After his solid, seven-inning outing Sunday afternoon, Aaron Cook handed over a two-run lead to the Rockies’ bullpen for some tender loving care.
No worries.
Six batters and three strikeouts later, the Rockies had their 4-2 victory over the Giants, extending their lead in the National League wild-card race to two games.
“Management has pieced together a bullpen that is really nailing it down,” said Cook, who improved to 10-3 on a day when his trusty sinker coaxed the Giants’ hitters into 16 groundball outs.
On a day when the Rockies’ hitters were relatively quiet — sacrifice flies by Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba produced two of the four runs — there was little room for reliever error.
It turns out there was none at all.
Lefty Franklin Morales set the Giants down in order in the eighth, striking out lefties Fred Lewis and Travis Ishikawa. Closer Huston Street slammed the door in the ninth, striking out Juan Uribe for the final out to claim his 25th save in 26 opportunities.
Dating to Tuesday night’s eighth inning against Arizona, Rockies relievers have delivered 11 1/3 consecutive no-hit innings.
“Wow, that’s awesome. Unbelievable,” Street said.
Cook was just as effusive in his praise.
“I’m comfortable as a starter, and I think I can speak for the rest of the guys in saying that when we hand the ball over to our bullpen, we know they’re going to get the job done,” Cook said. “That’s a great luxury to have. We know that those guys are going to come out of the bullpen, throw strikes, be aggressive and go right at hitters.”
Morales certainly did. Promising but inconsistent as a starter, Morales dominated the Giants for his inning of relief.
“I am feeling comfortable right now, and I have more focus and concentration on the hitters,” Morales said about his new role.
By inserting Morales in the eighth inning, manager Jim Tracy showed increasing trust in the 23-year-old left-hander.
“That was as good as I have seen him throw the ball,” Tracy said. “If he continues to throw strikes like that, he’s going to be awfully tough. I don’t care who you want to talk about as a left- handed hitter, that will not be an easy at-bat. That’s how dominant Frankie was today.”
The Rockies’ bullpen has changed dramatically during the last two weeks. Last week, the Rockies traded for Rafael Betancourt and made him their setup man. They promoted Jhoulys Chacin from Double-A Tulsa to be a long reliever. What was once the Rockies’ Achilles’ heel looked rock solid during this homestand. The bullpen will be a major factor as the Rockies open a 10-game, 11-day road trip tonight in New York against the Mets.
“Our bullpen has been huge,” Street said. “The best example would be the eighth inning today. We gave Betancourt the day off, and Frankie comes in and did the job. That’s the depth and caliber of pitching we have out there right now.”
Street says the Rockies have quality relievers available from the sixth inning on, meaning the Rockies almost always have a chance to win.
“By adding a guy like Betancourt in the eighth, we went from being a good bullpen to a really good bullpen,” Street said. “It creates flexibility for us.”
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
What a relief
Colorado’s bullpen has gone from a big concern to a pillar of strength in a matter of a few days. A look at the numbers:
* Bullpen has pitched 11 1/3 hitless innings in a row.
* Closer Huston Street has 25 saves in 26 chances.
* New setup man Rafael Betancourt has pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings.
* Franklin Morales has eight scoreless outings in nine relief appearances.
* Matt Daley has 7 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings since July 10.
Looking ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Mets, 5:10 p.m., FSN
Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9, 3.85 ERA) has been a workhorse, pitching at least six innings in 16 consecutive starts. He also has firepower, as his 116 strikeouts (ninth in the National League) illustrate. What he needs is consistency. The right-hander is looking to build on his last two starts, in which he went 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA. In Wednesday’s no-decision against the Diamondbacks, Jimenez went six innings, showing good command of his fastball. Mets lefty Oliver Perez (2-3, 7.68) was wild in his last start against the Nationals, issuing six walks. Perez, who returned from the disabled list earlier this month, has walked 17 batters in his last three starts. Perez has not beaten the Rockies since 2005.
Anica Wong, The Denver Post
Tuesday: Rockies’ Jason Marquis (12-6, 3.49 ERA) vs. Mets’ Mike Pelfrey (7-6, 4.99), 5:10 p.m., FSN
Wednesday: Rockies’ Jason Hammel (5-5, 4.28) vs. Mets’ Johan Santana (11-8, 3.12), 5:10 p.m., FSN
Thursday: Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 4.78) vs. Mets’ Jon Niese (1-0, 4.08), 10:10 a.m., no TV
Friday: Rockies’ Aaron Cook (10-3, 3.87) vs. Reds’ Micah Owings (6-11, 5.35), 5:10 p.m., FSN
