Jeff Francis returns... dazzles!

Jeff Francis has made his long-awaited return to the Major Leagues! It was his first start since September 12, 2008. In 2008, Francis underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. The surgery was a serious one, which few return from. However, during the day game at Coors Field, Francis pitched seven nearly flawless innings, giving up a first inning run, but striking out six. Rockies Manager, Jim Tracy, planned to keep Francis on a strict pitch count of 100 pitches, which Francis surpassed as he worked himself out of a two-on, no-out seventh inning, in which he struck out Scott Olsen and Nyjer Morgan and then got Ian Desmond to pop out. The game was indeed a pitching duel, as Francis faced off against Scott Olsen, who surrendered only a run also. The Rockies came through when Seth Smith drew a pinch-hit walk, and Carlos Gonzalez followed with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Dexter Fowler moved the runners into scoring position, and then Brad Hawpe, hit one deep to score a tagging Smith via the sacrifice fly. What a day of baseball! It's good to have you back, Francis!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300516127

May 10, 2010 - Rockies vs Phillies

Last night, May 10, 2010, I went to the game versus the Philadelphia Phillies.. My wife and I sat above the fountains in center field in Section 201. Pitching for us was Greg Smith and for the Phillies was Kyle Kendrick. We were a few minutes late and missed Shane Victorino's lead-off triple, and then Placido Polanco's sacrifice fly to right field to score Victorino. By the time we were in our seats the Rockies were batting. Immediately, in the first inning, Seth Smith singled to start off the Rockies. Speedy Dexter Fowler sacrifice bunted Smith to second, and then a struggling Jason Giambi broke out of his early season slump with a single to right field scoring Smith. A couple innings later it seemed like déjà vu with Seth Smith (after doubling, and advancing on a ground out) on third, and Giambi up, as he whacked one to center field scoring Smith and the Rockies took their first lead, 2-1.


The game went back and forth in the 5th inning on some keys hits and unfortunate sloppy play. With one out in the 5th, with Victorino on third base and Polanco on first base, the Rockies had a perfect double play ball to shortstop Clint Barmes, which was fed to Melvin Mora at second, but was lost in the exchange. Mora held on long enough to make the out at second, but Polanco disrupted the play enough for Victorino to score and for the inning to continue. Which, the inning did continue on a double by Jayson Werth to left field, which scored Howard from first when Seth Smith badly misjudged the ball off the left field wall, putting the Phillies up 3-2.


Upset by his error earlier in the inning, Seth Smith roped a ball down the right field line, raced around the bases and stood up with a Triple. Fowler walked, and then picther Kendrick balked in Smith, and advanced Fowler to second base. Brad Hawpe singled to center, scoring Fowler, and giving the Rockies the lead 4-3.


In the 6th inning, Carlos Ruiz homered to left field (414 feet), and then a triple by Victorino and a Matt Daley wild pitch relinquished the lead back to the Phillies, 5-4. The Rockies tied it up an inning later when Giambi singled to center field with Fowler on second base and Hawpe on first, 5-5.


The night finally unraveled for the Rockies in the 9th inning with Manny Corpas pitching. Wild pitching led Corpas to plunk Ryan Howard, and a wild pitch advanced him to second base. With first base open, the Rockies walked Raul Ibanez. Ruiz singled in Howard to center field, and the nail in the coffin was a pinch hit home run by Ross Gload to right field (391 feet). Former Rockies reliever, Jose Contreras came in for the 9th inning, and after two straight ground outs, Giambi doubled to deep left center field. But Mora couldn't follow up Giambi's deep double and flied out to right field ending the game.


The night's box score presented by ESPN.com is available here:
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=300510127

WUNDERGROUND - Weather Tracker for Rockies Games!

Check this embedded weather tracker, set up for Rockies games, check it out before the game tonight to know how to prepare!

Keli McGregor, Rockies President passes

At the age of only 48 years old, the Colorado Rockies President, Keli McGregor has passed away. It was a shock to everyone involved in the organization as Keli was relatively young, in good shape, and had no outstanding health issues. Yesterday, in a memorial service where ex-Rockies manager, Clint Hurdle spoke,  there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. The Rockies are wearing a patch on their jerseys honoring McGregor, and donned his jersey in the dugout during the 8-4 win against the Florida Marlins Sunday, April 25, 2010. All over the Colorado Rockies official website are highlights of the ceremony and a tribute to McGregor. Check out the links below:

http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=7660133&c_id=col

http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100425&content_id=9568090&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col

Ubaldo Jimenez throws first no-hitter for the Rockies ever

Ubaldo Jimenez became the first pitcher for the Colorado Rockies to ever throw a no-hitter last night (Saturday, April 17, 2010). Jimenez had amazing stuff throwing his final pitch at 97 mph. Several times throughout the game the no-hitter was in jeopardy. Late in the game a ball that looked like it was going to fall in, in the gap for a double was pulled in by a diving Dexter Fowler, who had a nice play earlier in the game as well. Ubaldo threw a MLB high, 128 pitches in the no-no. This no-hitter by Jimenez is the first in the major leagues since Mark Buehrle did it for the White Sox on July 23, 2009 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Jimenez gave up 6 walks in the game, which prompted pitching coach Bob Apodaca to have Jimenez pitch the remainder of the game from the stretch, allowing him to increase his accuracy and work more efficiently. Jimenez had 7 strikeouts in all and the Rockies scored 4 runs on his behalf. Jimenez also helped his own cause in knocking one of the four runs in, in the 4th inning. Overall, it was a dominant performance. Video highlights can be see at this link: Ubaldo Jimenez No-Hitter Highlights - mlb.com

Rockies shut out and blow out the Padres in their home opener

Starting Pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa set the tone for the team in the home opener in Coors Field. De La Rosa pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk, and striking out 9 (including Scott Hairston 3 times and Adrian Gonzalez twice.. ouch)! It was a great win after losing the rubber match against the Brewers in a game where the Rockies led for the majority of the game. The Rockies' bats were hot.. Clint Barmes homered towards the end of the game, and Brad Hawpe and Troy Tulowitzki both had 2 doubles a piece. It was an exciting home opener and sets up a beautiful weekend in Denver, CO that the Rockies will hopefully take advantage of.. Go Rockies!

Latest Colorado Rockies Stories - 3/25/2010

Beimel, Eager to Pitch, Rejoins Rockies

Joe Beimel, Rockies lefty relief pitcher from 2009 has re-signed with the Colorado Rockies to a Minor League contract.

Last year with the Colorado Rockies Beimel was a clutch reliever in late innings and in tight spots for the Rockies. He pitched in 26 games and posted a 4.02 ERA with the Rockies last year. Beimel has a confident attitude and swagger, which he uses to intimidate hitters during his one inning or one out appearances. In 2009, Beimel was acquired from the Nationals at the non-waiver Trade Deadline mid-season. Beimel is called in to shut down big-hitting lefties in late innings and Rockies Manager Jim Tracy and GM Dan O'Dowd have similar expectations of him again this year.

My take on this acquisition is that this is a wise move by the Rockies to solidify the bullpen and to provide more confidence from management to go to the 'pen late in games and get key outs. I'm excited Beimel is again a Rockie.

Spring Postcard: Rockies Have Look of Annual Contender

Flattering Spring Training Report on the Colorado Rockies from Jon Heyman with SportsIllustrated.com

Heyman highlights the depth that GM Dan O'Dowd has put together with the Rockies at a bargain basement pricetag. The depth includes the electric Ubaldo Jimenez, and other starters (Aaron Cook, Jorge De La Rosa, Jason Hammel, and the recently returned Jeff Francis), key pieces such as Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe, and another handful with great potential: Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Clint Barmes, Ryan Spilborghs, and Seth Smith. All who appear that this year could be break-out seasons. Jim Tracy looks like he is going to enjoy another great run at the World Series!

Printable 2010 Colorado Rockies Schedule!

Here's a printable jpeg of the 2010 Colorado Rockies schedule!

New Colorado Rockies blog!!

The Colorado Rockies begin their 2010 campaign on Monday, April 5, 2010 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have started this blog to track the Colorado Rockies, share my own game experiences, and keep you informed about the happenings of the club. It's exciting! Go Rockies!