You can now expect rivers to flow uphill, kids to devour broccoli, and cats and dogs to share LoDo lofts.
Those with E-tickets to Hades might also want to pack a scarf and some earmuffs.
On a postcard summer Saturday evening, a confluence of factors came together to produce history in a Rockies victory – the first 1-0 game at Coors Field.
The mark came at the San Diego Padres’ expense, spanning 849 games counting the 1995 playoffs. The Philadelphia Athletics held the previous record, running 635 games from 1882-1891 at Jefferson Street Grounds.
“It’s crazy to think that it went that long,” said second baseman Aaron Miles, who scored the game’s only run on Luis Gonzalez’s sixth-inning double. “I am going to tell everyone I knew this was going to be the team to do it.”
Jason Jennings navigated seven scoreless innings and called dibs on the scorecard. He may have trouble gluing it in the scrapbook, since he still has little feeling in the middle finger on his right hand. Brian Fuentes secured the ninth and received a celebratory ice pack for an arm that unleashed 35 pitches.
“It was shaky, real shaky,” said Fuentes after the most dramatic save of his career, striking out slugger Brian Giles with the bases loaded. “I wasn’t worried about what (reporters were thinking), but what my teammates were.”
With the announced crowd of 30,228 growing restless, Fuentes rebounded from two walks, fanning Geoff Blum, after the pinch hitter failed in a bunt attempt, and Xavier Nady. Eric Young reached on an error by Gonzalez at shortstop, setting up the final confrontation with Giles. He flailed at an 89-mph, full-count fastball from the Rockies’ lone all-star, giving Fuentes his 12th save.
“I know we made history,” Padres manager Bruce Bochy said. “We were on the wrong side.”
Jennings has executed a remarkable U-turn. He is 4-2 with a 3.59 ERA over his past nine starts. He threw 109 pitches, not bad given the numbness in his finger from the third inning on. In leaping out of the way of a Brian Lawrence fastball, Jennings fell to the ground holding his bat, crushing his finger.
“It felt like I slammed it in a door,” Jennings said.
It affected his control on an estimated 12 four-seam fastballs but not his sinker, which produced three timely double plays.
“I thought we were going to have to get him at any time,” trainer Keith Dugger said. “He did a great job battling through it.”
That competitiveness is one of the reasons contenders, hard up for young, affordable starters, like Jennings.
Two teams have called. As many as a dozen have interest, a group expected to include the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Rockies listen but do little else.
The past seven months, Jennings has evolved into a franchise cornerstone, given a two-year, $6.9 million contract and the responsibility of anchoring the rotation. He holds the record for Coors Field victories (26) and made history Saturday.
“Sure, I get extra satisfaction. I hope the Rockies and the front office know I am capable of games like this,” Jennings said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with trades, but if they like me and make me part of the future, I am fine with that.”
Rockies recap
Brad Hawpe slid into pain Saturday night. Attempting to break up a fifth-inning double play, he strained his left hamstring. Hawpe will be evaluated over the next five days before determining if a stint on the DL is necessary. He has enjoyed a successful homestand before the injury, going 8-for-21 with a home run. “I changed my approached this year to cover the outer half of the plate. That’s where everyone is pitching me,” said Hawpe, expected to be given a shot against more left-handed pitchers in the season’s second half.
SEAY IMPROVES: Bobby Seay left Friday’s outing with numbness in his thumb caused by pregame bunting practice. Seay did not suffer cartilage damage. “I don’t think it’s anything serious. I just couldn’t grip the ball that night,” Seay said. Seay’s status could be affected, however, if left-hander Joe Kennedy is shifted to the bullpen.
KIM IN PAIN: Byung-Hyun Kim will be available to pitch out of the bullpen today despite a lingering toothache.
MAKING HIS PITCH: Jose Acevedo made his second rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs. He could provide depth if Kennedy or Chacon are traded.
