The brilliance that propelled the Rockies through the first six weeks of the season has gradually given way to ugliness. After two weeks of miserable results, it’s no longer fair to characterize this as a slump, hiccup or speed bump.
They are in a dangerous freefall, desperate for somebody to pull the rip cord. The Rockies dropped their sixth consecutive game Monday night, offering little resistance in a 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“Anytime you go through a stretch like this, it’s time for concern,” reliever Ray King said. “It’s not time for panic, but it’s definitely time for a gut check.”
That Monday was $1 hot dog night proved especially cruel with most wandering around Coors Field wondering, “Where’s the beef?” The Rockies went from being unable to score to struggling to make contact. Pirates starter Ian Snell, in establishing a career high, struck out 10 of the 23 batters he faced.
It was symbolic of the Rockies’ offensive futility over the past two weeks. They have dropped 11 of their past 13 games, going from the National League West penthouse to holding up couch springs, lodged firmly in last place.
Fans, who opened their arms to this team in April, lost patience on a warm summer evening. When Garrett Atkins struck out to end the sixth with a runner on third, boos rained down. Omar Quintanilla, hitting leadoff for the first time, also drew scorn after his third strikeout and a double-play groundball.
“They expect more from us, and they should,” said outfielder Brad Hawpe, who went 3-for-4 with a triple. “I don’t sense the guys in here panicking. We all have confidence. If you don’t have that, then you don’t belong in the big leagues.”
Manager Clint Hurdle talked before the game about the importance of slowing the game down, particularly with runners in scoring position. Todd Helton, showing signs of breaking out, said the team needs to draw more walks and work the count more. Usually the longer a pitcher labors, the more vulnerable he is to a mistake.
The Rockies, though, have been unable to deliver a counter punch, particularly with no traction at the top of the lineup. Jamey Carroll is expected to hit first today as Hurdle attempts to awake a dormant offense.
In a paralyzing 13-game stretch that is threatening to call their previous accomplishments into question, the Rockies have been outscored 68-24 and hit just .224 (94-for-419).
Even more troubling are the opponents. Florida swept them while holding the title as the National League’s worst team. Pittsburgh claimed a victory Monday after arriving in Denver with a baseball-worst 4-22 road record. The difference was their slight offense. The Pirates scored three runs with two outs, the type of timely hit sorely lacking in the Rockies’ feeble attack.
“We are still a good team. It’s just a bad stretch,” Helton said. “Maybe some guys are pressing. But we are going to get through this.”
The question is whether the pitching will be there when the Rockies do.
Too often during this run, Colorado has spoiled a starter’s evening by stringing together zeroes. Aaron Cook (5-6) surrendered a season-high five earned runs and dropped below .500.
“I am not trying to pitch away from contact to be perfect. That’s what got me into trouble in 2003,” Cook said. “I just gave up way too many hits tonight. I am better than that.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
