ST.LOUIS — The secret formula has been revealed. For the Rockies’ four-man rotation to work, they just need to pitch left-hander Jeff Francis on zero days rest.
He’s been the light tower for the wayward staff, showing how a path to success can be found by throwing strikes. The Rockies won 3-2 on Tuesday for only the seventh time in their last 25 games, surviving Rafael Betancourt’s latest ninth-inning wobble at Busch Stadium.
“Based on the way I have felt all summer and worked between starts, I do believe I would feel this way (without the pitch count),” Francis said. “It’s very gratifying. I love being here. I have been able to take advantage of it and hopefully it sticks.”
If the last month has illustrated anything, it’s that Colorado is a pretty good team when Francis starts. The Rockies are 5-1 in his games since he joined the team June 9. They are 2-15 during this span when anyone else has started.
Turning point. Having blown three of his last five save attempts, Betancourt walked knee-deep into trouble again. With runners on the corners, Betancourt delivered his best pitch in weeks, striking out the Cardinals’ John Jay looking for his 13th save. Before the ninth inning, Cardinals slugger Matt Holliday was a wrecking ball. He has created havoc in the series, homering in back-to-back games. As such, he was the last guy the Rockies wanted to see batting with the bases loaded in the seventh inning. That was the scenario after left-hander Rex Brothers walked Jay, leaving Matt Belisle to break out the mop for his latest aisle cleanup. The right-hander jammed Holliday, who chopped a groundball to third base to end the threat.
On the mound. Realizing he must pound the strike zone or else, Francis has allowed two runs or fewer in his last four starts, complementing his fastball with an effective changeup and slow curveball. Francis traversed five innings Tuesday and escaped major damage, tagged only by Holliday’s 14th home run and fifth against the Rockies. Josh Roenicke worked his major league-high 49th inning as a reliever. He owns a 1.82 ERA since April 28.
At the plate. In a point that’s been driven home for weeks, Colvin showed again Tuesday why he needs to play every day, even if that means less playing time for Todd Helton. Colvin, who believed in the spring that changes to his swing had taken root, allowing him to hit the ball regularly to the opposite field, clubbed a three-run homer in the third inning off the Cardinals’ Joe Kelly. He has seven homers in his last 18 games and reached double figures for 2012 with Tuesday’s blast to right.
“I have been in the situation before (in Chicago). I have to come here ready to play every day,” Colvin said. “Whatever skip needs me for, I will be ready.”
What it means. The Rockies should seriously consider bringing back Francis next season. He can provide guidance, intelligence and sanity.
