Philadelphia – Rockies’ fans want to trust this team. They want to believe in a storybook finish paved with rainbows, puppies and unicorns.
Their team has proven tougher to kill than a cockroach, hanging around in the playoff race despite losing three starters and its fastest two players to injuries. Then with their ace on the mound and a chance to make up even more ground, the Rockies required smelling salts by the fifth inning, floored in a 12-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The loss shoved the Rockies three games behind in the wild-card standings, pending the outcome of San Diego’s late game. Only 16 games remain, and if there are anymore like this against the Florida Marlins this weekend, there will be no need for scoreboard gazing.
If you haven’t noticed by now, this team is easier to watch than explain. On a night screaming for an easy win, the Rockies watched Jeff Francis dissolve before their eyes.
Given the time, the place and what was at stake, it was arguably the left-hander’s worst outing ever. Replaying a meltdown in San Diego on Aug. 14, Francis matched career lows for innings pitched (3 1/3) and earned runs allowed (eight).
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 team 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.
The staff ace never wants to be associated with this type of mess. He’s supposed to be their sure thing. The Rockies are 20-11 in his assignments. The Rockies had outscored the Phillies 20-2 over the previous two victories. This was going to be the exclamation point.
After Chase Utley homered and Pat Burrell walked, manager Clint Hurdle had seen enough. The bullpen, unexpectedly terrific in Wednesday’s win, provided little resistance.
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 hand, leading to Alfonseca’s ejection. It has been a tense series. Three Rockies were ejected – manager Clint Hurdle, bench coach Jamie Quirk and catcher Yorvit Torrealba.
Quirk watched Thursday’s game from the press box, suspended for one game for his actions during Tuesday’s ejection. He got into it with plate umpire Mike DiMuro over a called third strike on Todd Helton.
A split leaves the Rockies in need of a sweep against Florida at home. The Marlins are the worst team in the National League East.
Staff Writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
