Albert Einstein established the three rules of work: Out of clutter find simplicity. From discord find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
Or, as the famous philosopher Earl Weaver once said, “When all else fails, hit a three-run home run.”
Colorado tied the franchise record for April wins when Chris Iannetta lost a fastball into the bullpen, the defining moment in the Rockies’ 4-1 victory over the Pirates on a raw Saturday night at Coors Field.
“It’s a formula that works,” first baseman Todd Helton said.
Colorado finished April perched atop the National League West with a record of 17-8. Last year, the Rockies fell out of first place the second day of the season and never returned.
The Rockies’ record is not even the most impressive statistic. With apologies to Jason Hammel’s solid start — after opening his first two seasons with the Rockies 1-3, he’s 3-1 this season — the offense has the market cornered.
Or homered.
Colorado owns eight three-run home runs. By eight different players. And not one of them is named Carlos Gonzalez.
“Sick,” Iannetta said. “That’s just crazy.”
Following a difficult loss by the Rockies on Friday, Hammel began exactly the way he didn’t want. Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen sent the right-hander’s fourth pitch over the center-field fence for his eighth career leadoff home run.
“I thought, ‘There goes the shutout,’ ” Hammel said tongue in cheek.
As quickly as McCutchen’s ball left the park, Hammel settled down, turning the Pirates’ offense into a silent library. Living ahead in the count, Hammel forced the Pirates to try and make a living off his breaking pitches.
Pittsburgh finished with six hits off Hammel, dousing its own rallies by hitting into three double plays. Helton started a pair with nifty glove work and fearless throws to second base. He credited Hammel’s tempo for keeping defenders in rhythm.
The Rockies have turned 30 double plays, compared to just 12 for their opponents.
Blend good pitching with good defense and a team doesn’t have to hit a lot. It’s not a matter of how much with the Rockies, but when. And they have been uncanny with their best swings. Iannetta took his turn against Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm in the second inning. Fighting to gain traction like many in the Rockies’ lineup, the catcher belted an 87-mph fastball into the bullpen.
“I was looking to be more aggressive in the strike zone,” said Iannetta of his third home run. “I let it go a little bit.”
The inning began with a Gonzalez double, one of his two hits, as he emerges from his offensive hibernation. Jose Lopez, trapped in a 3-for-37 slump, bunted safely, followed by Seth Smith’s run-scoring infield single.
“We are doing the little things,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy explained.
The small ball was a beautiful nuance. But a jab didn’t win this game. It was Hammel’s right arm and Iannetta’s hammer of a home run.
“Our pitching is keeping us in every game,” Iannetta said. “We know we have to get our offense going. We’ve made the most of our big hits, but this isn’t who we are.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Pirates at Rockies, 1:10 p.m., Root
Ubaldo Jimenez (0-1, 6.75) has experienced challenging Aprils before. Everyone notices now because he’s a star. He showed real progress last Sunday before tiring. His fastball not only flirted with 97 mph, the late, sinking action returned. His arm should be conditioned at this point to work six or seven solid innings. In his first 15 pitches of games, opponents are hitting .375, so minimizing damage early is key. Charlie Morton (2-1, 3.00) has been a stabilizing force in the Pirates’ rotation. He’s effectively wild (18 walks in 33 innings).
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (4-0, 2.61) at Diamondbacks’ Joe Saunders (0-3, 5.93), 7:40 p.m., Root
Wednesday: Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (3-2, 2.91) at Diamondbacks’ Barry Enright (1-2, 5.76), 7:40 p.m., Root
Thursday: Rockies’ Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.23) at Diamondbacks’ Armando Galarraga (3-2, 5.46), 7:40 p.m., Root
