PHOENIX — Someday, perhaps the Rockies will recognize the gap in logic.
They fashion themselves a playoff team. They are convinced they can win their first National League West crown. But good teams bully also-rans. That’s how it works.
It’s how they go on streaks and create separation in the standings. The Rockies arrived at Chase Field with a chance to enjoy a memorable road trip after winning their series in San Francisco. Instead, they wake up this morning trying to avoid a sweep, losing 4-3 Saturday to the last-place Diamondbacks because of an alarming inability to deliver in the clutch.
“They have been playing terrible over the last two weeks, and we helped them out by playing terrible the last two days,” outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said.
Zero.
That’s how many hits the Rockies delivered with runners in scoring position in 11 at-bats. This after striking out 14 times Friday, leaving Ubaldo Jimenez to salvage pride today.
The whole D-Train, D-backs story was uncomfortably warm and fuzzy Saturday, but Dontrelle Willis’ debut can’t excuse this. And forget blaming Todd Helton. The first baseman was on the bench for the first of two games to clear his head.
Nearly every other Rockie failed. Brad Hawpe struck out. Clint Barmes popped up. Ian Stewart fanned, a painful misstep with bases loaded against reliever Aaron Heilman in the seventh. The Rockies’ runs came on two sacrifice flies and a walk.
“We had golden opportunities and didn’t produce,” manager Jim Tracy said. “That’s what it boils down to.”
There were times when the pitchers couldn’t find the plate with a TomTom. Yet, it was hard to ascertain whether they were effectively wild or maddeningly inconsistent. When Willis reached the 54-pitch mark, he had 27 balls and 27 strikes. Rockies rookie Jhoulys Chacin waded through deep counts while striking out a career-high nine batters.
The difference was that Willis never made a crippling mistake. He bore a striking resemblance to the kid who made his stunning major-league debut May 9, 2003, against the Rockies.
Saturday, he was a project, Arizona reaching into the land of misfit toys, hoping a return to the National League would rejuvenate his career. Willis worked six shutout innings.
“I made pitches when I had to,” said Willis, who received loud ovations, including a roar when he slid headfirst for Arizona’s first run.
The Diamondbacks maximized their minimal production against Chacin. Regrettably, the damage came with two outs. In the sixth, Chacin walked consecutive batters before pinch-hitter Ryan Roberts, Friday night’s hero, struck again, ripping a changeup for a two-run double. He said he recognized the grip.
“It’s something I have to learn from,” Chacin said.
Kelly Johnson doubled off reliever Randy Flores, shoving the Diamondbacks ahead 4-0.
Arizona’s bullpen has shown that no lead is safe this season, and, on cue, Carlos Rosa faltered, allowing two runs on sacrifice flies before giving way to Heilman. Heilman walked Seth Smith with bases loaded before striking out the pinch-hitting Stewart on an 81-mph changeup.
It symbolized a night when the only big hit was Willis himself.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Diamondbacks, 2:10 p.m., FSN
Ubaldo Jimenez (10-1, 0.78 ERA) continues his march toward history. No pitcher in the modern era has posted an ERA this low with wins in 10 of his first 11 games. Jimenez, a Cy Young Award and MVP candidate, has allowed three earned runs and struck out 49 batters in 52 1/3 road innings this season. The right-hander is averaging 110 pitches a start, and hasn’t lost since May 9 at Los Angeles. He owns a career 1.30 ERA at Chase Field. Rodrigo Lopez (2-3, 4.31) draws the short straw, facing Jimenez for the second time this season. Jason Giambi, who will start today, has clubbed four home runs off the right-hander.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Monday: Astros’ Wandy Rodriguez (3-7, 5.07 ERA) at Rockies’ Jason Hammel (2-3, 6.09), 6:40 p.m., FSN
Tuesday: Astros’ Brian Moehler (0-2, 6.49) at Rockies’ Jeff Francis (1-2, 3.70), 6:40 p.m., FSN
Wednesday: Astros’ Felipe Paulino (1-7, 4.01) at Rockies’ Aaron Cook (2-3, 5.00), 6:40 p.m., FSN
Thursday: Astros’ Roy Oswalt (3-8, 3.22) at Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (3-4, 3.77), 1:10 p.m., FSN
