MILWAUKEE — When Joel Peralta arrived three weeks ago, manager Clint Hurdle needed flame-retardant gloves to make pitching changes. The bullpen started more fires than it extinguished.
Everything is different now, illustrated by Peralta’s past two outings. One night after striking out J.J. Hardy on a splitter with runners in scoring position, Peralta fanned Ryan Braun on a 93-mph fastball with the bases loaded to end the seventh.
“When you are out there, you aren’t thinking about the crowd or the situation,” Peralta said. “This isn’t the minor leagues, where you are working on stuff. This is about getting wins.”
That the Rockies have won eight straight is due, in part, to a solidified bullpen. Second-worst in the National League on May 27, the relievers have lowered their ERA from 5.40 to 4.82. Huston Street, who likely won’t be available tonight after recording saves in four consecutive games, has been scored on only three times in his last 20 outings.
“I think having roles and guys knowing when they are coming in has helped everybody. Guys aren’t scrambling when the phone rings,” said reliever Matt Daley, who has strung together four scoreless outings since returning from the disabled list. “And more than anything, we are feeding off each other.”
Ringing endorsement.
Jason Hammel’s former team, Tampa Bay, arrives in Denver on Tuesday, at which time Hammel hopes to receive his American League Championship Series ring.
Footnotes.
Yorvit Torrealba is now not expected to meet up with the Rockies until Saturday. His son’s condition remains his top priority following the boy’s abduction and safe return in Venezuela. . . . Garrett Atkins could receive a spot start this weekend with the Rockies facing three consecutive left-handers. Atkins understands Ian Stewart deserves to play, but has continued to work hard in the batting cage. Said manager Jim Tracy, “I am not going to quit on him as long as he doesn’t quit on himself. And I haven’t seen that at all in his body language.” . . . The Rockies were robbed for the second consecutive day on a pickoff play at second base. “We had both guys,” said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, a replay confirming his assessment.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
