Rockies report: Rays' interest in Fuentes increases
By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News
Published July 1, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.
"Our emotions don't fly like the flags out there (blowing in the wind)."
Hurdle, on his calm demeanor during the team's struggles.
RAYS' INTEREST RATE
Tampa Bay's interest in left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes picked up in light of Rays closer Troy Percival returning to the disabled list after aggravating the left hamstring that originally forced him to the disabled list.
The Rays are looking for a left-hander to work late innings and to provide late-inning protection for Percival in their bid to claim a postseason bid for the first time. Al Reyes, Tampa Bay's other experienced closer, has been out since June 9 with left elbow tendinitis.
LEFT ON
Left-handed pitcher Cedrick Bowers, whose career was sidelined for more than a year by injuries and has taken him to Japan and South Korea, finally gets a major league oppor- tunity. The 30-year- old Bowers, a fourth- round draft choice of Tampa Bay in 1996, was called up by the Rockies on Tuesday. Right-hander Ryan Speier was sent to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room for Bowers.
Bowers started the season in extended spring, then joined the Sky Sox, where he was 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 16 appearances, including two starts. In his past seven appearances, he allowed one run and struck out 13 in 11 1/3 innings.
Manager Clint Hurdle has had to mix and match with his right-handed relievers against left-handed hitters since Jorge De La Rosa returned to the rotation in Chicago on June 20.
ETC.
The one-hour, 58-minute game time was the fastest for a nine-inning game in Coors Field history, breaking the record of 2:05 set in a game Aaron Cook started against Atlanta on April 7. . . . Matt Holliday stole his 10th base of the season in the first inning, giving him at least 10 steals for the fourth straight season. Brad Hawpe, meanwhile, had his first stolen base since Sept. 26, 2006. . . . Cook went 1-for-3 with a single and a sacrifice bunt. He is hitting .265. Mike Hampton had the highest average for a Rockies pitcher with a minimum of 25 at-bats when he hit .344 in 2002. Cook has eight hits in his past 24 at-bats. . . . Center fielder Willy Taveras, who singled home the first run of the game, then stole second and third in the four-run fifth, developed soreness in his left quadriceps during the inning and came out of the game in favor of Scott Podsednik. He is day to day. . . . Clint Barmes sat for the second day in a row. Jeff Baker got the start at second after Omar Quintanilla started Monday.
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July 1, 2008
10:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
fjv1026 writes:
Don't let the door hit you on the way out Fuentes.
July 2, 2008
7:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
RockiesWin writes:
Adios Amigo....don't get lost, like your control, getting to Tampa.
July 2, 2008
7:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
Hambone writes:
And please take Hurdle and Apodaca with you!!!!!
July 2, 2008
10:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
dgocoman writes:
Moving to Tampa would be great for Fuentes. Give him something to pitch for the last couple of months. I would rather see a closer have 10 clean saves than the 20 near-miss, train wrecks we get from him. I appreciate Hurdle's loyalty, but the guy is freaked out just like last year when he lost 4 in a row. Where is Bruce Ruffin when we need him?
July 2, 2008
1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
arvada_mark writes:
If you honestly think B-Fuent is the problem, then you need to see a professional. He has only been the best closer in franchise history. The man is a bulldog. Did he get all screwy in the head when he lost his job to an injury last year? NO! Again,that's a NO! Did Manny get screwy when he lost his job? Yes. Did Chacon get screwy, yes. Fuentes doesn't let little things get to him. Now I know it seems like he prefers to work with traffic, but lest ye of bandwagon-dom forget, he has been our only regular All-Star the past few years. He belongs there again this year. Next to say Billy Wagner, I beg you to name a better south paw, out of the bullpen in the NL. You can't because there is nobody better. And while you're beating your head against the wall trying to figure that one, tell me, please, who will be our closer if B-Fuent goes? Manny has lost it. Spier, well, he was just sent down. Bucky can close, but he's doing so well where he's at. That's like taking Tulo & putting him at 2nd. Yeah, I'm sure he can play just fine there, but why when he does so well where he's at.
July 2, 2008
2:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bmac writes:
Why are they thinking of trading a good pitcher? What are we going to get for him - another fielder? We need pitchers period. If we can pick up Josh Becket for someone - ok, but I sincerely doubt it. This sounds like another stupid move on the Rockies part.
July 2, 2008
2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
pietrojoe writes:
Solid points Mark, but the Rox still need to make this deal. The Rays farm system is stacked and they are in a desperate time, with the loss of Troy Percival.
They should be willing to deal two-four prospects for Fuentes' services, which is what the Rockies desperately need, especially when Holliday and agent Scott Boras book it for the big bucks.
July 2, 2008
3:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
RDenver writes:
Bye...Bye Brian! Remember to keep that fast ball up in zone in St Petersburgh!
July 2, 2008
4:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Vulions writes:
DO NOT TRADE BRIAN FUENTES!!! Only trade him if you can get a really good deal for him...and I mean really good...Make sure that you at least get a bag of potato chips for him, or maybe a 12 pack of Pepsi...If you can't get that for him, then its not worth it.
See ya Brian...you will be forever remembered as the most nerve racking Rockies pitcher ever...and that is saying A LOT! (Remember Jerry Dipoto?)
July 3, 2008
5:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
sbird12852 writes:
Brian F. compared to Billy Wagner, I dont think so. Brian is not a lights out closer its okay to let him go. The Rocks also need to move Atkins. Kill Scott Boros so we can sign Matty.