PHOENIX — Forget for a second that the Diamondbacks have the Rockies’ number, bludgeoning them for a fourth-consecutive time in a week with Friday night’s 8-2 victory. The more concerning number is this: 0.
That’s how many wins Rockies ace Jeff Francis has after two starts. Worse, he has struggled to be competitive, let alone fill the role of staff exclamation point. The trend began in the forgettable opening day debut that was washed away in St. Louis. Against the Cardinals, he threw 17 balls in his first 19 pitches.
Two shanked drives have followed that mulligan.
Facing Arizona twice, Francis has been tagged for six home runs, including three Friday in the series opener at Chase Field. Eric Byrnes, Justin Upton and Orlando Hudson all took him deep. When Upton’s blast became a souvenir in the sixth, Francis just dropped his head in disgust.
He won only one game last April, but the month wasn’t this ugly. He owns a 9.53 ERA with four walks in 10 innings.
“When I don’t pitch well, I like to think there’s something I can do about it. There’s no question that (Arizona) is a good team,” Francis said, “but I know I can pitch a lot better than this.”
Before the outing, pitching coach Bob Apodaca wondered if expectations were weighing on Francis.
“It’s only natural when you are the star of a good team that you won’t to be better the next year,” Apodaca said. “We don’t need him to put extra pressure on himself.”
Francis has battled mechanical issues, throwing across his body more than usual. On Friday, he was punished for balls left over the plate. Upton’s home run left the bat at 97 miles per hour. Manager Clint Hurdle admitted that the Diamondbacks” hitters, particularly the right-handers, were way too comfortable against Francis.
“His stuff isn’t where it has been. His command isn’t where it needs to be,” said Hurdle, who thought Francis” fastball was better, but that his off-speed pitches were ineffective. “There is work to be done.”
Francis’ slump is amplified by his opponents. He’s now facing a steady diet of strong-armed studs. Brandon Webb spent the better part of three hours turning the Rockies’ bats into splinters. He improved to 3-0 on the year, holding the Rockies to four hits and one run over eight innings as the Diamondbacks won their seventh-straight game.
“It was like trying to catch a chicken,” said Hurdle when asked about trying to hit a nasty sinker, filthy changeup and brilliant curveball.
Webb has beaten Colorado more times this season than he did all last year, when he went 1-3 with a 5.77 ERA.
Colorado’s only offense came from a Garrett Atkins” sacrifice fly and a Matt Holliday single. The Rockies have been outscored 28-7 by Arizona this season.
“That was the best Webb has thrown his changeup against us. They have beat us pretty good,” third baseman Garrett Atkins said. “It’s early in the year, but these four games could matter at the end of the season. Obviously we need to start playing better against them.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
