.

UPDATE, 9:11 PM: Here’s the word on Dickerson:

Jorge De La Rosa Was… Not Good

De La Rosa allowed nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits and a walk across just two innings of work. He struck out three and threw 33 strikes (53 total pitches). He wasn’t good; he got hit hard immediately, starting with the second pitch of the game that Wil Myers drove back through the middle for a line drive single.

That being said, though, what a tough day to begin your season after a rehab assignment. A 52-degree start that got to 40 degrees as the night progressed can’t be fun weather to pitch in for anybody, regardless of their prowess at Coors Field. That can’t and shouldn’t be an excuse for De La Rosa’s miserable outing, but damn, it was snowing on that field just 48 hours earlier.

Christian Friedrich Pitched Better Than His Line

Friedrich ended up allowing three runs on four hits in two innings (no walks, two strikeouts), and tossed 34 strikes in 45 pitches.

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That 45 pitches is a season high for him, and the Rockies left him in a couple batters too long.

After tossing 2.2 scoreless innings, he allowed back-to-back hits by Wil Myers and Derek Norris to bring in two runs, and then Norris scored off LaTroy Hawkins after Friedrich’s removal.

Hindsight’s 20/20, but so are pitch counts for middle relievers; take Friedrich out and let Hawkins face even just Myers, and Christian’s outing is ideal. Hawkins only ended up throwing a third of an inning, anyways. As it stood, Friedrich still did really well until sputtering at the very end.

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The Rockies are now 7-6, and they have six more games remaining on this homestand before heading out on the road again next week.

They can still win at least four or five here in Denver and assert themselves at home, which they’ve failed to do so far this year at just 1-3 after their first four tilts in Denver.

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