SAN DIEGO — Head in hands, back slouched, eyes turned — manager Jim Tracy’s body language eloquently explains this road trip as well as English or Spanish.
With this team hoping to make a statement, to keep hope lingering, the Rockies instead provided affirmation of their also-ran status with five losses in their past six games. There are many reasons this season had been a huge disappointment, ranging from crippling injuries to a talent gap (the Rockies are 9-26 against current National League playoff teams Philadelphia, Arizona, Milwaukee and Atlanta).
But the one issue that has left Tracy grinding his teeth of late is the Rockies’ inability to deliver the big hit. Fourteen times this season the Rockies have recorded double-digit hits — and lost.
It happened six times in August, a statistic not lost on the manager as he has watched in disbelief from the dugout.
“When you look at the runs we have scored this year, there are so many opportunities that have gotten away from us,” said Tracy, whose team begins a three-game series at Petco Park tonight against the Padres needing to go 18-7 to finish with a winning record.
“I guarantee you with the number of close games we’ve played there’s been a lot of winnable games with an at-bat here and there. It completely changes the dynamic of the season. We have a month of baseball to be played. Hopefully we do a lot better job at it. It’s been our downfall all year.”
The statistics, at first glance, are misleading. Only the Cardinals and Reds, among National League teams, have scored more than the Rockies’ 626 runs. But with any proficiency in the clutch the Rockies would lead the NL.
To Tracy’s point, the Rockies rank 20th in baseball with a .249 average with runners in scoring position. That’s how a team can total 13 hits, as the Rockies did Tuesday, and lose.
“It’s something we know we have to get better at,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said.
The question is, how? The Rockies simulate game situations in batting practice, beginning in spring training. They talk about the importance of moving runners over, using the big part of the field. But too often, even when the opposition is conceding outs by playing the infield back, the Rockies can’t put up a crooked number.
Wednesday’s loss provided another example. The Rockies created traffic, and the Diamondbacks created damage. The game, for all intents and purposes, was over with Miguel Montero’s three-run home run in the first inning.
“We had opportunities all over the place, and they changed the game with one swing,” Tracy lamented, adding that it’s not like the Rockies are getting destroyed in all their losses. “We have a lot of winnable games if we execute. When we get those chances, we have to capitalize.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
FRIDAY: Rockies at Padres, 8:05 p.m., Root
A street free agent a few weeks ago, Kevin Millwood (1-1, 4.26 ERA) is arguably the Rockies’ best starter right now. It’s a testament to his perseveranceand the mess that the rotation has become. Millwood has worked at least seven innings twice and eased the burden on a taxed bullpen. The right-hander gives up too many home runs (six in four games), but San Diego is where flyballs go to die. Aaron Harang (12-4, 3.92) won the magic ticket over the winter as the free agent lucky enough to sign with the Padres. Harang has won six times at Petco Park. Ty Wigginton gives him fits, homering twice in 12 at-bats.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Saturday: Rockies’ Alex White (0-1, 7.50 ERA) at Padres’ Cory Luebke (5-7, 3.01), 6:35 p.m., Root
Sunday: Rockies’ Aaron Cook (3-8, 5.82) at Padres’ Mat Latos (6-13, 3.82), 2:05 p.m., Root
Monday: Diamondbacks’ Wade Miley (2-1, 3.94) at Rockies’ Esmil Rogers (6-4, 5.94), 1:10 p.m., Root
