The numbers hint of fabrication. Like somebody in a bad mood hacked into the hard drive with bad intentions. Six weeks into the season, the Rockies’ offense has perplexed, exasperated — done everything but executed.
On a warm Thursday afternoon, Colorado teased with a few swings, but ultimately couldn’t overcome sloppy pitching in a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros at Coors Field.
In the past seven days, the Rockies have gone 2-5 against Arizona and Houston, the National League’s two worst teams.
“Unbelievable,” outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. “No way should we be playing like this.”
If this isn’t the crossroads to the season, certainly the intersection is within sight. Simply put, the Rockies can’t continue on this path if they want to reach the playoffs. Their lack of hitting has left them deserving of their mediocre 30-30 record.
General manager Dan O’Dowd always is willing to engage in trade talks, but said Thursday the answers are on the current roster.
“It’s hard to rebuild your offense during the year. I think we have the right guys, but they have to start figuring it out,” O’Dowd said.
It needs to have happened yesterday — if you listen to talk shows and increasingly impatient fans at Coors Field. The Rockies are hitting .258 as a team, and .255 with runners in scoring position. Even with spirited rallies in the second and eighth innings Thursday — Todd Helton, hitting second for the first time this season, delivered two hits — the lineup continues to lack the game-changing blast.
There’s not a course on how to deliver in the clutch. More often than not, it’s contagious, guys feeding off both success and failure. What’s the key?
“To stop thinking about it. I have said this year after year. It’s a tough game to play when you are thinking about doing it, instead of just athletically doing it,” O’Dowd said. “Confidence is an elusive thing in this game, and we have some guys fighting through some confidence issues.”
O’Dowd remains encouraged by the pitching — the 3.67 ERA is the team’s lowest ever at this point in the season — and improved defense. Both were pedestrian in Thursday’s loss, with Jhoulys Chacin’s three walks — “He needs to learn from this,” manager Jim Tracy said — and third baseman Ian Stewart’s throwing error leading to four of the Astros’ five runs.
But, ultimately the diagnosis comes back to the offense. Or lack thereof.
The Rockies rank last in the majors in runs scored after the fifth inning. They are 8-12 in one-run games. In fairness, the Astros have been playing well, and Roy Oswalt owns Colorado (2.25 ERA at Coors Field.). Still, the last week is a stretch that could haunt the Rockies if the playoff race is tight in September.
“This would have been a good one to win with a comeback,” Helton said. “Every game you lose you feel like you let it get away. These definitely rank up there.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
