New York – What happens in Vegas, pays in Vegas.
Think back to spring training, to the wise guys at the Hilton. The world’s largest sports book set the Rockies’ over-under for wins at 67, worst in the big leagues. Colorado players took exception to the prediction, believing they had a chance to contend in the National League West.
They entered Thursday’s game with 66 victories, needing a season-ending split to make winners of their supporters.
“I guess there is going to be a lot of people watching with interest,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
If the Rockies are lucky, the Colorado State-Air Force game captivated the state’s attention. There was nothing redeemable about an 11-0 thrashing by the New York Mets, other than Tom Glavine providing a reminder of why he’s headed to the Hall of Fame.
“No shot,” said Rockies outfielder Dustan Mohr when asked about his team’s chances against the left-hander. “He threw 122 pitches and didn’t miss on one. That pretty much says it all right there.”
Glavine has a history of mauling the Rockies. The last time he faced them at Shea Stadium 16 months ago, he carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Kit Pellow doubled off the right-field wall, sparing the indignity.
On a cool Thursday evening, Glavine might have been even better.
He eclipsed 210 innings – which vested a $10.5 million salary for next season – for the 13th time in his career. No Rockies pitcher has surpassed 200 innings in back-to-back seasons. In his 275th victory, Glavine surrendered two hits and finished with 11 strikeouts, his most since 1998.
“I can’t explain the (strikeouts). It usually takes me three starts to get that many,” said Glavine, who traced his 2.22 ERA since the break to his willingness to throw more cut-fastballs. “I kept them off balance and got a lot of swings and misses.”
Taking a pair from the Mets seemed more realistic than ambitious when the groggy Rockies arrived at Shea Stadium. They had swiped a series from the Atlanta Braves, even if some champagne was sprayed at their expense. And Sunny Kim, five days removed from arguably the finest performance ever by a Rockie at Coors Field, was on the mound.
Kim bore no resemblance to Saturday’s ace. The Mets flogged the right-hander for nine hits and seven runs in five innings, tagging him with his first loss as a Rockie.
David Wright smashed the first of his two home runs off Kim, and Mike Piazza, whom the team will honor Sunday in likely his final game as a Met, smashed a 450-shot in the fifth that came within inches of leaving the stadium.
Distraction sat at the root of Kim’s disappointment. Normally sound with a bat, Kim sabotaged his bid for victory with a botched third-inning bunt, failure that infected his mind.
“I messed it up and when I went back to pitch I was thinking about it,” Kim said. “I feel so, so bad.”
Kim’s mistake amplified the importance of the final weekend. Win two and the Rockies not only stick it to the odds makers, but avoid tying the worst record in franchise history.
For now, in their state of transition, these qualify as meaningful games in September.
“We aren’t going to be happy if we prove (Vegas) wrong because we are in last place,” catcher Todd Greene said.
“It’s just important that we finish strong.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
