The Rockies wandered back in from their team photo Saturday afternoon, smiling and laughing.
It was the perfect metaphor for their season: Who would have pictured this?
Deep into May, the Rockies rank as one of baseball’s most pleasant surprises. It speaks to their pleasant start that wins are no longer the story. It’s the method.
Colorado trumped the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 at Coors Field, relying on baseball principles older than Cy Young’s socks. They pitched and played defense.
Jeff Francis didn’t surrender a hit through five innings. Outfielders Brad Hawpe and Matt Holliday helped dispose of two runners at the plate in the sixth. For those fans who have watched this team for 14 years, it’s hard to digest.
In fact, make sure the Grape-Nuts are well-chewed before reading this: The Rockies’ road ERA is 4.08. Their home ERA is 4.08.
What’s next, the Platte River flowing uphill?
“Every day we believe we can win because of our pitching,” said first baseman Todd Helton, whose team has held opponents to four runs or fewer in 12 of 22 home games. “And that’s a good feeling.”
The Rockies have a modest group of players. They aren’t loaded with all-stars, though it would be a surprise if at least two don’t receive the honor this year. They aren’t muscle-bound or particularly fleet of foot. Yet they continue to outrun their past, sitting a half-game behind the National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We are not a perfect club,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “You can shoot holes into us from a scouting perspective. But collectively they work well together.”
A perfect example occurred in the sixth inning. Francis’ magic carpet ride hit some turbulence. He surrendered his first hit 78 minutes after his first pitch, a blooper to left field by Aaron Hill. John McDonald followed with a single.
It’s in these moments little things matter for a team that doesn’t mash.
Pinch-hitter Eric Hinske smoked a ball to right field, scoring Hill. Hawpe, who provided a two-RBI triple earlier, fired to second in attempt to retire Hinske, but as shortstop Clint Barmes caught the ball he heard second baseman Jamey Carroll scream “Four!” If Carroll doesn’t speak, the inning arguably unravels.
Instead, Barmes unleashed a strike to the plate, easily erasing McDonald.
“Jamey is great with communication,” Barmes said. “I am sure I would have hesitated and probably not got him if he doesn’t say anything.”
With the crowd still humming over the play, Holliday threw out Hinske to end the threat. Danny Ardoin provided the punctuation mark by blocking the plate.
Francis lowered his ERA to 3.07 with his third win in four starts, brilliantly spotting his fastball on the corner against right-handers, while using his secondary pitches in hitters’ counts.
“I have just made a bigger effort to be more aggressive,” Francis said.
As wins mount, it has become increasingly hard to believe the Rockies will vanish. Not when they do it with pitching and defense.
