Reality TV has nothing on Rockies. Somedays, like say Thursday, it’s as if RealWorld Denver never left downtown. Colorado tweaked its roster, adding a catcher (Geromino Gil) and a middle infielder (Clint Barmes), while leaving a tune-in-next-time mystery about Sunday’s starter.
Maybe it’s a waiver-wire pickup. Whoever gets the nod needs to turn in a better performance than Ubaldo Jimenez, who spent Thursday serving as the Chicago Cubs’ chew toy in a 10-2 mauling at Coors Field.
The loss was more annoying than a hornet sting as the Padres and Phillies lost, leaving the Rockies tied with the Cubs, two games back in the wild-card standings.
For a team that has the National League’s best record since May 22 – 41-28 – the Rockies live on an amazingly thin margin. They are attempting to make the playoffs the first time since 1995 with a rookie fourth starter and an unknown fifth starter down the stretch.
The problem with depending on kids is sometimes they act their age. Making only his sixth career starter, Jimenez revealed the flaws that kept him nestled in Colorado Springs for much of the season. His fastball was flat and easily detectable, and he couldn’t get ahead quickly enough to set up his changeup.
The Cubs, who carried a four-game losing streak into the game, prompting the first team meeting called by manager Lou Piniella, battered Jimenez for nine runs in two innings. Two errors, including a fielding gaffe by Garrett Atkins, didn’t help, but Jimenez was overmatched. It begs the question of how much more patience can the Rockies show the 23-year-old?
Without at least mediocrity from the final two rotation spots, the Rockies’ shot of qualifying for the postseason decreases dramatically. Every Cubs starter but Derrek Lee had a hit. The Rockies’ offensive highlight was a home run from Jeff Baker, subbing for Todd Helton, who should return Friday from his back spasms.
Staff Writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
