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Rockies come knocking after D-backs rang their bell

By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published April 10, 2008 at 10:17 a.m.
Updated April 10, 2008 at 11:53 p.m.

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The series ended with the Rockies losing in 10 innings, and that, really, was the highlight of their three-game series with Arizona last weekend.

An opportunity to make amends arrives tonight, when the clubs begin a three-game series at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks are riding a six-game winning streak, a burst against the Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers that began with a sweep at Coors Field, where Arizona outscored the Rockies 20-5.

"They annihilated us," general manager Dan O'Dowd said Thursday. "They outplayed us in every facet of the game -- defense, baserunning, offensive situational hitting, starting pitching. They beat us every way; we didn't outperform them in any way."

Jeff Francis will start for the Rockies tonight, matched against Brandon Webb. They squared off Saturday, with Webb allowing two runs, one earned, in seven innings to improve to 2-0 and Francis surrendering 12 hits and five runs in 61/3 innings. That was an improvement from March 31, when rain in the third inning at St. Louis washed away an outing in which Francis threw 17 of his first 19 pitches for balls and allowed five runs.

The Rockies are coming off a three-game sweep of Atlanta -- the series finale Thursday was postponed until June 16 because of snow -- and, in particular, a 12-6 romp Wednesday when the offense finally flexed its muscles.

"We had such a good offensive approach in spring," O'Dowd said. "It was frustrating we didn't maintain that same mind-set coming into the season. But that's baseball."

O'Dowd said he has been encouraged how the relievers have come in and thrown strikes and how closer Manuel Corpas rebounded from a blown save Sunday with two scoreless outings in which he made mechanical adjustments to regain the sinking action on his pitches.

The Rockies' hope is this weekend, Corpas is trotting to the mound in the bottom of the ninth, not simply to get work but to register saves against the 7-2 Diamondbacks.

"There's no question they're showing us why they won 90 games last year," O'Dowd said. "They're a very, very good baseball team. . . . They're very sound in every aspect. We're going to have to play very well to be competitive with them."

Comments

  • April 10, 2008

    11:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    This is why I will never be a baseball fan. They are pu--ies. Football players play in all weather.

  • April 10, 2008

    12:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheDenverB writes:

    I understand that baseball is much more intelligent and cerebral sport to watch and appreciate... and if you can't see how a white baseball might be darn near impossible to hit in a driving white snowstorm then you might not be able to appreciate the sport in the first place.

  • April 10, 2008

    4:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mtnsrfer writes:

    How about a 90 mile per hour line drive, with a snow covered backgroud? Bunch of pu--ies don't want to die!

    Go Rockies!!!

  • April 10, 2008

    4:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    farsidefan writes:

    They are called the " Boys of Summer " aren't they ?

  • April 11, 2008

    6:45 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mike_In_Hartsel writes:

    If dilligaf isn't a fan they why is he reading this article?

  • April 11, 2008

    10:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheVentilator writes:

    Dilligaf be likin foobaw!

  • April 11, 2008

    10:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    Didn't anyone want to comment about the upcoming game/series? Brandon Webb vs. a Rockies offense that is finally surging? Last year's "Manager of the Year" vs. the manager who will get the call for the next all-star game? Anyone? Oh, right, we're too busy name-calling.