Miami – No one is going to confuse the Rockies for the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s. There is no esoteric belief that all events are directly connected to the No. 23. But Colorado’s playoff ambitions are directly tied to those digits. That’s how many assignments tentatively remain for the Rockies’ fourth and fifth starters this season, spots currently manned by Ubaldo Jimenez and Jason Hirsh.
Manager Clint Hurdle has advanced the theory that how the Rockies perform in those games could determine their fate. Examine the numbers and he makes a good point.
The Rockies are 25-20 when Jeff Francis and Aaron Cook start. Their record is 9-11 in Jimenez and Hirsh’s outings (17-21 when counting Josh Fogg’s games).
To be one of the top four teams in the National League, they need more from four and five, which is why the idea of Triple-A’s Franklin Morales contributing is not a reach.
“If you are going to win series like we need to, the final two, even three spots in the rotation are crucial. We know what Cook and Francis are going to give us,” said Hirsh, who returns tonight. “I think Ubaldo and I can provide a giddy-up. We are at the point where there can’t be any throwaway games.”
This is part of the Rockies’ evolution, the focus shifting from development to results. And yet Hirsh and Jimenez are rookies, a status that screams unpredictability.
“We don’t scare anybody with Hirsh and Jimenez. People wonder, ‘Who are these guys?”‘ pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “But they are workmanlike and can be effective in their own way. What we need is a consistent effort from them.”
Morales Triple-A bound
After a terrific Futures Game outing in San Francisco, Morales explained that concentration was the key to his development. Left unsaid was that he possessed big-league talent.
The Rockies promoted the 21-year old Morales to Triple-A Colorado Springs, with his Sky Sox debut set for Friday. Morales could quickly work himself into the mix for a potential call-up as a starter, and club officials haven’t ruled out using him in the bullpen either.
Fish out of water
Jorge Julio, a train wreck with the Marlins, thanks Rockies special assistant Mark Wiley for getting his career back on track. Julio said Wiley immediately changed his delivery, which kept him from tipping off his pitches.
“He knows me so well (from the Orioles),” Julio said.
Footnote
Cook came within four outs of a rare feat Tuesday. Roger Bailey (1997) and Brian Bohanon (1999) are the only Rockies pitchers to post back-to-back complete-game victories.
