San Francisco –In a game that could have marked the end of contention, maybe this is where relevance begins.
The Rockies know the schedule has them in a vice, less forgiving at this point than an assistant principal. They realize that they need help, their destiny at the mercy of others cooling ahead of them. But hope, a stranger on this road trip, reappeared Wednesday during a crisp 8-0 victory at sun-splashed AT&T Park.
Not only did Jeff Francis pitch arguably the best game of his career, but Aaron Cook is close to returning. Any chance of the Rockies staying in the mix next month will hinge on their ability pitch and play defense.
The starting rotation has been ravaged by injuries to Jason Hirsh, likely done for the season, Rodrigo Lopez, already done for the season, and Cook, who should rejoin the team soon with his strained left ribcage muscle healing.
In what amounted to a day spa treatment for the Rockies’ bullpen, Francis notched the second complete-game shutout of his career. The left-hander simultaneously slay a pair of demons, his team’s two-game losing streak and his own nightmares in this ballpark (8.05 ERA in six starts entering the game). Francis threw 119 pitches, 76 for strikes, masterfully mixing in a fastball with his curveball and changeup.
The Rockies took their first lead in 19 innings with the first of Garrett Atkins’ two home runs. Atkins, who leads the major leagues in RBIs since June 13, clobbered a fastball to center field on a day when the ball was showing unusual carry. He delivered a three-run blast in the third inning, part of a Rockies’ lineup that tied a season-high with four home runs. Brad Hawpe hit his team-best 25th home run and Chris Iannetta added this third.
Staff Writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
