PHOENIX — The Rockies’ players called a special meeting before Wednesday’s game to voice opinions and stress the importance of a U-turn.
They haven’t reached panic stage, but it’s a couple of Interstate exits from here. This a team that handles its business with rolled-up sleeves, not conversation, this rare action testimony to the poor start.
Manager Clint Hurdle, who said responsibility for this slump stops on his desk, tried to provide a jolt Wednesday, revamping the lineup with center fielder Ryan Spilborghs leading off and Chris Iannetta returning to play catcher.
The result was like so many before it — a gnawing 4-3 loss defined by just enough flawed execution in critical moments.
“We are all accountable,” Hurdle said. “We just haven’t been able to play a complete game.”
With runners on first and third in the ninth, Brad Hawpe popped up to left, punctuating a defeat that featured jawing with plate umpire Adrian Johnson and bad feelings.
A quarter of the way into the season, the conclusion is inescapable. The Rockies are in a frightening funk. They sit 10 games under .500, a mark they never reached a year ago. Their starting pitchers have issues, Jorge De La Rosa unable to escape the fifth inning and build on last Thursday’s solid outing. Their hitters have white knuckles. The Rockies’ .228 average with runners in scoring position ranks last in the National League and 29th overall.
And they can’t handle the Diamondbacks, falling to 1-7 against their division rival and 10 games back in the NL West.
“Looking at the standings only makes it worse. We can’t be worrying about the big picture right now,” said slugger Matt Holliday, who nearly got tossed for arguing in the ninth inning.
“We have to focus on each game, nothing more,” he added.
Selective amnesia couldn’t hurt, waking up with no knowledge of how they reached this critical juncture. A snapshot of their problems began in the first inning. Spilborghs walked, the first of three times he would reach base, making a strong case to stay in the lineup. The Rockies’ leadoff hitters — Scott Podsednik and Willy Taveras — were a combined 4-for-34 with eight strikeouts in the previous eight games.
With Spilborghs on, Holliday doubled, paving the way for another cringe moment. Micah Owings struck out Garrett Atkins on an 89 mph fastball and induced an inning-ending groundball from Hawpe.
In the eighth, Podsednik created an uprising with a two-RBI single, but the rally expired when Spilborghs struck out. The Rockies are 4-for-20 in the series with runners in scoring position.
Facing similar trouble, De La Rosa could only limit the damage, not prevent it. The Diamondbacks struck for two runs in the fourth inning, aided by a wild pitch and Hawpe’s fielding error on Conor Jackson’s single. Orlando Hudson’s two-RBI double created the margin for victory.
“I think he was looking for the changeup there. I made a mistake,” De La Rosa said.
Hurdle and bench coach Jamie Quirk jawing with Johnson in the ninth, it was a fitting image for a team that is angry, but lacking victories.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
TODAY: Rockies at Diamondbacks, 7:40 p.m., FSN
If there’s anyone capable of spoiling Brandon Webb’s perfect season, it’s Aaron Cook (6-1, 2.26 ERA). Cook has won his last six starts, a franchise record, posting a 1.90 ERA during the streak. The Rockies are 7-1 when he’s on the mound. Cook, chugging toward an all-star selection, is never stuck in a count or a jam, his sinker more devastating than ever. Webb (8-0, 2.41) lives down in the zone, whether it’s his wicked sinker, nasty curveball or criminal changeup. Webb hasn’t lost a regular-season game since Sept. 2, when Colorado beat him 4-3 at Chase Field. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Friday:
Twins’ Nick Blackburn (3-2, 3.93 ERA) vs. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3, 5.53), 7:05 p.m., FSN
Saturday:
Twins’ Livan Hernandez (6-1, 3.90) vs. Rockies’ Greg Reynolds (0-1, 6.35), 6:05 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Twins’ Kevin Slowey (0-3, 5.79) vs. Rockies’ Jeff Francis (0-4, 6.27), 1:05 p.m., KTVD-20
Monday:
Giants’ Pat Misch (0-0, 5.32) vs. Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (1-2, 9.42), 6:35 p.m., FSN
