Well, I called it. Not to brag or anything but it is pretty exciting that the Rockies have started the season on a great note, with a win. It was cool to see the Rockies come together and see the Rockies offense work together right, and to see the pitching work well together. The Rockies had the right combination of risk, skill, and teamwork to make sure they overcame the Astros and secured their first win if the season, on their first game of the Regular Season.

Jeremy Guthrie pitched well, to hold the Astros to four hits, but three runs, in the Rockies victory. Guthrie played with the Oriels last year, and while pitching there, had little run support to help back him up. Well, tonight the Rockies were there to back up their new number 1. starter with five runs in the exciting nine inning game. Guthrie pitched for seven of those nine innings, pitching up to his purpose of being an innings eater. For more information on Guthrie here is a post I posted yesterday: ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Pitcher; Looking at Jeremy Guthrie; The Rockies’ #1 Opening Day Starter in 2012 .

In the third inning, the Rockies scored three of their five runs in response to the one run scored by the Astros in the first inning. In the end of the Rockies’ at-bat in the third inning, Marco Scutaro, Dexter Fowler, and Todd Helton had all scored. Carlos Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki, and Michael Cuddyer were the men behind those runs scoring (other than Scutaro, Dexter, and Helton) and it just goes to show ho important a strong lineup all the way through is. For a post I wrote as a LIVE GAME UPDATE for those runs here is the link: LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Score Three Against Astros In Third, Tie Game 3-3 .

The Rockies were not done scoring yet, though as Eric Young Jr. scored after a butchered play by the Astros. New Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez hit a single, and manager Jim Tracy decided to bring in EY as a pinch runner. EY proceeded to be, well, EY, as he stole second base with Chris Nelson at bat. Then, EY attempted to steal third, but the Astros caught him halfway between second and third and it looked like EY would not stand a chance. Lucky for the Rockies, Astros catcher Jason Castro hurled the ball into the outfield in an attempt to catch EY. Young would pop-up slide into third, see the loose ball and fly home at an incredible speed. For my LIVE GAME UPDATE post on this run click this link: LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Score on Butchered Pick-off Play .

The final scoring run of the game was Troy Tulowitzki’s monster homer out of the park at Minute Maid Field. Tulo blasted the baseball clear out of the park, and trotted around the bases. Tulo may have only scored one run on his solo shot to right/center field, but the insurance run gave the Rockies, well, insurance. To read my post on this click this link: LIVE GAME UPDATE: Tulo Homers to Make Rockies Lead 5-3 .

Really, the only alarms that went off for the Rockies blew in the bottom of the ninth as hopeful Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt came to the mound to replace stellar Rex Brothers. Betancourt gave up a double and a walk to the Astros after two groundouts, but for the Rockies, the risk of the Astros walking off with a win (pun intended) was not an appealing one. Luckily Betancourt was able to recover and get the last K to end the game with a 5-3 Rockies win.

If the Rockies can secure a good closer for their season  to come, I think it is only a matter of time until the Rockies are in full motion, and winning games. Perhaps Rex Brothers, who had an impressive outing, is the closer of the future, as a ROOT Sports announcer suggested. Who knows?

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