Tagged: Rockies Opening Day
GAME RECAP: Rockies Beat Astros 5-3 in Opening Day Victory
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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LIVE GAME UPDATE: Tulo Homers to Make Rockies Lead 5-3
Troy Tulowitzki is in the house. The Rockies are making a strong bid to take home a win in their first regular season game this 2012 Season.
Tulo did not mess around as he smashed a homer out of the ballpark to give the Rockies a 5-3 lead in the ninth inning. There isn’t a whole bunch to recap about a solo homer but is was great to see Tulo smash a homer out of Minute Maid Field an know that the Rockies are ready to go. The rest of the Rockies went down in order, but after Dexter Fowler grounded out and Carlos Gonzalez popped out, Tulo made sure the Rockies did not go down 1-2-3. He smashed a solo bomb out of the park to right/center field.
Well, it seems the Rockies will be taking a W away today in the 2012 Opening Day game. The current score is 5-3 Rockies in the bottom of the ninth with two outs.
LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Score on Butchered Pick-off Play
Well, the Rockies have finally taken back the lead on their Opening Day game. The Astros have played a 4 error baseball while the Rockies have remained error free, and the Astros are finally paying for it. Its been 8 innings of baseball for the Astros this season, and they are already racking up errors.
Ramon Hernandez continued to hit well in the first Regular Season game of the Rockies’ season, as he singled and was replaced by pinch runner Eric Young Jr. EY was set to go and show off his speed Opening Day, and he did not hesitate. With Chris Nelson batting, EY showed off his speed as he stole second base. EY was trying to steal third when he got stuck between second and third with the ball in the catcher’s hand. It looked like EY was in a pickle, but on a throwing error by Astros catcher Jason Castro led the ball into the outfield. EY took the chance and used his explosive speed to pop-up slide into third, and then sprinted home to give the Rockies the lead. It was a great, and fast play that meant the lead for the Rockies
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LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Score Three Against Astros In Third, Tie Game 3-3
Rockies baseball in the Regular Season is underway, and It looks like the Rockies have a reaction to the Astros scoring in the first. After Carlos Lee singled to score teammate Jose Altuve, the Astros lead the Rockies 1-0 and the Astros fans were excited. The table has been reversed as the Rockies now have three runs after several hits and an error by the Astros.
In the top of the third, Marco Scutaro led the inning off by getting a single on a line drive to left field. The Rockies would then continue to capitalize on the single as Dexter Fowler dropped a bunt, that was officially counted as a sac bunt with a throwing error, but seemed more like a well place bunt. The error was the ball being thrown away by the Astros, allowing Scutaro to advance to third base and Fowler to second. Carlos Gonzalez would ground out to give the Astros their first out, but that did not stop the Rockies’ momentum as Troy Tulowitzki hit a sac fly to right field, allowing Marco Scutaro to score and Dexter Fowler to advance to third. Boy was I excited, it is a wonderful feeling to see your team come back to get the game tied on Opening Day after a long offseason. The Rockies had tied the game, but they want the lead.
They got it. Todd Helton, who was making his 15th straight Opening Day start, hit a double to score Dexter Fowler and clear the bases other than himself.
Micheal Cuddyer proceeded to single on a sot line drive to right field, and score Helton. Cuddyer entered the Rockies baseball season on a good note, but continued to make a good impression on Rockies fans by stealing second base with new Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez at bat. Hernandez would single and advance Cuddyer to third. The Rockies had achieved a 3-1 lead but the top of the inning had to end some time, and Chris Nelson brought the Rockies at bat in the third inning to the end with a ground out.
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LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Opening Day is Minutes Away, Lets Go, Rockies!
The familiar ROOT Sports theme is playing, the Rockies are ready to go, and the drought of Regular Season Baseball for the Rockies is about to end. Already the Taco Bell ad staring Carlos Gonzalez has played on monitors all over Colorado, and who knows how many people will say “We Want Tacos” today. Hopefully the Rockies will start their season on a high note and score at least 7 runs (for the Taco Bell special) and maybe get a win for their first game. Starting the season with a W would be nice, and seeing the new additions of the Rockies click together in the real deal is what people have waited to see for so long. Seeing them play in Spring Training is one thing, but seeing the real real deal is even better. Here is the starting lineup for the Rockies on Opening Day 2012:
1. Marco Scutaro, 2B
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Ramon Hernandez, C
8. Chris Nelson, 3B
9. Jeremy Guthrie, P
For more information on the Rockies starter, batting ninth, Jeremy Guthrie here is a post I wrote previously: ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Pitcher; Looking at Jeremy Guthrie; The Rockies’ #1 Opening Day Starter in 2012 . There are several new additions in the Rockies’ lineup: batting first; Marco Scutaro, a new 2B acquisition from the Boston Red Sox, batting sixth; Micheal Cuddyer, a new outfielder from the Twins batting seventh; Ramon Hernandez, a new catching pick-up from the Cincinnati Reds and batting ninth; Jeremy Guthrie, a new right-handed pitcher from the Oriels. Marco Scutaro will be playing next to Troy Tulowitzki, who is batting fourth. Tulo is batting fourth behind Carlos Gonzalez who is batting third, and CarGo is batting behind Dexter Fowler, who is hitting second.
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ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Young Pitchers POST SERIES; Josh Outman
THIS POST IS PART OF THE: ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW New Young Pitchers POST SERIES
Josh Outman
Josh Outman, another new offseason acquisition obtained from the Athletics in a trade this offseason has also made it on to the Rockies’ Roster, but unfortunately he will be starting this season on the DL. The lefty reliever had been suffering from a bout with food poisoning which resulted in his oblique injury. Somehow, Outman concurred an oblique strain resulting from food poisoning, and possibly vomiting, an injury that will land him on the 15 day Disabled List.
It’s an unfortunate injury as the Rockies were really hoping he would get back on track.
When Outman was obtained from the Athletics he had a 0-1 record and a 5.0 ERA. More important than anything for a reliever, his ERA was not good, and needed to be fixed for him to be successful. Even with the Athletics, Outman had a bout with triceps tendinitis in his throwing arm. Despite it looking like Outman was just a bad pick-up for the Rockies, Outman did have some good relief appearances before his problems with tendinitis.
The Rockies had planned to bring eight relief pitchers and three starters for today’s Opening Day game, and to make moves allowing them to activate Jamie Moyer for his start on Sunday. But this plan was not needed as Outman was removed from the roster, allowing space for Moyer. Another option for the Rockies was to bring Alex White, a part of the Ubaldo Jimenez deal with the Indians last year, but Jim Tracy said the Rockies would use him as a starter in Triple-A Colorado Springs. White was converted to the bullpen late in camp, but it seems the Rockies would like to condition him in Triple-A
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ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Young Pitchers POST SERIES; Tyler Chatwood
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Tyler Chatwood
Tyler Chatwood is a new acquisition for the Rockies, and to be honest I was not expecting him to be on the Rockies’ Roster on Opening Day. The right-handed reliever was not exactly a stable pitcher during his time with the Rockies. After starting (pun intended) last year with the Angels, Chatwood came to the Rockies but could not break into the rotation. The Rockies eventually agreed to have him as a reliever, but even with less innings, Chatwood had his difficulties.
The 22-year-old has had his troubles, but was lucky enough to make the Rockies’ Roster as a reliever. In the victory over the Marlins game on Tuesday, Chatwood did not seem to be on his game as he gave up seven hits and four runs in 1 2/3 innings. In that game against the Marlins, the first batter Chatwood faced, Carlos Peguaro, homered off Chatwood’s slider. While the Rockies came out of the game with a Spring Training W, with a 9-8 score, Chatwood likely didn’t win anything with his performance.
Last year, injuries to the Angel’s lineup forced the halos to call up Chatwood, but he proved no replacement for a Angels staff, as he pitched to a 4.75 ERA. Chatwood went 6-11 in 27 games, 25 of which were starts. He proved to be a largely unstable pitcher last year, but the Rockies may be able to afford some time for Chatwood to break in to the majors at the beginning of the season. Jim Tracy said about Chatwood; “Let’s wait and see what type of progression takes place as we go along.” If Chatwood does improve in the first part of the season, he could be another piece of the Rockies’ young bullpen in this season and more in the future.
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ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Young Pitchers POST SERIES; Josh Reonicke
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Josh Reonicke
Some Rockies fans or baseball fans who followed the Rockies last year may remember the name Josh Reonicke. If not, its OK. Reonicke was not a huge part of the Rockies’ bullpen last year, but he played an important role as he tried to prove himself to be part of the Rockies’ roster for seasons to come, and try to help the Rockies’ bullpen get back on track. Roenicke had some ups and downs last year, but this year is a fresh start and Reonicke isn’t starting it off half bad.
Reonicke has now made the Rockies’ roster, for Opening Day against the Astros in a few hours, and it wasn’t too easy either. Although Roenicke did have an advantage, as he no longer had any minor league options with the Rockies, he still brought his standards up and proved himself to the Rockies. His advantage was, if the Rockies let him go back to the minor leagues, they would risk losing him to another team. If the Rockies had sent Reonicke down to the minors, in a way, they could be saying goodbye, if another team picked him up off waivers. So, the Rockies had a hard decision to make. They were a little under the gun to make a decision, but given Reonicke entered Spring Training 1-0 with a 5.17 ERA, the decision got harder.
The Rockies needed to make a decision, the 29-year-old righty reliever could be an important part of the Rockies’ young bullpen, but the Rockies know what the downside could be as well. For the Rockies, keeping a man with a 5.17 ERA in 64 Major League games could prove costly if he took up a valuable roster spot.
Josh Reonicke knew this.
Reonicke even said: “I wanted to come in here and pitch my way onto the team”, and he did. Reonicke kicked his game up a notch, and in 11 appearances made his ERA 0.73. Not bad. Reonicke again went 1-0, but this time he was much more appealing to the Rockies. In the end the 29-year-old right-handed reliever landed himself a roster spot with the Rockies, and said; “When I found out I made the team, it was exciting”. And While it may be exiting for him, I think many Rockies fans are excited for this Opening Day game, as Reonicke and the Rest of the Rockies team will be at Minute Made Field in the bullpen in a matter of hours.
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ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Young Pitchers POST SERIES; Intro
THIS POST IS PART OF THE: ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW New Young Pitchers POST SERIES
All offseason long, as analysts from all over the country, and me alike, take part in their ritual of predicting the success of teams, one of the consistent things which keeps coming up for the Rockies is young pitching. While the Rockies might also have 49-year-old Jamie Moyer on the team, the Rockies have a predominantly young rotation and bullpen. As well, during the offseason, and in Spring Training, the Rockies have had the opportunity to see prospects pitch to Major League-rs, and the Rockies added a few guys to their rotation and bullpen. As Opening Day approaches, just hours away, I wanted to do a report on some of the Rockies’ new or somewhat lesser known pitching additions.
So, I am publishing a Series of posts in the ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW New Young Pitchers POST SERIES, which gives information about Josh Reonicke, Tyler Chatwood, and Josh Outman. These posts are stuffed full with information about these young pitchers, so stay tuned to the Rockies Reporting MLBlog for these posts to publish soon!
ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Pitcher; Looking at Jeremy Guthrie; The Rockies’ #1 Opening Day Starter in 2012
Its been a long offseason, and while my trip and coverage of Spring Training helped me not get too bored without baseball, it is nice that the Regular Season is only hours away hours away. I mean, seriously it has been like seven whole months since the Rockies last played a Regular Season game, let’s go guys! While the Rockies have not made any huge moves, and have stayed safe by not getting rid of too many players, they have still made a significant amount of moves around their roster. Some of the biggest moves have come to the Rockies’ rotation and bullpen.
I want to start my ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW coverage off with a look at the man who will be involved in every play tomorrow as the Rockies take on the Astros. He is a pitcher, and the Rockies’ number 1 at that. I think that the Rockies new starter, Jeremy Guthrie may be the most important pick-up for the Rockies this offseason. Guthrie is coming to the Rockies from the Baltimore Oriels, where he has played many of his major league games. To illustrate his amount of games with the Oriels and Cubs, I can pull out this quote from Guthrie; “My first two starts will be in parks I’ve never been to, let alone pitched in, so there will be a lot of new experiences”. So, Guthrie may have not had to deal with changing teams in the Majors before, but it seems to me that Guthrie is adjusting well. Guthrie is already set to be the Rockies’ number 1 starter, and to pitch tomorrow. Guthrie is a fun character with a great sense of humor and a great man to have around.
This offseason, the Rockies have focused a lot on getting good clubhouse chemistry, and Guthrie is a great guy to help all the pieces fit together. Guthrie seems like an all around good guy. Oh wait, have I complimented Jeremy Guthrie yet? As you can tell I like the guy. With the Oriels he played good, he has a great personality, and is the Rockies’ first starter. But there is one thing I am forgetting to say. You would not want to have to fill Jeremy Guthrie’s shoes.
He has a lot of them. In fact, Jeremy has so many, he has his on vault for them; that’s right, his own personal “Shoe Vault”. He once even did a video interview with MLB Network from in his vault of shoes. Guthrie has in his possession of hundreds of Nike shoes, and it doesn’t seem like he will need to stop buying them if he continues to have success in MLB.
While Guthrie may be an avid Nike collector, he also showed off another cool piece of apparel at a Rockies game this Spring Training. He pitched well for a large Saint Patrick’s day crowd while showing off a green glove. It was a cool glove, and the bases were also green for the special day, while even the Dodgers broke out “Dodger green” (has anyone said that before?) uniforms to go with the theme. A picture I took at this game shows Guthrie’s green glove, and a green first base on the diamond a Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Jeremy Guthrie touts a green glove while playing on a diamond with green bases at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick against the Dodgers on Saint Patrick's Day in Spring Training 2012. © 2012 rockingroxfan
The Rockies did win this game with a walk-off bomb from Tim Wheeler, so it seems the Rockies did have a bit of good luck from Saint Patrick.
So, given Guthrie is the Rockies’ number 1 starter he will be starting Opening Day at the age of 31. But by the time his next start rolls around, Guthrie will be 32. Guthrie, whose birthday falls on Sunday, will face off against the Astro’s Wandy Rodriguez as he starts off the Rockies’ 2012 Regular Season in Houston Texas. Some fans may be sad that the Rockies don’t open at home this year, but on the other hand, this may be the last season the Rockies face the Astros for a while, as the Astros are scheduled to move to the American League next year. About the Rockies’ pitching staff in 2012, even Guthrie said; “Its kind of a recipe for success, hopefully, and one that can go for a few years in a row.”
Guthrie has been relatively successful in his good time in the Major Leagues, as last year he pitched for a 4.33 ERA and a 9-17 record. His last season with the Oriels was not ideal, but I bet he can do better, perhaps with a change of scenery. Just to put that in context next to the Rockies, If Guthrie had been a Rockies pitcher last year, he would have had the second-lowest ERA on the team but the second-highest Total Wins.
But I’ll try to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all he has a Shoe Vault, Green Glove, great personality and a strong arm. It will just be nice to see Guthrie on the mound tomorrow as he shows off the best piece of apparel he may wear tomorrow, a Rockies uniform. The best of luck to you, Guthrie!, rockingroxfan
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