Rockies News

"Franklin Morales on Sunday combined with three relievers with Triple-A Colorado Springs to pitch the first no-hitter in Security Service Field history in an effort that underscored why Morales is where he is. Morales, ranked the top prospect in the Rockies organization, worked five innings in his first start for the Sky Sox since being dropped from the Rockies rotation and sent to the minors to get his mechanics in order."

"The Rockies' season has taken a detour. With back-to-back losses to San Diego, they have a day off in Phoenix today before they begin a three-game series against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The Rockies are a loss from the worst record in the major leagues, a far cry from where they had expected to be six weeks into their defense of the 2007 National League pennant. They are finding reason to think things are about to get better, though. They finally have begun to get quality starting pitching that goes beyond the dominating efforts of Aaron Cook, including: * Right-hander Greg Reynolds, who made the quickest rise through the minor leagues in franchise history by starting what became a 6-1 loss to the Padres on Sunday afternoon at Petco Park. "

"Colorado Springs starter Franklin Morales and three relievers combined for the first home no-hitter in Sky Sox history, beating Albuquerque 5-1 on Sunday in a Pacific Coast League game. The Sky Sox walked nine batters, and the lone Isotopes run came in the fourth inning. Andrew Beattie walked, advanced to second on Ian Stewart's throwing error, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly. Morales (1-0) pitched five innings, striking out three and walking six in his first start with the Sky Sox this season. "

"A decision at the end of spring training shaped Sunday's roster. Mark Redman waived his right to refuse a minor-league assignment. So instead of getting cut or designated for assignment, the veteran left-hander was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs to make room for rookie starter Greg Reynolds. "I signed that agreement so they knew I wouldn't just take their money and walk away. But I told them even then that they didn't need it. I wouldn't have done that because they have such a good thing going here," Redman said. "I am just disappointed that I didn't pitch better." "

"Reliever Ryan Speier joked that he had an extra muscle in his back. In fact, it was a bruised knot near his right shoulder from where Tadahito Iguchi's line drive struck him in the seventh. Speier finished the inning, but the Rockies will monitor his condition during the next few days. "It felt fine until I iced it. It's a little stiff," Speier said."

"Just 22, Reynolds is officially a big-leaguer. He has three baseballs, a printed-out lineup card and a loss to prove it. Reynolds showed off his cannonball sinker, but two errant fastballs became souvenirs, spoiling his debut as the Rockies fell 6-1 to the last-place San Diego Padres."

"The May 5 game against St. Louis showed that Albert Pujols is a difference maker. Matt Holliday is a good player, but he just doesn't seem to have the character to make a difference like the elite players. What do you think? -- Mark Shamley, Broomfield "

"Trevor Hoffman pumped his fist and screamed "yeah" twice as Padres infielders Tadahito Iguchi and Khalil Greene turned a game-ending double play Saturday night. Hoffman was extra excited, not only because the Padres had won for just the fifth time in 23 games, 3-2 over the Rockies, but also because he had secured Greg Maddux's 350th career victory. The all-time saves leader gave the ball to Maddux. "I'll take any free ball I can get," Maddux quipped."

"Greg Maddux became the ninth pitcher in big league history to win 350 games, reaching the plateau in his fifth try and leading the San Diego Padres to a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. With Adrian Gonzalez hitting a three-run homer and the Padres ending a five-game losing streak, Mad Dog held the Rockies to an unearned run — set up by his three-base throwing error — and three hits in six innings. He struck out one and walked none."

"For Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes, the pink bat is a reminder of fear and hope. Hundreds of major-leaguers will swing pink bats to celebrate Mother's Day and raise awareness of the fight against breast cancer. The issue is personal for Barmes. He admitted for the first time Saturday that his mom Erma was diagnosed with breast cancer during the 2006 season, Barmes' most difficult as a pro. He quickly dismissed the idea that his poor play was in any way connected, but it's clear his mom's illness affected the thoughtful player, now 29. "During that time I didn't want to talk about it. But it was very scary at one point," Barmes said. "We are lucky that they caught it in an early stage. She's doing really well now." "

"His talent is chilling. The lapses are maddening. One moment Ubaldo Jimenez is da Vinci. The next, he's Etch-A-Sketchy. Saturday's potential masterpiece was spoiled by a fourth-inning ink spill, the Rockies falling 3-2 to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. "I am not happy with the result," Jimenez said. "But I can take a lot from this game." "

"Jim Edmonds Friday became the first victim of the Padres' horrible start. The 37-year-old center fielder was released before the Padres dropped a 4-2 decision to Colorado before 31,057 Friday night at Petco Park -- the Padres' fifth straight defeat and 18th in 22 games. The victim Friday night was Jake Peavy, who doubled and scored in the third to give the Padres a 1-0 lead."

"Right-handed pitcher Greg Reynolds was the second player selected in baseball's 2006 draft. One year and 48 weeks later, he's going to make his major league debut, the quickest any pitcher in Rockies history has risen through the minor leagues. And he has made the trip to the big leagues with only 133 innings of professional work on his resume."

"Potential became promise. And promise has now evolved into consistent performance. It's pretty simple: when Aaron Cook pitches, the Rockies expect to win. It doesn't matter who they face or where they play. Cook is their ace, a burden he couldn't handle last season. It's hard to imagine where the Rockies would be without the right-hander this year - last place in the National League West is a great guess. On a cool Friday night, Cook bested reigning Cy Young winner Jake Peavy in the Rockies" 4-2 victory, their third straight as the they crawl back to respectability. "

"Undone by the type of runaway inning he has labored to contain, Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse must now halt his skid before it undermines his start to the season. The Colorado Rockies pelted Lohse for four two-out runs in the first inning to send the Cardinals to a 9-3 clunker Thursday at Coors Field. Lohse retired the first two batters of the game and got ahead of a few hitters after that. But quicker than he could figure out a tight strike zone or overcome an infield bobble, a second consecutive start was awash in runs."

"Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is looking for reasons - not excuses - for the team's recent slide. He admits there are moments, however, when he has to wonder if the problems the Rockies and Padres have faced the past three weeks have been in some way a residual effect of the Rockies' 2-1, 22-inning victory that began April 17 and ended April 18."

"The Rockies would like to feel they finally are starting to get a little momentum in their plight to be a factor in the National League West race this season. They will get a much better idea of whether that's true tonight. They are coming off back-to- back victories against the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals, 9-3 on Thursday afternoon at Coors Filed on the heels of an eighth-inning rally for a 4-3 victory Wednesday night. It is the Rockies' first back-to-back wins in three weeks."

"Lack of offensive execution has been the Rockies' albatross much of the season, but not Thursday. In the fourth inning, Garrett Atkins and Ryan Spilborghs produced back-to-back, base-loaded sacrifice flies. True, they didn't come through with enormous hits, but they did produce runs in the clutch. After hitting just one sacrifice fly in their first 27 games, the Rockies have five in the past eight games."

"Losing shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to injury was a major blow, but the combination of Clint Barmes at short and Omar Quintanilla at second has deadened the pain. Quintanilla, called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs after Tulowitzki tore a tendon in his left quadriceps eight games ago, had a career-high three hits Thursday, extending his hitting streak to a career-high six games, during which he has hit .400. Barmes, batting .313, hit a two-run double in the first. "

"Rockies owner Dick Monfort was in a rush to catch an elevator Thursday morning at Coors Field but not to dramatically alter his ballclub. Despite the team's poor start, he said the Rockies have no plans to acquire a frontline starting pitcher or even a fifth starter such as Cincinnati's Josh Fogg. Monfort is comfortable giving prized pitching prospect Greg Reynolds a shot starting Sunday in San Diego. "

"Suddenly, the Rockies' revolving rotation doesn't look so wobbly. Thanks to Jorge De La Rosa. Less than two weeks removed from pitching for the Triple-A Omaha Royals, and just five days after his dubious debut in a Rockies uniform, the left-hander from Mexico showed his best stuff Thursday afternoon in Colorado's 9-3 victory over St. Louis. "

"Friday night could be "Sleeping Bag Night" at Petco Park. Saturday, perhaps graveyard-shift workers should get into the ballgame free. Sunday could become ... well, Monday. You know how the Padres and Rockies get. Yes, it's them again. The Colorado Rockies are in town. Let the marathon begin. The last time these two teams played, neither left the ballpark before closing time at the Gaslamp, having played the equivalent of 2 1/2 games with only one low score at the end."

"Unable to provide like he expects to at the plate during this visit to Coors Field, Albert Pujols won a game with his legs Monday and had a chance to grip a victory with a catch Wednesday. But he couldn't get a glove on it. Pujols' miss in foul territory on a fly ball near the Colorado Rockies' dugout prolonged the eighth inning, stoked a Colorado rally and sabotaged the Cardinals' wobbly relief. The Rockies did what they had hinted at in the previous two games of the series, storming back for a 4-3 victory at Coors Field. "

"Greg Reynolds will make his major league debut Sunday at San Diego, according to a source close to the situation, replacing struggling Mark Redman as the Rockies seek to rectify their sagging rotation. Reynolds started for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday and was lifted after throwing 23 pitches in two scoreless innings against Round Rock (Texas), allowing two hits and no walks with two strikeouts. Reynolds, 22, was congratulated by his Sky Sox teammates after what amounted to a tuneup for his major league debut at Petco Park."

"A long shot under any circumstances, the comeback was even more improbable, considering how the Rockies have stumbled lately. They erupted for four runs in the eighth inning Wednesday to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3. It was just the second win for the Rockies in their past seven games and their fourth in the past 17."

"Manager Clint Hurdle challenged center fielder Willy Taveras to use his speed to become more aggressive, in the outfield as well as on the bases path. Taveras responded in spectacular fashion Wednesday night. He ran down Albert Pujols' bases-loaded drive in the fourth, banging off the wall in right-center after making the catch. In the fifth, Taveras made an over-the-shoulder catch on Jason LaRue's drive to deep center, turning it into a double play as the Rockies doubled Rick Ankiel off first base."

"A last-place team will soon get help from a first-round pick. Greg Reynolds is expected to make his major-league debut Sunday in San Diego after struggling Mark Redman was banished to the bullpen Wednesday. Reynolds was pulled after allowing no runs and two hits on 20 pitches in a Triple-A start Wednesday. Officially, the Rockies said they were acting cautiously with the prized prospect's tender right ankle. Unofficially, they have been unable to complete a trade for Cincinnati's Josh Fogg or Boston's Julian Tavarez, leaving Reynolds as the most viable alternative for a disappointing rotation. "

"Until Wednesday's eighth inning, the only reminders of last fall were above the Rockies' dugout and scoreboard: National League Champions. The title has mocked them for the better part of a month, an early-season slide a few snowflakes away from a demoralizing avalanche. "We need something to give us some life," slugger Matt Holliday said before the game. The defibrillator finally arrived courtesy of the new starting catcher and a reserve outfielder who looks like a "Deadwood" extra. Chris Iannetta's two-run triple and Ryan Spilborghs' run-scoring single shoved the Rockies to a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, providing a lighthouse for a team that has lost its way. "

"Julian Tavarez remained with the Red Sox yesterday, which is fine with him. “Whatever I get, I’ll take it,” said the reliever, who pitched in his first game since April 24 last night against the Tigers. No advancements in trade talks regarding Tavarez were made yesterday between the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. The Rockies remain interested in acquiring the 34-year-old to help their struggling rotation. “If you let me pick, I’ll say I want to start,” Tavarez said before allowing three runs on four hits in one inning of relief during the Sox’ 10-9 loss. “But to me, I’m the kind of guy who will do anything for my team."

" The Colorado Rockies, searching for some help for their starting rotation, were reportedly told by the A's that Joe Blanton isn't going anywhere right now. Colorado has inquired about a number of starting pitchers recently, including Oakland right-handers Blanton and Rich Harden, Texas' Kevin Millwood, Cincinnati's Josh Fogg and Boston's Julian Tavarez. The Denver Post reported that the Rockies were told by Oakland that Blanton, their preferred A's pitcher, is currently not available."

"The Colorado Rockies are pursuing depth for their pitching rotation, and officials there have their eye on Josh Fogg, The Denver Post reported Monday. The Rockies are seeking a player to stabilize their rotation until next month, when Franklin Morales, Greg Reynolds and the hurt Jason Hirsh are prepared to contribute. The Post said Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd is looking for one pitcher "for six or seven starts." Fogg, who has about $1.2 million left on his deal, won 10 games last season for the Rockies and is well-liked there, The Post said. Reds fans aren't so enamored. Fogg is 1-2 with a 9.27 ERA in seven games."

"The Rockies have a week to decide about the future of left- hander Mark Redman on their major league staff. He hasn't done much to make a case for himself. While a ninth-inning flurry allowed the Rockies to at least make things seem close in their 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on Tuesday night, the tone was set in the early innings."

"The standings don't lie. As they awake this morning, the Rockies are the worst team in the major leagues. And the reason is obvious. All you have to do is listen to the crowd at Coors Field. What put the rock in Rocktober, when the home team ran wild, all the way to the World Series? The pounding crack of Colorado bats. Now, when the Rockies swing, they miss, or ground out weakly to shortstop to kill a rally, or leave a baserunner stranded as a scoring opportunity dies. "

"Near the tail end of his career as a pitcher, Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel had trouble throwing strikes. He had no such problem throwing from the outfield Tuesday night. In the first inning, Ankiel caught Todd Helton's drive to center, then nailed Willy Taveras on a perfect throw to third to complete the inning-ending double play. In the eighth, he gunned down Omar Quintanilla, who appeared to have an easy triple. "I was shocked he threw me out," Quintanilla said."

"For manager Clint Hurdle, starting catcher Chris Iannetta in front of Yorvit Torrealba on Tuesday night for the third straight game was a no-brainer. "I don't think I've ever sat a guy after a three-hit game," Hurdle said, referring to Iannetta's 3-for-4 performance Monday that boosted his average to .349... "I'm definitely feeling more comfortable, because I'm working the game at my own pace," Iannetta said. "Looking back at last year, I think I did things at everybody else's pace.""

"Albert Pujols smote a two-out double to right-center in the first inning of Tuesday night's game and scored, rather routinely, on a single to left. The run he scored in the ninth inning to win Monday night's game wasn't quite so routine. The Cardinals' Mr. April-May-June-July-August-September-and-October scored from second base on a 4-3 slow-roller. Pujols, the most feared, respected hitter in the game, had made the difference on Monday with his cunning, cleverness and daring, but not with his swiftness afoot. "

"The symbol for the high-flying St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night was center fielder Rick Ankiel throwing out Willy Taveras in the first inning, and then Omar Quintanilla in the eighth, with otherworldly throws to third base. The symbol for the hapless Rockies was starter Mark Redman, trudging off the mound to a smattering of boos from the patrons at Coors Field. After the Rockies' 6-5 loss, manager Clint Hurdle neatly summed up why the Rockies are tied with the San Diego Padres for the worst record in baseball at 12-21..."

"Albert Pujols' daredevil dash from second base on a groundout was the final and most dramatic turn in a see-saw duel that the Cardinals had to win several times over against Colorado on Monday. A game that saw a rookie's debut, a birthday to forget and four lead changes ended when the Cardinals didn't yield to the opportunities they had to lose the game. Pujols seized his one opportunity to win it. The Cardinals prevailed 6-5 at Coors Field when Pujols ran farther than Rick Ankiel's groundout in the ninth inning traveled."

"A game that saw a rookie's debut, a birthday to forget and four lead changes ended when the Cardinals didn't yield to the opportunities they had to lose the game. Pujols seized his one opportunity to win it. The Cardinals prevailed 6-5 at Coors Field when Pujols ran farther than Rick Ankiel's groundout in the ninth inning traveled. "You need to take that chance," Pujols said. "You need to be aggressive playing the game, and that's what I did. ... We battled and we played hard. We didn't give up on the game." "

"First things first. Here's the winner in our search for a Rockies starting pitching slogan to match Spahn and Sain and pray for rain: Cook and Francis, then take your chances. Thanks to the independent authors, Grandma Shirley Stokes and Terry Graves, as well as others who responded. I think I still prefer Cook and then some schnook, but I've been outvoted. So the Rocks took their chances with young Ubaldo Jimenez on Monday against the Cards. For the fifth time in six starts, he failed to make it through six innings. He gave up seven hits and three walks in five innings, keeping to his average of roughly two baserunners per inning. Still, he wasn't awful."

"Five innings into the Rockies' 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on Monday night, the emotional roller coaster that has been Colorado's season was encaptured. There was right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez faced with the challenge of Adam Kennedy having been given a one-out triple in the first on an overzealous fielding effort by right fielder Brad Hawpe. And Albert Pujols, arguably the most intimidating offensive force in the post-Bonds era, at the plate."

"And now for one of the most common questions I get from frustrated fans in the Rocky Mountain region: Why don't you call for more coaches to be fired? The answer is simple. Because the owners who employ those coaches wouldn't listen to me if I did. Or maybe you haven't noticed the local landscape, the only dot on the pro sports map where coaches aren't hired to be fired. Denver has become the exception to the rule in pro sports. For whatever reason, local coaches are immune from the pressure felt by their contemporaries in other markets. They say they're under pressure to win, but are they?"

"While they wait for internal options to heal their wounds and fix their mechanics, the Rockies are actively pursuing depth for their rotation, discussing trades with the Reds for Josh Fogg and the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez. The Rockies also have kicked the tires on Oakland's Rich Harden and Joe Blanton and Texas' Kevin Millwood. Harden is hurt, limiting interest; Blanton is currently not available. And while the Rangers will listen on Millwood, they want the right players in return, not salary relief. The Rockies' motivation is shaped by their need."

"After one relief appearance, Mark Redman will return to the Rockies' rotation tonight, his spot hanging in the balance. The Rockies haven't soured on Redman, but need to see more if he's going to avoid going to the bullpen. The Dodgers shelled Redman for 10 runs in the first inning of his last start. He made a successful cameo as a reliever, a role he briefly excelled in a year ago for the Rockies. Redman is focusing on his execution. "I need to be aggressive and attack the strike zone," Redman said. "

"The standings don't lie. As they awake this morning, the Rockies are the worst team in the major leagues. And the reason is obvious. All you have to do is listen to the crowd at Coors Field. What put the rock in Rocktober, when the home team ran wild, all the way to the World Series? The pounding crack of Colorado bats. Now, when the Rockies swing, they miss, or ground out weakly to shortstop to kill a rally, or leave a baserunner stranded as a scoring opportunity dies. And the crowd groans. This team has lost its identity, with each blown opportunity in the clutch, as a Colorado hitter takes another slow walk to the dugout. "

"Star Wars trumped The Umpire Strikes Back. Albert Pujols has broken hearts and shattered hopes. But until Monday night, his method of spoiling dreams was rather predictable. With one swing of the bat, he can make opposing fans gasp in silence. The St. Louis Cardinals' superstar sent the Rockies reeling with his running Monday, a speedy burst from second base on an infield groundout in the ninth inning securing a dramatic 6-5 victory at Coors Field. "

"Let's not assert that the Padres should just pack it in now. Nor that the Dodgers and Rockies and Giants should, either. We can't say with full conviction that if you're not the Arizona Diamondbacks, your chances of winning the NL West are zero. Even though, well, they probably are. All that stuff about the first month being meaningless in the long run? Just stuff, as it turns out. Statistically speaking – and does baseball speak any other language? – Arizona would be defying the odds and history by not finishing the regular season as repeat champions. "

"What a difference a little starting pitching makes. Perhaps you remember Spahn and Sain and pray for rain. This became a motto of sorts for fans of the 1948 Boston Braves, who had Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain at the top of the rotation and then . . . not much. The Rockies, as you may have noticed, have an even shorter list of reliable starters. Since climbing to 8-8 on April 16, they are 4-11. Aaron Cook (5-1, 2.40 ERA) has all four wins, including another stellar outing Sunday. Unfortunately, winning once every five days is unlikely to put them in position to defend their first National League pennant. Hence the need for a new slogan. Here are a few ideas. Feel free to add your own:"

"Every fifth game, the problems that have plagued the Rockies seem to vanish and their chances of winning rise almost exponentially. Those are the games Aaron Cook starts. He won his career-best fifth consecutive start Sunday, helped the Rockies stop a losing streak for the fifth time this season and overmatched the Los Angeles Dodgers for 72/3 innings as the Rockies won 7-2 at Coors Field. "

"The broken collarbone resulted from a bizarre, even embarrassing, accident that knocked Clint Barmes' career far off-course. What resulted were unexpected, long-term benefits, ones that outweighed anything associated with baseball. "I wouldn't be married now and with a baby without the injury," Barmes said. "So in a way, it was a blessing that it happened the way it did." Barmes and his wife, Summer, got engaged on Christmas 2005. They married the following December, and their son, Wyatt, is nearly 8 months old. "