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 deliver a hit in the clutch.
The increased public pressure and the deepening hole in the standings have created the perception this is a now-or-never road trip. That a continued slide would lead to scapegoats.
On Tuesday night, the Rockies responded to the challenge, claiming a nervy 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, Troy Tulowitzki 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 emerged as a rookie of the year candidate. His arm is becoming the stuff of legend. “He likes it to show it off,” said pitcher Jason Hirsh.
And of Tulo’s 20 RBIs, eight have tied the game or put the Rockies ahead.
“After I didn’t get the bunt down, I kind of turned it around and pretended like I was happy because I really wanted a chance to hit,” Tulowitzki said. “I don’t know what it is. I feel calm in those situations.”
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. Fogg called missing his next start on Monday a “definite possibility.”
Taylor Buchholz, skipped over in the rotation, could replace Fogg. Triple-A prospect Ubaldo Jimenez is another candidate after surrendering just three hits and one run in seven innings Tuesday night for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
“We will find out more (today). It’s pretty sore right now,” Fogg said. “I am not going to do anything stupid and rush it because that’s not going to be beneficial for me or the team.”
With Livan Hernandez out of the game – he has a 1.93 ERA against Colorado in four starts this season – the Rockies’ angst dissipated. They rallied off reliever Brandon Lyon, a burst that started with Garrett Atkins’ walk.
“I am just trying to help the team any way I can,” Atkins said.
Ryan Spilborghs padded Tulowitzki’s double with a sacrifice fly on his “emergency swing” after being fooled by a full-count curveball. After scoreless appearances by LaTroy Hawkins and Manny Corpas, Brian Fuentes recorded his 12th save.
Afterward, however, the talk was about the kid who came to the rescue.
“He brings us an energy,” Todd Helton said. “He has that passion. And there’s no doubt he has the skill. He’s only 22. He’s going to be unbelievable.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
