MINNEAPOLIS — They say the ball doesn’t carry at Target Field, the Minnesota Twins’ new digs. Especially when you strike out, as the Rockies learned Wednesday night.
What once was an annoying trend is rapidly becoming the official theme of the Rockies’ season. They once again played a tight, low-scoring game and, once again, couldn’t hit enough to win it.
This time, they made Scott Baker, 5-5 with a 4.81 ERA before the game, look like Ubaldo Jimenez, who will have to win today to save the Rockies from a sweep in the three-game interleague series.
The amazing part was that, 13 strikeouts later, the Rockies were in the game near the end, losing 2-1. It would have been worse, much worse if not for a defensive performance that transcended fantastic into the realm of acrobatic.
“Unfortunately there’s nothing to speak about offensively,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “It’s obviously a trend that has haunted us now for a better portion of the season. That’s the bottom line.”
Said Jason Giambi, who accounted for two of Baker’s career-high 12 strikeouts: “Hopefully we’ll get it going and get everybody hot. It seems like we get a few guys hot and other guys are struggling. We’re not clicking on all cylinders right now.”
They didn’t click on any cylinders against Baker, who located his 90 to 92 mph fastball on both sides of the plate. Yes, he mixed in the occasional breaking ball, but for the most part it was just a matter of Rockies hitters not being able to catch up to the heat.
“He was 90 to 92 and we missed the ball,” Tracy said. “That’s all I can tell you.”
Actually, Tracy went on to say what has become obvious: The Rockies are a frustrated team, one whose 9-13 record in one-run games pales in comparison with the 15-7 mark of the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Said Tracy: “There’s an element of frustration due to the fact that we’re a club still playing baseball a game over .500 . . . but like tonight, we’ve left some baseball games out there.”
Baker kept the Rockies, who scored their only run on a passed ball, from having any offensive highlights. They didn’t advance a runner to second during his seven innings. At one point, the Nos. 2 through 6 hitters struck out on five consecutive at-bats.
For all of their offensive struggles — their three hits tied a season low — the Rockies were pure magic with their gloves. Carlos Gonzalez threw out Delmon Young at the plate — on the fly — in the second inning, and Clint Barmes left his feet to snag Justin Morneau’s hot smash in the fifth to set up a double play after Tracy ordered an intentional walk to Joe Mauer.
Gonzalez later leaped against the wall to snag a flyball, and Brad Hawpe made a shoestring catch in right field. But to no avail, as the Rockies’ offense sputtered again.
“I don’t know what to say,” Barmes said. “I know we’re going to start hitting, but we’re letting some games get away. It’s frustrating not to win when you get that kind of pitching and defense.”
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
Road woe-riors
Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Minnesota was the latest in a long line of shaky performances by Rockies hitters away from Coors Field. Here’s a look at some of the Rockies’ home/road hitting splits:
Home
G R H XBH Avg.
31 168 293 105 .286
Road
G R H XBH Avg.
34 127 268 87 .232
XBH — extra-base hits
