San Diego – Ninety minutes before Tuesday’s game, the San Diego Padres held kangaroo court, a veteran decked out in a wig and robe doling out fines. Before Wednesday’s game, they passed judgment on the Rockies, posting a USA Today article about Colorado’s emphasis on Christianity and character in its rebuilding effort.
Written in pen were the words: “I guess we’re scumbags.”
If nothing else, the Padres were the slightly better team, squeezing out a 3-2 victory at Petco Park, punctuating a disappointing Rockies road trip.
Colorado left 10 days ago in first place in the NL West and returned home tied for last with the San Francisco Giants.
“We still feel good about who we are,” said first baseman Todd Helton, whose two-run homer, his first in 37 at-bats, represented the Rockies’ offense. “We had a bad trip. And we might have another one at some point. That doesn’t change the fact that we still feel like we are a good team.”
The Rockies have reinvented themselves around pitching and defense. It’s why they sit one game over .500, compared with their 15-35 record a year ago. But they continue to operate with little margin for error because of a frosty offense.
They went 2-7 on their road trip, where they averaged 1.9 runs per game. Colorado negated the month’s 3.83 ERA – the third-best mark ever – by hitting .232 in May.
That statistical burp amplifies mistakes. And explains why Wednesday’s loss gnawed at the Rockies. It seemed so avoidable. Jeff Francis was on point through five innings, surrendering just one hit. After the first two hitters in the sixth reached on a walk and Eric Young’s perfect bunt, Francis reeled off two strikeouts.
But then Josh Bard hit a flyball that locked up left fielder Matt Holliday. Holliday was torn between trying to catch the floater or keeping it in front of him. He did neither, and the ball caromed off his arm, scoring two runs.
“It’s not only hard to see during the day here because of the background,” Holliday said, “but in that situation that sort of swing is one where, ‘I think I can get it, I’m not sure I can get it.’ I backed off and got caught in between.”
Mark Bellhorn doubled moments later, and Francis exited in disbelief. He had arguably his best stuff of the season and lasted only 95 pitches.
“It’s almost like you don’t know what happened,” Francis said.
In contrast, the problem with the lineup was easy to finger. The Rockies went hitless in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position, including critical strikeouts by Cory Sullivan and Brad Hawpe. That the Padres found motivation through the Rockies’ press clippings was a peripheral issue.
“I don’t think (the USA Today) article accurately portrayed our clubhouse, but it’s something we are going to have to deal with,” pitcher Aaron Cook said. “We definitely don’t think we are better (people) than anybody else.”
The Rockies find glimmer in the big picture. In the past, this type of trip would have crippled them. Instead, they open June with a nine-game homestand, their possibilities wide open.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
