Phoenix – Four weeks is not a long time. But since April 20, the Rockies have gone from an intriguing team to a ripe target. Columnists and talk show hosts are fed up, calling for new ownership. And fans have used blogs to question everything from the manager’s leadership to the players’ ability to make a big pitch or hit in the clutch.
The increased public pressure and the deepening hole in the standings has created the perception that this is a now-or-never road trip. That a continued slide would lead to scapegoats, even as ownership declines to return calls about the slump.
On Tuesday night, the Rockies responded to the challenge, claiming a nervy 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Following a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, Troy Tulowitzki, dropped smoked a double down the right-field line in the ninth inning, scoring Jamey Carroll. As his team has muddled along, with plenty of underperforming culprits, this start can’t be pinned on Tulowitzki.
On the same day that Cincinnati’s Josh Hamilton went on the disabled list, Tulowitzki officially emerged as a rookie of the year candidate.
Of the shortstop’s 20 RBIs, eight have either tied the game or put the Rockies ahead. Twice this year, he has victimized the Diamondbacks with late hits.
“I hate losing,” Tulowitzki said when this series began. “It’s not something I ever want to get used to. I have won on every team I have played on. And I won in the minor leagues.”
Typical of their season, even in victory, the Rockies felt pain. Starter Josh Fogg exited after six-innings of one-run ball, departing angrily to the clubhouse after straining his left groin in a seventh-inning at-bat. But with Livan Hernandez out of the game, the Rockies rallied off reliever Brandon Lyon.
Ryan Spilborghs followed Tulowitzki’s double with a sacrifice fly. After scoreless appearances by LaTroy Hawkins and Manny Corpas, Brian Fuentes recorded his 12th save.
Staff writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
