Los Angeles &emdash; A rational explanation exists, but it doesn’t change the facts: If the Rockies fashion themselves as contender, they can’t lose games to guys like Eric Stults.
It’s not personal, just a sobering reality. He’s was making his fourth career start and hadn’t walked to the mound in the first inning since July 22. But he looked more Koufax than overmatched. The left-hander struck out a career-high nine hitters, strong-arming the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-4 victory Friday night.
With Arizona running away and hiding in the division race – seven games ahead of the Rockies – the only consolation prize was the wild-card chase. The Rockies remained three games back from Philadelphia and San Diego who are knotted at the top with rookie Franklin Morales set to make his debut tomorrow.
As with Thursday night, the Rockies were victimized by one big inning – but this time it wasn’t at the expense of the bullpen. Josh Fogg, a stabilizing force the past two months with six victories, veered off course in the second. The Dodgers barreled him for five runs on six hits, including Jeff Kent’s 15th home run – he has six career homers off Fogg – and a two-RBI single from Juan Pierre that nearly took out the pitcher’s shins.
The Rockies’ runs came from Garrett Atkins’ 18th home run, an RBI groundout from Jamey Carroll, who played a terrific second base with several flowing plays, and a Troy Tulowitzki single. Stolts, a last-minute replacement when Mark Hendrickson was left in the bullpen, toyed with the Rockies for seven innings, mixing an 88-mph fastball with a good curve. He struck out four consecutive hitters twice.
So it is left up to Morales to create a spark before this road trip goes up in flames.
“This is the optimal time to give him experience that can’t be garnered anywhere else,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We will give him a shot and see where it takes us.”
Rotation shuffle ends
Morales is 21 with electric stuff and shaky command as he wades knee-deep into a playoff race.
“He can be dominant at times,” said Clint Barmes, a triple-A teammate earlier this season.
Morales became the only option when the Rockies ended their mild pursuit of free agent David Wells, failing to talk to his agent Friday. As he announced Morales’ start, Hurdle also set his rotation. The group of Jeff Francis, Josh Fogg, Elmer Dessens, Ubaldo Jimenez and Morales will get two turns through before re-evaluation.
Ortiz in mix
Ramon Ortiz reached into his bag and provided a glimmering explanation for excitement upon joining the Rockies. He pulled out his 2002 World Series ring from his time with the Angels.
“I wasn’t happy in the bullpen in Minnesota, but when I heard I was coming here I liked it because this team has a chance to make the playoffs,” Ortiz said.
Ortiz, who wears No. 44, wants to start again. He held a rotation spot for Minnesota for the season’s first two months before being banished to the bullpen. He is looking forward to working with Rockies’ special assistant Marcel Lachemann, who coached him with the Angels years ago.
“He’s the best,” said Ortiz, who allowed a seventh-inning RBI single to Mark Sweeney in his first pitch as a Rockie, but didn’t allow anymore damage. “He knows me as well as anyone.”
Rockies release DeJean
Mike DeJean hasn’t given up his comeback bid. But if he returns to the majors, it won’t be with the Rockies. At least not this season. Colorado released the 36-year-old from the Sky Sox roster on Friday.
“I am appreciative of the opportunity they gave me,” DeJean said. “I will call other teams to see if they want me. I will end up somewhere, even if it’s Japan.”
Footnotes
Reliever Ramon Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs. He vowed to “work hard to get called back up.” Pitcher Darren Clarke was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create a roster spot for Dessens. Both a 40-man and 25-man roster move will be required today to make room for Morales. A position player will likely be farmed out, possibly Clint Barmes.
Staff Writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
