Washington – The abruptness of defeat and the unexpected loss of a teammate can shake any team. The Washington Nationals’ celebration at second base, a mosh pit of flying arms and legs after a 5-4 win in 10 innings Thursday, didn’t puncture the heart like bitter defeats in Chicago and Toronto, but it hurt.
The Rockies let a win slip through their grasp, or more appropriately, through Brad Hawpe’s legs, his eighth-inning error further burdening an undermanned bullpen that will welcome a new member today, Ramon Ramirez, who replaces ineffective veteran Tom Martin.
“I have no excuse,” Hawpe said of his eighth-inning misplay that left the Nationals in position to win on D’Angelo Jimenez’s pinch-hit single off LaTroy Hawkins. “I should have made the play.”
Martin’s exit hit hard – he was designated for assignment and is unsure if he will retire – a sobering reminder that the Rockies are running out of time and patience for mistakes if they are to contend. They sit 5 1/2 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, unable to shrink that gap against one of the National League’s worst teams.
Martin’s walk out of the clubhouse, black-and-purple Rockies bag over his shoulder, cellphone pressed to his ear, overshadowed a night that was supposed to be about an arrival.
“These guys are the best,” Martin said. “But I knew I wasn’t go to stick around pitching like this.”
After preparing his mind with DVD study of the Nationals’ lineup and soothing his nerves with iPod tunes, Ubaldo Jimenez made a tantalizing debut, strong enough with general manager Dan O’Dowd in attendance to secure another start Tuesday.
“That’s good to hear,” Jimenez said.
The 23-year-old’s statistics amounted to point/counterpoint – he worked five innings (not good), struck out five (solid), walked three (dangerous), allowed two runs (admirable) and unleashed 107 pitches (too many). Jimenez hit 99 mph on the radar gun, threw five changeups and showed off two different curveballs – one for a strike, another to get hitters to chase.
“You saw a live arm,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
Jimenez didn’t figure in the decision after the eighth inning unraveled. With the Rockies clutching a 4-2 lead, Jeremy Affeldt wobbled, putting two runners aboard. A chance to clean up the mess vanished when Rule V draft pick Jesus Flores lined a shot to right field.
Hawpe raced over on the wet grass and watched helplessly as the ball skipped over his glove and to the fence, shoving a second run across.
“It just didn’t work out very well for us,” Hurdle said.
With Manny Corpas unavailable and the bullpen gassed, Hawkins came on in the eighth and was still around in the 10th. Austin Kearns led off with a single and made his way to third on a bunt and wild pitch.
With speedy Nook Logan on deck, Hurdle decided against walking D’Angelo Jimenez to set up the double play.
D’Angelo Jimenez was 0-for-19 as a pinch hitter. He made his first pinch hit matter.
“I was just trying to throw strikes,” Hawkins said. “You want them to earn it, and he did.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renckcan be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
