LOS ANGELES — There was no hard goodbye as a distraction. No looming trade rumor as a diversion. Brad Hawpe’s empty locker Thursday was a sobering reminder that the complexion of the season was changing.
The Rockies are hanging on by a thread of relevance, interest in the team shifting slightly toward the future.
That focus grew sharper after another hollow performance at Dodger Stadium in a 2-0 loss.
“What are you going to do when you only get two hits?” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “I have seen this before. It’s a reoccurring theme, and it’s disappointing.”
The Rockies avoided the indignity of a no-hitter, but little else. They began the night six back in the wild-card race, talking before the game about making a run. Their entire focus for the past week has been on winning series. This was their first chance to prove they could reinvent themselves.
Instead, the family Truckster remained on the side of the road, hazard lights flashing. It’s not that the Rockies continue losing on the road — 16 times in their past 22 games — but they often struggle to mount a threat.
They have been shut out a numbing four times in the past six road games.
The Rockies were certainly no match for Ted Lilly, whose brilliance spoiled arguably Jorge De La Rosa’s best outing since returning from his freak middle finger injury. Lilly allowed just two hits, fanning 11 Rockies on 110 pitches in his first shutout since 2004.
Lilly was originally selected by Los Angeles in the 23rd round of the 1996 draft. When acquired from the Cubs three weeks ago, he said it was always his dream to pitch for the Dodgers. He won his fourth straight start, muzzling Colorado.
After Dexter Fowler’s first- inning double, the veteran left- hander retired 19 consecutive hitters. He blended a firm fastball with a curveball that turned knees to pudding.
By the eighth inning, Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo had seen enough. When a Lilly curveball caught the corner, Olivo went from Peaceful Drive to Volcanic Avenue. He smashed his bat against the ground and exploded in anger at plate umpire Laz Diaz. Tracy raced to get between the pair before the incident became ugly.
Olivo retreated to the dugout following his ejection. His fire and passion, however, did nothing to change the result.
The Dodgers weren’t much better offensively, mauled by De La Rosa. One big hit was the difference, and it came from an unlikely place. Reserve outfielder Reed Johnson hit his first home run of the season — a two-run shot in the second — providing Lilly with all the cushion he would require.
The Rockies begin a three- game series tonight in Arizona, likely needing a sweep to claw their way back into the playoff picture.
“I am not going to sit here with 40 games left and say we’re done,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “We have made it very tough on ourselves. You can see that we are making moves, and maybe that will be a spark that gets us going, reminds us that we have to come out ready to play every day.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Diamondbacks, 7:40 p.m., FSN
Talk to teammates and they wonder if Esmil Rogers (2-2, 5.01 ERA) is better suited to be a reliever. One thing not in question is his arm. It is electric. If Rogers can command his 94-mph fastball, he can win tonight. If not, there will be plenty of traffic. The Rockies are just 1-3 in his starts. Ian Kennedy (7-9, 4.38), a former high school teammate of Ian Stewart’s, must paint with a small brush. If the umpire gives him the edges, he’s very effective. He owns a 4.91 ERA against the Rockies in 11 innings this season.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Saturday: Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (17-3, 2.59 ERA) at Diamondbacks’ Barry Enright (3-2, 2.91), 6:10 p.m., FSN
Sunday: Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (5-9, 4.33) at Diamondbacks’ Daniel Hudson (4-2, 3.57), 1:10 p.m., FSN
Monday: Braves’ Tim Hudson (14-5, 2.15) at Rockies’ Jason Hammel (8-7, 4.36), 6:40 p.m., FSN
Tuesday: Braves’ Derek Lowe (11-11, 4.32) at Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (4-4, 4.74), 6:40 p.m., FSN
