Seattle – The achievement was measured by press box announcements.
Rockies pitcher Josh Fogg didn’t just topple the Seattle Mariners in a 2-0 complete game, he mesmerized them with smoke, mirrors and magic that will be remembered in the record books.
The victory took just 1 hour, 52 minutes, marking the fastest game in Rockies’ history and the quickest at Safeco Field. It also will go down as the first night day game for the Rockies.
“The sun was still out when we finished. It was unbelievable how fast it went,” said catcher Yorvit Torrealba, whose knowledge of his former teammates played a pivotal role in the pitch selection. “It was big for him.”
The efficiency was stunning, drawing comparisons to old-school Greg Maddux. Fogg faced the minimum number of hitters, allowing just two hits in his first complete game shutout in the big leagues. He threw 91 pitches, 58 for strikes, as the Rockies’ starters improved to 9-1 with a 2.43 ERA in interleague play.
“I hope to pitch in the postseason someday, but this ranks up there with my first game ever as far as career highlights go,” Fogg said. “It was important to come in here and win the first game of the series.”
At 41-38, the Rockies remained tied for second place with the Dodgers, one game behind the Padres, who rallied to beat the Giants, preventing a four-way tie for first place in the National League West.
Fogg’s effort blindsided the Mariners in its brilliance. He had worked seven innings only once all season. But he didn’t veer from his script of locating all of his pitches down in the strike zone – “It was right out of the pitching manual,” coach Bob Apodaca said – while throwing his changeup in all counts. Manager Clint Hurdle called it one of the best games he’s ever seen a Rockies pitcher throw.
The Mariners didn’t argue.
“His fastball and slider had a late break and that’s why they weren’t easy to hit,” said Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima after the Rockies improved to an NL-best 10-3 in interleague play. “And that slow changeup was hard to (lay off).”
Fogg has repeatedly responded to challenges this season when it looked like his grip on a rotation spot was slipping. Ubaldo Jimenez was called up to Triple-A this week and represents the latest threat to Fogg’s job security. But as fifth starters go, Fogg has had a decent season, going 6-5 with a 4.58 ERA.
All the support Fogg required Friday came courtesy of an RBI single from Jamey Carroll and Brad Hawpe’s 15th home run.
“They are lucky Josh didn’t have this kind of game in Los Angeles,” reliever Ray King joked. “Those (late-arriving) fans would have missed the first six innings. It was a great game for him and the team.”
Minors manager mocked
It was only a matter of time before somebody capitalized on Joe Mikulik’s meltdown. The manager of the Rockies’ Class-A affiliate in Asheville went nuclear last week, throwing bases, bats and a general fit. Where the country saw aggression, the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets saw a promotion. Their Sept. 3 game against Asheville will serve as “Anger Management Night.” There will be a base-throwing contest, and fans will receive free stress balls to squeeze.
The Rockies have asked Mikulik to not comment on the promotion. At least one Asheville club official said he was fine with the idea, realizing that it represents the spirit of minor-league baseball’s creative marketing.
Footnotes
Looking to provide a slight breather for Matt Holliday, manager Clint Hurdle inserted the slugger as his DH on Friday. The move paid off defensively, as Ryan Spilborghs made a nifty sliding grab of an Ichiro Suzuki line drive to begin the game. … Tom Martin provided a moment of levity for the Seattle fans as five relievers followed him to the bullpen before the game like toy soldiers, copying his every move. “I didn’t know they were doing it at first. It was funny.”
