Everywhere the Rockies went for two months, they embraced failure like a lover returning from war. They couldn’t pitch, their situational hitting was a train wreck and the road was blur of blinking hazard lights.
On a postcard perfect Thursday night at Coors Field, they continued their remarkable transformation from colossal disappointment to legitimate threat. They completed their second sweep this season, bare knuckling a 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
This is all fans wanted to see when they painted their faces on opening day and named babies after the star shortstop. The Rockies, predicted to claim their first-ever division title, have won 11 of their past 15 games. Borrowing from Paris Hilton, “That’s hot.” The best in the National League since June 3 as a matter of fact.
But it’s more than the success, it’s the style. Beaming smiles have replaced grinding teeth. The Rockies are having fun again, no longer burdened by expectations.
“They are starting to get it back, you can see it, you can feel it. There’s more joy to compete,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “They have put themselves in a position that is nearly impossible and they like it. It has taken the pressure off.”
They have quietly crawled out of last place in the NL West, making a run at a critical time as their record at the all-star break will heavily influence whether any significant trades are made. This game followed the recent template, focusing heavy on redemption.
Jorge De La Rosa, banished to the bullpen last month, tightened his grip in the fifth starter’s spot with another terrific outing. He fanned a career-high 10 in six innings, bedazzling the Indians with a curveball and swing-and-miss changeup. De La Rosa’s revival has been stunning.
In his first five starts with the Rockies, he was 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA, plagued by command issues. In his last two starts, he owns a 1.50 ERA with 18 strikeouts and two walks in 11 innings. Even more impressive, he settled down after surrendering a two-run home run in the first inning to Ben Francisco.
The Rockies clawed back to tie the score at 3-all when Jeff Baker continued writing his diary of havoc. In the sixth inning he blasted a home run in his third consecutive game, shoving the Rockies ahead. Baker, who started at first base for the slumping Todd Helton, has 11 extra-base hits in his last 17 hits.
Manuel Corpas, used with a lead in the seventh, and Taylor Buchholz built a bridge to closer Brian Fuentes who recorded his 13th save.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
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