New York – The empty expressions and quiet frustration are back. Three weeks is not a long time. But since the Rockies left spring training, they have lost their swagger, leaving them searching for answers.
Their offense has gone MIA, their pitchers have gone MRI. On a cool Tuesday night, the Rockies suffered a 2-1 loss in 12 innings, extending a streak of futility at Shea Stadium that conjures up memories of the 1962 Mets.
Since 2002, the Rockies are 2-17 in Queens. They have been shut out six times. This loss, though, was different. The Rockies were heartbroken, not humiliated, closer Brian Fuentes’ first blown save arriving at the worst possible time.
Fuentes’ misstep in the 10th put Endy Chavez in position to put his foot on the Rockies’ throat in the 12th. Ryan Speier, part of the remodeled late-inning bridge with LaTroy Hawkins and Ramon Ramirez on the disabled list, stood between him and another Mets victory. Shawn Green sat at third, advanced by a sacrifice bunt and balk. Jose Reyes, walked, stood at second base.
The roll call commenced – “En-Dee Cha-Vez!” But before it could reverberate through the stadium, Chavez executed a terrific drag bunt. It scooted just beyond Speier’s reach. He dove and from his knees tried to deflect the ball toward first baseman Todd Helton, but by that time Chavez was crossing the bag with arms raised in triumph.
The mosh pit at first base served as a cruel reminder of spoiled brilliance.
Aaron Cook had fired seven scoreless innings, grinding through a twisted left ankle to match zeroes with Mets starter Orlando Hernandez. Rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki delivered his biggest hit since helping topple the Arizona Diamondbacks on the second day of the season. The Rockies’ dugout erupted as his 10th-inning RBI triple off Mets closer Billy Wagner squeezed just beyond center fielder Carlos Beltran’s reach.
Players pumped their fists and shouted praise to the kid. The jubilation quickly morphed into disbelief. After two quick outs that offered no hint of trouble, Fuentes center cut a 92-mph fastball to Damion Easley, who crushed it 400 feet over the center-field fence for the Mets’ first pinch-hit home run of the season.
Fuentes pounded his glove in disgust. He had retired 22 of the previous 23 batters faced before Easley’s home run. Ultimately, the Rockies were undone by a 40-foot roller, a putt that leaves them in a chilling April hole.
Staff writer Troy E. Renckcan be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
