Phoenix – Matt Holliday walked past first base Tuesday night – teeth clenched, temples pulsating – and showed his frustration with remarkable strength. He ripped his batting glove to shreds, pulling it apart so fast it appeared he was taking tape off his wrists.
Moments earlier, he had grounded into a bases-loaded double play, dousing a ripe scoring threat. Nothing better symbolized the Rockies’ 4-5 record entering tonight’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks than the shards of white leather strewn in the Dodger Stadium outfield.
If the Rockies are to contend, they must be a little more MacGyver-like when the alarms are blaring. MacGyver used science and wits to solve problems. The Rockies would settle for a few runs and hits in close games.
They are 2-4 in games decided by two runs or less this season, after going 32-43 in that category a year ago, second- worst in the National League.
“Our mistakes are going to get blown out of proportion a little more if we don’t win the one-run games,” pitcher Jason Hirsh said. “I’m not saying that to put extra pressure on us. But if you look back at the end of the year and we have less- than-positive results in low- scoring games, then it probably won’t be a good year.”
Hirsh’s point is well taken when analyzing the statistics. The Rockies won 76 games last year but were deprived of meaningful September baseball because they went 4-11 in games decided by two or less runs in the division. White- knuckle moments separate the ruling class from the proletariat.
Outfielder Brad Hawpe cautioned those painting the Rockies with the broad “Here- They-Go-Again” brush.
“I think we are going to be fine. Our pitching is good enough to keep us in games all year and we have a lineup that’s going to hit,” Hawpe said. “It’s been one, two, three games. There’s a hundred and sixty-two. We are going to have enough offense.”
That it hasn’t shown up on this road trip is frustrating because it has spoiled good pitching. The Rockies’ starters have posted a 2.27 ERA, a number muted by the team’s .184 batting average and 47 strikeouts with runners in scoring position.
“It’s the next step for us, the most difficult step and the one right in front of us,” said manager Clint Hurdle about his hitters’ need to come up with big hits in the clutch.
Footnotes
LaTroy Hawkins will wear No. 42 Sunday in tribute to Jackie Robinson, but his jersey requires an adjustment. The initial one had Hawkins’ name on the back. Those wearing jerseys to honor Robinson, including the entire Dodgers team, will not feature names. … Pitcher Brian Lawrence arrived in Phoenix on Thursday and will discuss his future with the team today. He’s eligible to come off the DL on Monday, his goal since he agreed to make only two Triple-A rehab starts. … The Rockies won’t face Randy Johnson, who won’t return until Thursday.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
