Marquis throws another gem

7/6/09- Denver, CO

Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing 7 hits in route to becoming the first pitcher to win 11 games in the Major League Baseball. Marquis, coming off a complete game two-hit shut out in his last appearance, was dominate once again Monday evening. Marquis walked two and struck out three before being pulled for closer Houston Street in the 9th inning. The rockies only needed one run behind Marquis masterful pitching, to secure the 1-0 victory over the Washington nationals. Marquis, who was just named to his first All Star game has now thrown 17 consecutive scoreless innings since a rough outing against the Angels in Anaheim on June 24th in which he allowed seven earned runs over 3.1 innings. Marquis definitely is dealing right now, and is a large factor in the rockies recent success. Marquis has one more start before the all star break, facing Jair Jurrjens and the Braves at Coors Field Sunday. He will be going for a Major League best 12th win in that outing. The Rockies lone run came in the first inning when Clint Barmes scored from first on Todd Heltons double. Helton finished the game 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.

BRIGHT SPOTS: MARQUIS!!! It goes without saying that Jason Marquis has been hands down the Rox best pitcher this year. With the Rockies now 4 games over .500 and in the thick of the wild card race it is reassuring to have an ace to rely on everytime he takes the mound. Also, Todd Heltons RBI double in the first was his 54th Ribbie on the season. Rockies fans have to be happy to see Todd back on pace for over 100 RBI's this season. While Houston Street has looked strong of late, and earned his 20th save of the season.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: OFFENSE. One run on a dismal 5 hits generally does not lead to a win, and if it weren't for Marquis and Street's strong performances, probably wouldn't have today. The Rockies need to get their bats going in these last six games before the All-Star break if they want to saty in contention.

FINAL THOUGHTS: HOW NICE IT IS. Oh, how nice it is to still be in the thick of playoff contention heading into the All Star break. Colorado fans really aren't used to this, and even in the 07 World Series run the Rox weren't this much in the mix at the break. Colorado is the hottest team in baseball right now, and if it weren't for two series in LA (2-4) would be on a ridiculous tear, though it is very impressive as it stands now. If Tulo can get his bat going, and the pitching holds up, the NL better watch out. MIDDLE RELIEF. Word is honda of greeley may need a new spokesman as crowd favorite Ryan Spillborghs may be on the trading block if some decent Middle Relievers become available. With the emergence of rookies Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez, and youngster Seth Smith, Spillborghs has become a disposable fifth outfielder.

12/1/08-East Rutherford, NJ In a game in which Brett Farve and the New York Jets were heavy favorites over the Denver Broncos, the unexpected occured on more than one occasion. The Broncos, who pulled off the upset 34-17 were led by rookie fullback turned halfback Peyton Hillis and his 129 yards rushing and one TD. The game began with the Broncos offense putting up 17 points in the first quarter leading the Jets 17-7 at quarters end. The key play in the game happened on the Jets second possesion, when a botched flip on a reverse to Jericho Cotchery was fumbled. Cotchery seemed as though he recovered the fumble for a sizeable loss, when the ball squirted out and was recovered by the Broncos Vernon Fox, who returned the ball for a touchdown giving the Broncos the 7-0 lead. The Jets next play from scrimmage Thomas Jones broke a 59 yard touchdown run to tie the score. The Broncos Eddie Royal continued his quest for AFC Rookie of the Year on the Broncos next possesion. Jay Cutler found Royal on the sideline, Royal made the catch, broke a tackle, tip-toed the sideline and took the ball 59 yards to the house giving the Broncos the lead once again at 14-7. With the score at 17-7, 12:20 left in the second quarter the Jets Thomas Jones again got the call from the Broncos 29. Jones appeared to gain 7 yards and then be tackled, although Jones poped up off of a Broncos tackler and ran to the end zone, officials had never blown the play dead. Shannahan challenged the play but the ruling stood, jones never was down as he rolled on a defender not the ground.

Rockies Drop Second To Pads

5/11/08 San Diego- Sunday afternoon the Colorado Rockies suffered their second loss in a row at the hands of the San Diego Padres. After losing Saturday nights game 3 to 2 the Rockies looked to right ship against the very talented Chris Young. Young and the Padres had a different agenda as they defeated the Rox 6 to 1. The Padres accumulated six runs on eleven hits, while the Rox scored a lonely run on five hits. Khalil Green and Scott Hairston each went Yahtzee, Greens being a 2 run dong and Hairston's a solo shot. Tadahito Iguchi also carried his weight going 3 for 5 with 3 singles and a run scored. The Rockies offensive struggle was on center stage with only five hits (one each for Herrera, Atkins, Helton, Hawpe and Barmes). Atkins scored Colorado's only run when Chris Ianetta grounded into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the 7th. Colorado was down 4 to 0 going into the 7th when Atkins led the inning off with a single, consequentially Young issued consecutive walks to Hawpe and Spillborghs to load the bases with no outs. Bud Black had seen enough of Young electing to go to Cla Meredith. With Ianetta at the plate the Rockies had their best scoring opportunity, trying to cut into the 4 run deficit. Three pitches into the at bat Meredith got Ianetta swinging at a low fast ball, Ianetta grounded the ball to short stop, the Padres conceded the run electing to turn the 6-4-3 double play, putting the brakes on the what could have been Rockies rally. The Padres added one in the bottom on the inning and another in the 8th to bring the final score to 6 to 1. Young got his third win of the season to improve to a mediocre 3-3.

BRIGHT SPOTS: Rookie Jonathan Herrera notched his fourth hit of the season/his career, as well as his first ML stolen base, his batting average is up to .286. The Rockies hope and need Herrera to continue his stellar play during the absence of Troy Tulowitzki (groin).
Greg Reynolds made his Major League Debut Sunday, as the Rox search for a 5th starter in that shaky rotation. Reynolds gave up 4 earned runs in 5 and 2/3 innings allowing 6 hits. Reynolds, although giving up 4, looked decent in his debut not allowing the game to get out of control after a few shake ups, if the Rockies bats could get the job done Reynolds very well could be looking at a no decision rather than his first career loss.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Manny Corpas' struggles continued as he allowed 2 hits and an earned run in two-thirds innings.
OFFENSE! OFFENSE!! OFFENSE!!! Colorado had a very good opportunity in the 7th inning when they loaded the bases with no outs, when Ianetta grounded into a double play, bringing in one run, while deflating the rally chance. All season the Rox have seem incapable of getting the big hits in clutch situations. A double play is about the worst case scenario, and always seems to be the end result of runners in scoring position less than 2 outs this season for Colorado.

LAST THOUGHTS: Matt Holliday, who started all 162(3) games a season ago, got the day off against SD on Sunday. Ryan Spillborghs got the start in Left Field, giving the Rockies slugger some appreciated rest. With the offense in a slump it'll be be nice to see Holliday back in the Line Up on Tuesday.

WATERCOOLER: Spoke with Rockies president Keli McGregor on Saturday at graduation celebration, with little baseball talk at all, I was able to pull a thought from the Rox brass, "We are still very confident that we can still be where we want to be when (September) comes around."
Well with presidents confidence in tact, so mine remains, and with it results would be appreciated.