The Rockies faced a reality check Wednesday night. They quickly discovered that without Aaron Cook in their rotation, reality really bites.
Josh Fogg, Cook’s stand-in, made his first start in a Rockies uniform since the 2007 World Series. The Dodgers — Andre Ethier in particular — chewed up Fogg and spit him out in front of 38,350 fans at Coors Field.
Los Angeles’ 6-1 victory put the brakes on the surging Rockies and boosted the Dodgers’ lead in the National League West back to three games. The rubber game of the three-game series will be played tomorrow.
Ethier hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth, his 26th and 27th homers of the season. James Loney followed up Ethier’s fourth-inning blast with a three-
run homer. Shortly thereafter, Fogg’s failed night was finished. It wasn’t just the homers that doomed him. He also walked four and hit Manny Ramirez with a pitch. Nearly every time Fogg issued a free pass, the Dodgers made him pay.
Anchored by a fine start from lefty Randy Wolf, the Dodgers beat the Rockies for the 11th time in 14 games this season. Wolf pitched 7-1/3 innings, allowing one run and five hits. The Rockies were never able to solve his off-speed stuff. His only major goof was serving up a two-out solo home run to Ryan Spilborghs in the third.
Fogg’s performance leaves one-fifth of the Rockies’ starting pitching murky, but at least there is a bit of good news. Cook said Wednesday afternoon he expects to return from his strained right shoulder “in about two weeks.” But until he returns, the Rockies need to find a way to fill the void more effectively.
Juan Rincon, activated from the disabled list to provide bullpen depth, came in for Fogg and pitched four spotless innings, striking out three. But by then the damage was done. And with Wolf dominating the Rockies, there was little chance for another magic comeback that had become the Rockies’ trademark during this homestand.
