With a game-time temperature of 58 degrees, there was a touch of autumn in the misty air Saturday night. But this was no fall classic for the Rockies.
On a night when the Rockies played the 1,000th home game in franchise history, they desperately needed someone to drive in some runs.
Alas, Mr. October in August was nowhere to be found.
The Rockies stranded 15 base runners – two short of the franchise high – in their 8-0 loss to Washington. It was the first time this season, and the first time in 99 games, that Colorado was shut out at home. The last time was a 4-0 loss to San Francisco on July 17, 2004. In fact, the Rockies have been shut out at Coors Field just six times in their history.
The Rockies made more negative history Saturday night. Although they pounded out 13 hits, they failed to score a run. Never had the Rockies had that many hits yet failed to cross home plate. In fact, only two teams – the New York Giants (15 hits in 1913) and the Cleveland Indians (16 in 1928) – have had more hits in a game while failing to score a run.
“Just about everybody in the lineup had an opportunity,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “Sometimes this game is hard to play, and right now it’s hard on us offensively.
“It’s not for a lack of preparation, but there comes a point and time when you have to find a way to get things done, and we aren’t getting things done. This is our park. You need to take it personal.”
The Rockies dropped their third straight and lost for the fourth time in five games. A homestand that began with a doubleheader sweep against Florida on Monday has quickly turned into a desperate search for offense.
“We just can’t get too excited and try to do too much when guys get on base,” Todd Helton said. “This happens sometimes when you get down early. Guys are trying to get a hit to get us back in the game. You just have to relax and let the game come to you.”
But Helton admitted he, too, is guilty of pressing at the plate with runners in scoring position. Despite a 2-for-5 performance Saturday, Helton failed to drive in a run. Larry Bigbie led off with a single and then moved to second on Aaron Miles’ single. But Helton grounded into a double play and the Rockies, outscored 97-46 in the first inning this season, wasted a rare chance to take a first-inning lead.
Of course, Nationals starter Tony Armas Jr. should get some credit. Although he gave up nine hits in six innings, he threw his best stuff when he got in trouble.
“Hey, the guy throws a shutout, you have to give the guy credit,” Helton said.
On a night when the Rockies hit 1-for-15 with men in scoring position, there were multiple blown chances. For instance, Bigbie struck out with men on second and third in the second.
In the third, with one out, Garrett Atkins flied out with the bases loaded. Then Omar Quintanilla lined out to end the threat. Three hits and nothing to show for it.
In the ninth, the Rockies could have scored a face-saving run, but with men on second and third, JD Closser fouled out and Atkins struck out looking to end the game.
Obviously, this young Rockies team needs a clutch player.
“I think the guys are in place, but you have to go do it,” Hurdle said.
“You can’t talk about doing it, and you can’t hope for them to do it. We need offensively for some guys to get in place and get this thing rolling. There is no doubt about that.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
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Rockies recap
Helton’s double threat: to teams and record book
Todd Helton has been double trouble for pitchers ever since coming into the National League. In the fifth inning Saturday night, the Rockies first baseman scorched a double to the top of the right-center field fence. It was his third double in his past two games and his 30th of the season. Since 1900, only four other players have had more than seven consecutive seasons with 35 or more doubles. If Helton gets 35 this year, it will be his eighth consecutive season. The all-time leader is Tris Speaker, who did it nine seasons in a row from 1919-27.
STARTER TROUBLE: For the third straight game, the Rockies got little mileage out of their starting pitcher. Byung-Hyun Kim lasted five innings Saturday night against Washington. He gave up six runs on nine hits, and by the end of three innings the Rockies trailed 4-0. It’s a troubling pattern. Friday night against the Nationals, with Jamey Wright on the mound, the Rockies trailed 3-0 after just four batters. Thursday afternoon, Pittsburgh knocked Jeff Francis off the hill in a hurry. In 3 1/3 innings, he allowed 13 hits and gave up eight earned runs.
VINNY’S NIGHT: Former Rockie and fan favorite Vinny Castilla got a big hand when he came to the plate in the second inning. He promptly smashed an RBI double off the wall in right-center field.
