The Rockies and Cincinnati Reds are viewed more as teases than good teams. They collided on a soggy Wednesday night as first-place clubs with the baseball world waiting for someone to scream, “April Fools.”
Their similarities are striking. Both were picked to sublet their division basements. Both were dogged by questions surrounding their pitching: the Rockies were thought to have a thin rotation, the Reds a flawed bullpen. Both are missing their top stars, Todd Helton and Ken Griffey Jr. absent until later this week.
For those searching for this year’s feel- good story or perhaps just a bandwagon to jump on, Coors Field was the place to be. Jeff Francis served to illuminate the difference between the clubs, combining with two relievers in a 3-0 victory, the Rockies’ first shutout of the Reds.
“There was a little extra with the teams in first place,” Francis said after winning his first game of the season, “but I couldn’t let that get in the way of my focus and try to pitch all nine innings at once.”
At this point in past seasons, the Rockies usually were confronted with their recent ugly history, trying to convince themselves they were better than their record. Grim reminders in the clubhouse are a thing of the past, replaced by an opportunistic offense and sprouting confidence.
The Rockies are atop the National League West for the seventh straight day. The bread crumbs to this victory led back to Francis. In his third consecutive solid start, he worked seven innings – surrendering four hits and one walk.
He blended a sinker, which he has incorporated more this season, four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup, facing just five batters over the minimum.
“He kind of sneaks up on you,” said Reds outfielder Quinton McCracken. “Even if you have an average fastball, it doesn’t matter if you have a great changeup. He was able to keep guys off balance.”
Two at-bats illustrated Francis’ growth, and demonstrated why general manager Dan O’Dowd left the Rockies’ clubhouse so encouraged by his performance. Francis twice ran counts to 3-0 before recording easy outs, including one against blistering Brandon Phillips.
“What that shows to me is maturity, that he’s still committed to throwing his pitch,” said shortstop Jamey Carroll, who performed well defensively on a sloppy track. “That’s a sign of confidence, especially against a team that came in here with (the best record in baseball).”
A single offensive burst made a winner of Francis. In the fifth inning, center fielder Choo Freeman singled, swiped second and scored on Danny Ardoin’s line drive to center. It represented Ardoin’s first RBI this season, coming in his 56th at-bat.
“It feels good to contribute,” Ardoin said. “I did a lot of soul-searching in Atlanta. I reminded myself that this game is about having fun. I had fun tonight, especially catching Jeff.”
Matt Holliday, who has raised his average from .235 to .281 over the past seven games, delivered a two-run double, widening the lead to 3-0. The only thing left to be determined was Francis’ line.
Would he be given a chance to post a shutout? Rockies manager Clint Hurdle decided against it, sensing Francis was tiring slightly and wanting to get work for Jose Mesa and Brian Fuentes, who will miss the next two games while tending to a family matter.
“Jeff made it look easy tonight,” Hurdle said. “And it’s not an easy game.”
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
