LOS ANGELES — Not sure about Rome at the moment, but Los Angeles is burning.
It was, anyway, until Saturday, when it took 41 firefighters to extinguish a fire at Dodger Stadium. The incident was the latest in a long line of fiscal and fiery mishaps involving one of baseball’s most storied franchises.
Meanwhile, the distinct aroma of gas permeates the air in Denver, where the Rockies have posted their fourth 20-loss month in franchise history. Now for their saving grace: They play in the National League West, where hovering around .500 means you’re in contention.
“Obviously, we’re not playing the baseball we wish we were playing,” Troy Tulowitzki said. “But the other teams have left an opportunity. To be only a few games out, it makes you stand back and say: ‘Only a few? How? We’ve been playing terrible.’ So there’s still an opportunity ahead for us.”
Here’s a look back at the month that was in the NL West, and a look ahead:
Arizona
What went right: The Diamondbacks won 15-of-17 to move to the top of the division. They’re running the bases aggressively and developing unlikely heroes. To wit: Rookie Josh Collmenter is 4-1, 1.61 ERA since joining the rotation.
What went wrong: Not much.
Bottom line: They have flaws, but they could be this year’s Padres.
San Francisco
What went right: The pitching continued to dominate. The Giants rank fourth in the league in ERA (3.29) and second in opponents’ batting average (.231).
What went wrong: They were winning games the way they always win them — it’s called pitching, pitching and more pitching — before Buster Posey’s season-ending collision at the plate.
Bottom line: They’re 15-6 in one-run games. You wonder if they can sustain that with Posey’s bat gone for the season.
Colorado
What went right: Um, we’ll have to get back to you on that one.
What went wrong: They’re under .500 at Coors Field and they lost Jorge De La Rosa for the season. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, it’s all good.
Bottom line: Carlos Gonzalez and Tulowitzki figure to break out one of these weeks. It’d better happen soon or the Rockies could be buried.
Los Angeles
What went right: Owner Frank McCourt made payroll last week. Or was that owner Jamie McCourt?
What went wrong: A lot, including Jonathan Broxton, after an encouraging start, going on the DL.
Bottom line: No pun intended, but the fire sale figures to come in July.
San Diego
What went right: Mat Latos won a game after losing 10 decisions in a row. And whom was it against? The Rockies, who also lost to Arizona’s Joe Saunders when he came to town with the same record (0-5) as Latos.
What went wrong: Is 13-14 a bad month? Not after the Padres’ dreadful 10-17 April.
Bottom line: Despite the Rockies’ best effort, the Padres seem destined to stay in last place.
