CHICAGO — Huston Street’s save-conversion rate isn’t the only thing perfect about his season. Twice he has been unavailable to pitch because of a heavy workload, and on both occasions the game was rained out. Wednesday’s series finale against the Cubs was postponed and rescheduled for June 27 at 12:20 p.m. MDT at Wrigley Field.
“It’s worked out for me,” Street said.
Though he has had a few difficult jams to get out of, Street leads baseball with nine saves. His worst outing, he said, helps explain why the Rockies are off to their second-best start in franchise history.
“When I didn’t have it in New York, Matty (Lindstrom) picked me up,” Street said. “That’s what this team has been doing all season. You see a lot of people contributing. We are resilient.”
The numbers reveal the team’s thick hide. The Rockies are 7-4 when the opponent scores first. Monday night, they overcame a three-run deficit.
“It started from the first day of spring training. We have been grinding,” Street said. “You have great leaders who hold players accountable. And I have never been with a team that lives in the moment as much as this one. We are all about the game that day.”
The Rockies’ bullpen, armed with a 2.78 ERA, has created confidence throughout the team. There’s no better feeling than knowing a late cushion is safe. The Rockies are 13-0 when leading after the seventh inning.
“It all starts with pitching, and those guys have been great,” shortstop Troy Tulo- witzki said.
Moving parts.
The weather has created a rotation adjustment, and quite possibly will lead to a roster tweak. With back-to-back off days, the Rockies will start Jhoulys Chacin in the series opener against the Pirates on Friday, followed by Jason Hammel and Ubaldo Jimenez. Esmil Rogers will likely be pushed back to Wednesday.
The extra rest frees the Rockies to make a roster move if they choose to add a position player. There are several players hitting well in Triple-A, including Ian Stewart and Chris Nelson. Stewart reached base six times Tuesday, going 4-for-4 with a home run.
Footnotes.
Carlos Gonzalez spent more time in the batting cage Wednesday. He said the video comparisons of his swing this year and last year were illuminating. “You could see how I was pulling off the ball. I made an adjustment. I am getting close to getting it back.” . . . Bulls sharpshooter Kyle Korver was a pregame guest of Ryan Spilborghs. The athletes work out together in Santa Barbara, Calif., at Peak Performance Project.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
