Los Angeles – The idea that the Rockies entered Wednesday a .500 team seemed preposterous given their starters’ 2.52 ERA. They have missed opportunities for victories, in large part, because they have missed too many pitches.
The Rockies’ 71 strikeouts were the most in baseball, ahead of the Kansas City Royals (65). That provides insight about why they held a brief hitters-only meeting before the series finale.
“Myself, I know that I have struck out too much,” said all-star left fielder Matt Holliday, who fanned with the bases loaded in the first inning Wednesday. “I am not happy about it.”
Beginning in spring training, the Rockies stressed the importance of establishing an offensive identity. The message: Work the gaps and make productive outs. Though the sample size is small, Colorado has shown progress with runners in scoring position, an eyesore last season, hitting .286 in its first 70 at-bats.
At issue is the lack of power with men on base. The Rockies haven’t hit a home run with runners in scoring position and are batting just .205 overall on this road trip, a deceptive number, according to hitting instructor Alan Cockrell.
“What I think has happened is that we hit a dozen or so more balls on the screws in San Diego and had nothing to show for it,” Cockrell said. “I will remind them that we are going to be better in the long haul if we stick with our approach. We’re possibly trying to do too much.”
Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, replaced Wednesday by Jamey Carroll, leads the team with 11 strikeouts. Leadoff hitter Willy Taveras, who has 10 strikeouts, is starting to show signs of rebounding. He has widened his stance, freeing his hands to dominate the swing.
“His speed with (Kaz) Matsui puts so much pressure on the other team,” Garrett Atkins said. “We know we will get it going. It’s just a shame to waste good pitching.”
Catching up with Tsao
Chin-Hui Tsao spent part of Wednesday signing autographs for Dodgers fans. In Los Angeles, he is playing for a franchise that debuted the first Taiwanese player. Tsao, however, admitted that he was open to remaining with the Rockies after missing last season while recovering from shoulder and biceps tendon surgery.
“It got to January, and they hadn’t made a contract offer. I told my agent I wanted to get signed,” Tsao said. “I was really excited to face the Rockies, my old teammates and friends.”
