Sometimes, no matter how badly they want to pitch, relievers need to pause to go forward.
When the Rockies arrived in San Diego on Sept. 3, Matt Belisle and Joe Beimel were on fumes. Neither would ever refuse the ball, but their performances indicated they needed a breather.
So manager Jim Tracy used different puzzle pieces for the first two days of the series. That move has paid huge dividends during the 10-game winning streak, including seven straight wins on the current homestand.
“That second day of rest is the one the works like magic,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “That’s when you usually see a big difference.”
Beginning with the final day of the Padres series, Beimel has strung together two consecutive scoreless outings. Belisle is hitting 95 mph on his fastball again. Both pitched in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Arizona.
“The focus is just on the game in front of us. That’s the easiest way for us to look at it,” Belisle said. “We have put ourselves in a good position, and it just shows how important division games are anytime of the season.”
The bullpen did the heavy lifting Sunday, working five innings with eight strikeouts. The Rockies’ relievers own a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings during the homestand.
Mentoring Ubaldo.
Ubaldo Jimenez didn’t just take Rodrigo Lopez’s rotation spot in 2007, he took his advice. Jimenez credits Lopez for mentoring him during his rookie season.
“I remember after a bad game, I asked him if I should stay here and wait for the press. He said: ‘You have to do it every start, whether you pitch well or badly. It’s your responsibility,’ ” Jimenez said. “I learned a lot from him.”
Footnotes.
Chris Iannetta left after the first inning Sunday with a strained right calf. . . . The fantasy football league players wore the jersey of their top pick Sunday morning. Ryan Spilborghs sported a black Drew Brees Saints model, tying the look together with knee-high white sanitary socks and purple-and-white high-tops. . . . Eric Young Jr. extended his hitting streak to seven games. He’s hitting .462 (12-for-26) during this stretch with four runs and four walks.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
