Ron Chenoy-USA Today Sports
The Colorado Rockies continue to struggle in the games they are supposed to win. Saturday would add to the apparent epidemic as they dropped the second of three to the San Diego Padres in Colorado. An MLB season is a long one and October seems light years away at this juncture, but one cannot help wondering how bad some of these home games versus below .500 ball clubs will cost the Rockies.
There were very few news-worthy stories during the Saturday game in Colorado. Rockies rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado would add another first to his impressive first year resume hitting his first career triple in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dexter Fowler would continue his recent hot streak adding a couple hits and scoring a run. Other than that, the Rockies box score more resembled binary code with a plethora of ones and zeros.
There would, however, be plenty of news in Colorado Saturday, most coming before the first pitch. In multiple roster moves, the Rockies designated Jon Garland for assignment to make room for Jeff Francis. What does this mean for Colorado? Tyler Chatwood fans finally get their wish; the 23-year-old hurler looks to be a permanent member of the Rockies starting rotation.
Colorado also sent Josh Outman to Colorado Springs and brought Tyler Colvin on board for more depth in the Rockies outfield. The Colorado outfield has resembled the walking wounded of late. Carlos Gonzalez left Friday’s game with a leg injury, Fowler missed a pair for migraines, and Michael Cuddyer sat out his second consecutive for Colorado Saturday.
Finally, the Rockies learned they would be without the services of closer Rafael Betancourt until at least July. The Rockies bullpen has been a key ingredient to their successful season to this point; the loss of Betancourt is certainly not good news.
That said the bullpen again stepped up despite tough odds Saturday. After giving up four runs in the first four innings, Francis made his early exit in the fourth. However, San Diego wouldn’t score again because of solid outings from Adam Ottavino, Manny Corpas and Rex Brothers.
Juan Nicasio will take the mound for the Rockies versus Padres’ hurler Clayton Richard in the finale of the four game series in Colorado. This is another home game versus a below .500 team, the Rockies have to start taking advantage of these situations. If not, eventually it will catch up to them as the season trudges on.
Jim Heath is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_heath, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
