Rockies reliever Jason Motte has run hot, and very cold, this season.
Friday night, the veteran right-hander gave up a two-run homer in the eighth inning to Atlanta’s Jace Peterson, nearly costing Colorado a victory. The Rockies held on for a 4-3 win, but Motte’s inconsistency has been his trademark this season.
He entered Saturday having been charged with eight runs in his last five appearances, but manager Walt Weiss continues to express confidence in Motte as a late-game option.
“Last night, on the home run, it was just a cutter that sat in the middle of the plate,” Weiss said. “He’s had some good outings, too. He’s got some big outs for us. So yeah, I still have confidence in him.”
Weiss also explained that with right-hander Adam Ottavino unavailable Friday night, and lefty Jake McGee still struggling to find his command, Motte was his only workable option in the eighth before turning to left-hander Boone Logan.
Prior to his current skid, Motte had made five consecutive scoreless relief outings. Still, his 5.95 ERA and 1.58 WHIP play are far worse than his career marks (3.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP).
“It’s like anything, it’s day to day,” Motte said. “Some days I’m good, I’m where I need to be, and other days, it’s like anything. You have to go out there and battle.”
Motte, whose start to the season was delayed until May 25 because of a sore shoulder, said he’s 100 percent healthy now.
Looking Ahead…
Braves RHP Tyrell Jenkins (0-1, 4.05 ERA) at Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (8-6, 3.83), 2:10 p.m. Sunday, ROOT, 850 AM
Chatwood is still trying to solve his Coors Field dilemma. He got beat up in his last start at Coors against Tampa Bay, giving up a season-high seven earned runs on eight hits in just three innings. He allowed a home run for the first time in 52 innings. His command was missing, and as manager Walt Weiss said, “he was spraying his fastball.” Contrast that to the right-hander’s road performance, where he is 5-0 with a 1.30 ERA in eight starts. Jenkins is coming off just his second career start. He’s never faced Colorado.
Monday: Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 6.07 ERA) at Orioles’ RHP Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 5.69), 5:05 p.m., ROOT
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (8-6, 5.31) at Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (14-2, 3.18), 5:50 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (6-4, 4.12) at Orioles’ RHP Dylan Bundy (3-2, 3.30), 5:05 p.m., ROOT
