San Diego – This was going to be a story about the Rockies’ newfound focus on command, pitch efficiency and ‘ ability to start a trend.
No more walks, no more pitches that need a compass to find home plate.
“We all know it’s something that we have to improve,” pitcher said.
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ROCKIES WRAP
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It was going to be a good story – until the Rockies retreated to their tired, old plot line Monday night, one made slightly more troubling by ‘s strained left groin injury.
During a 5-4 loss, Francis was just wild enough to spoil his outing and the offense was just tame enough not to save him.
The Padres practically begged for an offensive blackout, their lineup so far into the depth chart that it reached Triple-A Portland. Jesse Garcia manned shortstop and backup catcher Miguel Ojeda played left.
The most telling at-bat in front of the smallest announced crowd – 20,966 – in Petco Park history belonged to leadoff hitter Adam Hyzdu, a journeyman. Acquired from Boston during spring training for Blane Neal – a trade that triggered Byun-Hyun Kim’s arrival in Colorado – Hyzdu received a rare start for a team riddled with injuries.
Hyzdu trotted to the plate in the second inning with the bases loaded and two out. He was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, but given a chance to correct the statistical boil because of Francis’ three walks in the inning.
After falling behind 2-0, Francis tried to sneak an 89-mph fastball by Hyzdu, who smashed a 330-foot foul ball. Another heater followed that Hyzdu never came close to hitting. That left a 2-2 count with the game hanging in the balance. Francis elected to throw a third consecutive fastball.
Hyzdu crushed a bases-clearing double down the left-field line.
The Rockies lead baseball in walks and added five more in their sixth consecutive loss.
“The walks aren’t ticking me off, because there’s not a darn thing I can do about it. And there’s not a darn thing their eight teammates behind them can, either,” said manager Clint Hurdle, relaying the content of his pregame meeting with the staff. “It inflates pitch counts and limits their opportunities for success.”
Typical of their road losses – they have dropped 11 of 12 away from Coors Field – Colorado had a chance to win even without Wilson, who is expected to miss the rest of this series.
, in his best game of the season, smoked an RBI double in the fifth to go along with his second home run. But with a chance to swing the outcome, the Rockies’ blundered in the seventh. After singled, he stole second. It was aggression that defines him, but moments later bit him.
With up, Barmes was thrown out at third for the second out.
“I got a bad read. It was stupid,” Barmes said.
That left Trevor Hoffman standing between the Rockies and a magical comeback, never a good idea.
Hoffman exited to a standing ovation.
Troy Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
Rockies Recap
Barmes’ confidence peaking after hot April
fielded the question as easily as a slow groundball.
“What did I learn in the first month? I proved to myself that I can play at this level,” Barmes said.
Barmes, who doubled and scored in the fifth inning, was voted baseball’s rookie of the month. Barmes hit .410, the second-highest average April ever for a rookie, with 53 total bases and 20 runs.
CHACON NOT WORRIED: doesn’t believe he fell into a speed trap. His velocity – which normally tops at 93 mph – surfaced as an issue after his fastball ranged between 83-85 mph during the first three innings Sunday before topping out at 89 mph in the fifth.
“I don’t concern myself with how hard I am throwing. It’s about executing pitches,” said Chacon, who added that he was fine physically.
MOHR WEIGHS IN ON RINCON: Dustan Mohr expressed surprise at the news that former Twins teammate Juan Rincon had violated the league’s drug policy. “Ever since A-ball, he was nasty,” Mohr said. “He certainly would have been one of the last guys I thought of to test positive.”
