Cincinnati – It’s beginning to look as if mediocrity was disguised as prosperity.
The Rockies opened the second half as a contender. The standings said as much. But the way they have played for the past week screams something else, something troubling.
Showing more frustration than resistance, the Rockies dropped their fifth straight, losing 3-1 Friday night to the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.
A snapshot told the story of a team that is slipping dangerously at the worst possible time. In the eighth inning with two runners aboard, outfielder Brad Hawpe was called out looking by plate umpire Joe West. Hawpe flipped his bat, then slammed his helmet to the ground. West, taking the action personally, tossed Hawpe.
“It had nothing to do with Joe West. I was just mad for not getting the job done,” Hawpe said. “I reacted poorly.”
The Rockies’ anger slowly mounted for two hours as Aaron Harang toyed with their lineup.
Using a funky delivery – he hides his release point, making his 91 mph fastball appear more like a 98 mph heater – Harang didn’t allow a hit until the fifth. In two games against the Rockies this year, Harang has fanned 19 batters and allowed one run in 15 innings.
“We had our chances and I know, personally, I have to do more. Todd (Helton) and I didn’t get a hit. We need to score more runs,” all-star Matt Holliday said. “Jason (Jennings) pitched well enough to win.”
As the Rockies fell two games behind the Reds in the wild-card standings and 4½ back of the NL West-leading Padres, Jennings was left to wonder who is poking the voodoo doll. Since May 29, he has compiled a 2.10 ERA, but has only four wins to show for his work.
“You just learn not to worry about things you can’t control,” said Jennings when questioned about how he’s dealing with the poor run support. “I came to the park today to give us a chance to win and I did that.”
The Rockies’ lone run came in the eighth inning after Harang was gone. Jamey Carroll laced his second double of the night, then advanced to third on a Clint Barmes’ single.
Helton scored Carroll on a sacrifice fly.
“The important thing is that you don’t press the panic button,” Carroll said.
“But we have lost five in a row and we are on a long road trip. How we do is going to tell a lot about who we are.”
Pen problems
Before Friday’s game, manager Clint Hurdle’s worry about his bullpen graduated to “concern.” Along with pitching coach Bob Apodaca, he met with the relievers, pointing out areas where improvement was needed. It wasn’t a tongue-lashing – more of an instructional challenge.
“We have been terrible for three weeks,” said Jose Mesa, the team’s most effective setup man this season. “You can’t let it go on that long when you are in a playoff race. We have to turn it around.”
Since June 21, the Rockies’ relievers are 2-6 with a 6.84 ERA even after two scoreless innings Friday.
Help on the way?
The Rockies are actively seeking a seventh-inning reliever, though a collapse on this road trip would prevent any trade upgrade. As talks have cooled regarding Baltimore’s LaTroy Hawkins, Colorado has inquired about Kansas City’s Elmer Dessens.
The Royals have no urgency to move the right-hander because he has a modest contract for next season.
Boston’s Julian Tavarez also has been discussed internally by the Rockies.
“We are out there looking at a lot of guys,” Hurdle said.
More likely new cards will be shuffled from within, with Nate Field, Manny Corpas and Miguel Asencio candidates from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Footnotes
The Rockies have dropped seven consecutive games in Cincinnati and 10 overall in the state of Ohio. Eight of those losses have been decided by two or fewer runs….Garrett Atkins extended his hitting streak to eight games. …Harang leads the National League in strikeouts with 127, edging past the Cubs’ Carlos Zambrano, who is scheduled to start today against the Mets.
Troy Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
