Philadelphia – In a series of outbursts, ejections, lost home runs and flesh-finding pitches, Jeff Francis represented the methodical and predictable.
There’s no one the Rockies would have rather had on the mound Thursday night. He’s steady, and earns respect from his team, trust from fans.
So, of course, in a season that has made little sense and followed no script, the Rockies were thrashed 12-4 at Citizens Bank Park, leaving Francis at a loss for words.
“We battle together and for each other. This is disappointing for everyone,” Francis said, “especially having a lead like I did. I really don’t know what to say.”
The only solace came while the team flew back on the charter as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres. It kept the Rockies 2 1/2 games back in the wild-card race. Still, the players know the math, know they have to win, not count on three teams ahead of them – Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Dodgers – spending the final two weeks stepping on banana peels.
“We need to get hot,” outfielder Matt Holliday said. “There’s no room for error.”
Only 16 games remain, and if there are any more like this against the Florida Marlins this weekend, there will be no need for scoreboard watching.
Given the time, the place and what was at stake, this was Francis’ worst game. He lacked command of his fastball, and his mistakes were punished. He matched career lows for innings pitched (3 1/3) and earned runs allowed (eight).
The staff ace never wants to be associated with this type of mess. He is supposed to be the sure thing. The Rockies are 20-11 in his assignments. The Rockies had outscored the Phillies 20-2 during the previous two victories. This was going to be the exclamation point, a fist to the Phillies’ gut in the wild-card race.
“They are human beings, and every ace throws a shoe now and then,” said manager Clint Hurdle, who lost bench coach Jamie Quirk for the finale as he served as one-game suspension for Tuesday’s ejection. “You never want them to, they obviously don’t want to, but if you look across the board, it happens.”
Most disturbing was the beginning. The Rockies provided Francis a 3-0 first-inning cushion, peppering Phillies starter J.D. Durbin. The right-hander, whom the Rockies torched so badly in April that the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment, threw 44 pitches. Francis, however, was equally ineffective, surrendering four runs on 41 pitches. For those counting at home, the first inning took 46 minutes and featured 39 balls.
Shortly after Chase Utley homered and Pat Burrell walked in the fourth, Hurdle had seen enough. The bullpen, refreshingly terrific in Wednesday’s win, provided little help.
Ramon Ortiz created drama, hitting Jayson Werth in the back. That led to a chippy exchange in the seventh as Phillies reliever Antonio Alfonseca fired a pitch at Todd Helton’s head. It ultimately grazed the first baseman’s left hand, leading to Alfonseca’s ejection.
It was the pitches that missed their target Thursday, however, that hurt more.
“It would have been a big win,” Helton said. “We have no choice but to step up (today).”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
First and worst
Thursday night’s game started poorly – the first inning lasted 46 minutes – and went downhill from there for the Rockies:
Rockies’ Phillies’ Jeff Francis J.D. Durbin
Pitches 41 44
Strikes 23 23
Balls 18 21
Runs 4 3
