ST. LOUIS — At this point, you half expect Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and Matlock to gather in Coors Field for a summit to solve the mystery that is Jason Hammel.
“That’s what I am trying to figure out, guy,” Hammel said. “I know I have the talent. It’s between the ears.”
When he’s right, Hammel’s thumb is pressed firmly on an opponent. In five of his seven victories, he’s allowed two runs or fewer, among them Saturday night’s 6-1 win over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
On nights like this, he reeks confidence, throws four-seam fastballs on both sides of the plates. He sneaks in a curveball like a room tax on an already aggravating bill.
When he’s wrong, he issues repeated walks, can’t make a pitch with runners in scoring position and says things like: “That’s the mystery of Jason Hammel. You don’t know what you are going to get in every other start.”
The quote was both funny and brutally honest. Fact is, Hammel entered Saturday’s start with his grip loosening on a rotation spot given the team’s desire to see both Drew Pomeranz and Alex White in September. White pitched four scoreless innings in Double-A on Saturday, leaving him on track.
Saturday, the Hammel of April reappeared, when he went 3-1 with a 3.23 ERA. That guy would be a lock for the staff next year. He’s already under contract, but the Rockies need more production at his $4.75 million salary given the already top-heavy payroll.
Hammel turned in his best performance since June 5, allowing just one run in 6 1/3 innings. He was in complete command, getting ahead in the count and forcing the Cardinals to swing at pitches off the plate. The remaining starts offer both an audition for Hammel to stay with the Rockies and to increase his trade value.
“That’s the most aggressive he’s been. You think the players couldn’t sense that?” said manager Jim Tracy, whose team will attempt to snap a 16-game losing streak on Sundays in tonight’s ESPN game.
This was the type of the game glaringly missing from the Rockies’ resume. The starter was solid, Carlos Gonzalez torched a left-handed pitcher (Jaime Garcia) and Todd Helton made a team pay for an intentional walk. It made for a joyous clubhouse as the ban on clubhouse music, started on July 26, was lifted.
More than anything else, CarGo’s ability to smash left-handers last season made him an MVP candidate. He hit .320 off them. He entered Saturday at .240 before lining a three-run home run in the third inning, the first Garcia has allowed to a left-hander since Ryan Howard on July 21, 2010.
Prior to the game, Helton wasn’t even the biggest star in the clubhouse. Good friend Peyton Manning, whose Colts were in town to play the Rams, stopped by to say hello. Helton went out and showed why he too will be in the Hall of Fame argument someday, doubling off Garcia in the fifth after Tulowitzki was walked.
“You take everything in this game personal,” Helton said.
Tulowitzki was hitting nearly 40 points better off lefties. So there were clues to the decision. Now, if the Rockies could only unlock those surrounding Hammel.
“I am not going to stop working,” Hammel said, “until I can become the pitcher I’m capable of being.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Cardinals, 6:05 p.m., ESPN
Esmil Rogers (6-1, 5.85 ERA) is conjuring up images of Rockies pitchers before the humidor was installed in 2002. On the road, Rogers is 5-0 with a 3.86 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .267 against him. At home, he’s 1-1 with a 12.10 ERA, allowing the same number of earned runs as on the road in 20 2/3 fewer innings. Rogers trusts his slider more in visiting parks, throwing it in all counts. He’s trying to stake claim to a rotation spot entering spring training. Matt Holliday has homered off him. Edwin Jackson (8-8, 4.07), in his seventh organization, is looking to provide stability in the Cardinals’ rotation. Jason Giambi (5-for-16, five RBIs) could get a spot start against the right-hander. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Monday: Marlins’ Clay Hensley (1-4, 4.50 ERA) at Rockies’ Kevin Millwood (0-1, 3.86), 6:40 p.m., Root
Tuesday: Marlins’ Anibal Sanchez (6-6, 4.00) at Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (9-9 3.39), 6:40 p.m., Root
Wednesday: Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco (9-8, 3.72) at Rockies’ Aaron Cook (2-7, 5.43), 6:40 p.m., Root
Thursday: Off
