LOS ANGELES — The Rockies have been driven nearly out of contention, in part, because they can’t drive anybody in.
For eight innings they failed Wednesay, stranding runners like so many castaways on “Survivor.” Then, something weird happened. The Dodgers’ defense was worse.
Los Angeles committed four errors for the first time in three years, gaffes that nudged the Rockies to a 4-3 victory, their fifth straight on a promising road trip.
“We took advantage of some opportunities,” Rockies slugger Matt Holliday said. “We found a way to scrounge up enough runs. Every win matters for us. You are never going to see this team throw in the towel.”
The final run came courtesy of an E and a long-anticipated big hit. Holliday, part of a middle of the order that couldn’t cash in early on, greeted Dodgers closer Jonathon Broxton to open the ninth. The burly right-hander didn’t like the sight and promptly drilled Holliday in the left biceps.
Holliday turned his head and angrily flipped his bat and shin guard in disgust. That frustration would quickly dissipate moments later. He raced to second base as catcher Danny Ardoin’s throw sailed into center field for the Dodgers’ final error.
Even the Rockies couldn’t spoil this opportunity. Brad Hawpe, who is baseball’s hottest hitter over the past nine weeks, lined a fastball into right field to shove Colorado ahead. Hawpe could be excused for not knowing whether to celebrate or exhale.
“I was looking for a fastball in that situation, and he left one up,” said Hawpe, who has 52 hits since July 11.
Rather than drive in runs, the Rockies spent the evening driving themselves mad. They loaded the bases in the fifth, and Holliday, Hawpe and Garrett Atkins couldn’t get a ball out of the infield against laboring Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley. That the Rockies scored was a gift, first baseman Casey Blake muffing Hawpe’s slow roller.
Then again, the shoddy glovework wasn’t a total surprise. It could be argued that the Dodgers’ entire infield was playing out of position. Dodgers manager Joe Torre got creative to jumble as many right-handers against Rockies starter Jeff Francis as possible. Francis, however, escaped jams by playing off their impatience.
A quick synopsis: fastball in, changeup away. The Dodgers repeatedly fished, particularly Manny Ramirez and Blake.
“He continues to amaze me with his ability to get out of jams,” said pitching coach Bob Apodaca, whose bullpen extended its string to 17 straight scoreless innings. “This is the Jeff Francis we are accustomed to seeing. He should feel very good about this performance.”
To Blake’s left was Jeff Kent. He might go into the Hall of Fame someday – here’s guessing that Cooperstown’s own Vin Scully won’t be delivering his acceptance speech given Kent’s recent criticism of the legend – but he’s not a second baseman. He’s tough, but rangeless. Nomar Garciparra manned shortstop, a position he hasn’t played regularly in two years. And catcher Russell Martin shifted to third, where he airmailed two throws.
Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, his left quadriceps still not fully healthy, nearly trumped them with his own misplay. He got caught in between a backhand and a dive in the second inning, allowing two runs to score on Ardoin’s groundball.
The idea that Colorado would be doomed by Ardoin’s bat would be hard for any Rockies fan to grasp given how little the catcher hit in purple pinstripes.
But with the scored tied at 3-all, the ninth changed. And boos reigned. It started with Holliday and some superstition. High above in the press box, assistant general manager Bill Geivett had members of the Rockies’ traveling party touch his suit coat for luck.
Moments later, Hawpe’s dart was landing in the outfield grass and RBI was no longer a four-letter word.
“I like being in those situations,” Hawpe said, “because you know the pitcher is worried about screwing up.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
TODAY: Rockies at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m., FSN
Jorge De La Rosa (6-6, 6.16) is not just pitching to keep the Rockies on the fringe of contention. He’s auditioning for a job next season. Approaching arbitration, the Rockies want to get a better read on whether he’s worth keeping around. De La Rosa has an ERA a tick above 3.00 in his wins, while pushing 10.00 in his losses. The Dodgers’ Derek Lowe (9-10, 3.99) relies on a sinker. Brad Hawpe’s swing path loves the two-seamer, going 11-for-28 with three home runs and nine RBIs against the right-hander. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Friday:
Reds’ Aaron Harang (3-13, 5.59) vs. Rockies’ Aaron Cook (15-8, 3.86), 7:05 p.m., FSN
Saturday:
Reds’ Edinson Volquez (15-5, 2.73) vs. Rockies’ Livan Hernandez (11-9, 6.07), 6:05 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Reds’ Johnny Cueto (8-12, 4.74) vs. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (9-11, 3.99), 1:05 p.m., KTVD-Ch. 20
Monday:
Rockies’ Jeff Francis (3-8, 5.74) vs. Giants’ Matt Cain (8-9, 3.57), 8:15 p.m., FSN.
