LOS ANGELES — As a team, the Rockies didn’t have a whole lot at stake entering Sunday’s regular-season finale vs. the Dodgers.
But starter Jason Marquis did. He was pitching to secure a spot in the postseason rotation. His performance in the Rockies’ 5-3 loss was mixed.
“He was pretty good beyond the first inning,” manager Jim Tracy said, looking on the bright side.
But Marquis’ first inning was ugly. He gave up four runs on four hits, plunked Matt Kemp and walked Andre Ethier.
“They hit good pitches in the first inning,” said Marquis, who failed for the fifth time to notch his 16th victory. “But I thought I made pitches and settled in after the first. I thought I pounded the strike zone pretty good after the first inning.”
Marquis finished with four runs allowed on eight hits over four innings. Still, it was a step back from his last start, when he allowed two runs on six hits in six innings against the Brewers.
The key to Marquis’ success and failure this season has been command of his sinker. He regained it, to an extent, in innings two through four, getting seven groundball outs in those three innings.
Although nothing is set, Marquis is likely to throw Game 4 of the divisional series against the Phillies at Coors Field on Sunday, if Jorge De La Rosa is healthy enough to pitch Game 3. If De La Rosa can’t go, Marquis would probably move up to the Game 3 start on Saturday.
“My sinker is fine,” he said. “I think I’m in a good place.”
Brad Hawpe believes he’s heading into the NLDS is decent form too. The right fielder started Sunday and went 2-for-2, hitting a two-out solo homer in the second and driving a sharp single to right in the fourth.
“I’ve been feeling pretty good for the last two weeks and feel like I’m seeing the ball pretty well,” said Hawpe, who finished the season with 23 home runs and a .285 average.
Right-hander Jason Hammel, hoping for a postseason roster spot either as a starter or as a reliever, relieved Marquis and pitched two scoreless innings.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
