MEDIA CLIPS – September 13, 2015
Rox go quietly vs. M’s after Flande struggles
By Andrew Erickson / MLB.com | September 13, 2015
SEATTLE -- Robinson Cano, Jesus Montero and Franklin Gutierrez each launched solo home runs and Nelson
Cruz tied the Orioles' Chris Davis for Major League lead with his41st blast as the Mariners muscled their way to a 7-2
win over the Rockies Saturday night at Safeco Field.
Mariners starter Roenis Elias was dominant early, striking out seven of the first nine hitters in three perfect innings to
open the ballgame. The lefty lost his command in the sixth, though, allowing two four-pitch walks and two runs, but held
Colorado to just one hit in 5 1/3 innings and earned his first win since June 19.
Colorado's Yohan Flande lasted just 3 2/3 innings while striking out three and walking two for his shortest of nine starts
this season. The 29-year-old left-hander got Mark Trumbo to fly out to right to start the fourth but allowed four straight
Seattle hitters to reach base before exiting with two outs and just 74 pitches thrown.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Cano circles the bases: Cano has been slowed by an abdominal strain over the last couple weeks, but he didn't show it
in the second inning. The second baseman cranked a 1-0 sinker to right and off the video board for his 16th home run of
the season. The round-tripper -- one of four Seattle blasts on Saturday -- put the Mariners up 1-0 and also put Cano in
elite company, making him just the fifth player in Major League history to log 50 extra-base hits in 11 straight seasons to
start a career. He joins Carlos Lee (13 seasons), Albert Pujols (12), Eddie Matthews (12) and Paul Waner (11) in the
elite category.
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"It means a lot. First I want to thank God for that. That's something that I take pride in and make me proud of myself,"
Cano said of the extra-base hits milestone. "Those are the kind of things that I go home and it makes me work even
harder every single year."
Gonzalez diving catch: With two runs already in and two runners aboard in the fourth, Rockies right-fielder Carlos
Gonzalez prevented further damage with an inning-ending diving catch of Cruz's liner into the corner.
Squeezing home a run: It took catcher John Hicks seven Major League games to get his first career RBI and it came in
unconventional fashion. With a 1-0 count, one out and Shawn O'Malley charging home from third, Hicks executed his end
of the suicide squeeze to perfection, bunting the ball toward Flande to give O'Malley plenty of time to score. The squeeze
play gave the Mariners a 4-0 lead.
"I guess I'm a little old school in that fashion," said Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon. "If I score four they gotta get five
to beat me. We thought it was the perfect time to do it."
Failure to connect: The Rockies put only two balls in play through the first three innings.
"We had a hard time making contact early," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "I think we punched out seven times first
time through the order. Their lefty was electric early on. He lost some command later. We had some small opportunities,
but they jumped out to a big lead so it was tough playing from behind."
QUOTABLE
"For me, I'm always going to say the same thing. We're going to keep playing, we're going to face Houston, we're going to
face Texas and Anaheim. We're going to face all of them. And we know what can happen. We've just gotta keep on
continuing winning games." -- Cano, on Seattle's postseason outlook
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Left out: With their inability to solve Elias, the Rockies fell to 6-26 against left-handed starters. They're scheduled to face
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lefties in each of their next four games -- Seattle's James Paxton on Sunday, followed by Clayton Kershaw, Brett
Anderson and Alex Wood of the Dodgers.
WHAT'S NEXT
Rockies: Kyle Kendrick (5-12, 6.25 ERA) will make his third start since coming off the disabled list in Sunday's series
finale at Safeco Field. In his last start, Kendrick allowed three runs in five innings for his first victory since July 26. He has
never faced the Mariners. First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. MT.
Mariners: James Paxton (3-3, 3.70 ERA) makes his first start since May 28 against the Rockies at 1:10 p.m. PT. The lefthander, who missed more than three months rehabbing a strained tendon in his left middle finger, has never faced the
Rockies but is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA in two Interleague starts this season.
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Murphy relishes first taste of big leagues
By Jim Hoehm / Special to MLB.com | September 13, 2015
SEATTLE -- After being behind the plate for three quick outs, it finally dawned on Tom Murphy that he had completed the
climb that began this season at the Double-A level.
Murphy, who was called up Friday when catcher Nick Hundley was placed on the 60-day disabled list, made his Major
League debut in Saturday's 7-2 loss to the Mariners.
"It's something I'll never forget, that's for sure," said Murphy, who had been scheduled to play in the Arizona Fall League.
"I was just telling those guys in there, it doesn't really hit you until that one big moment in the game. That was in the first
inning when we went one, two, three. Came back to the dugout and it was like, 'Dang, that really happened.' And, it was
against good guys, good team."
Murphy struck out twice, but reached on an error in the sixth and scored the Rockies' first run. He wasn't alone, however,
in his inability to put the ball in play against Seattle starter Roenis Elias, who struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings, allowing
only two unearned runs on one hit. The Mariners bullpen added six more strikeouts.
"He threw strikes really early and then was able to put us away," said Murphy, who split the season between Double-A
New Britain and Triple-A Albuquerque. "He had good off-speed pitches late in counts that were out of the strike zone, but
early on he was just dotting fastballs wherever he wanted it and that's a recipe for success."
Mariners manager Walt Weiss was pleased with Murphy's performance behind the plate.
"Murph did a good job," Weiss said. "I thought he was able to slow the game down. I thought he worked well with our
pitchers. He didn't look like he was making his big league debut back there. I thought he handled himself real well."
Murphy missed most of the 2014 season with a shoulder injury, but bounced back to be ranked by MLBPipeline.com as
the Rockies' 12th-best prospect. As such, it was obvious that Murphy appreciated his first big league opportunity.
"A couple times in the game, there's some things you just kind of look back on and say, 'Wow, what would that look like
tomorrow on TV?' Just silly things like that," Murphy said. "But, you try to maintain your focus on the game as best you
can."
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With both Hundley and regular backup Michael McKenry on the 60-day disabled list, the other catcher on the roster is
rookie Dustin Garneau, who was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque in mid-August.
Prior to Saturday's game, Hundley said he would help the young catchers any way he could.
"If there's mentoring needed, for sure," said Hundley, who has a cervical strain. "They've played this game and they
know what they're doing, but at the same time, if they need any help I'm here for them.
"That's why I appreciate them keeping me on the road," Hundley added. "I like being around the guys and if I can help in
any positive way, I'm going to do it."
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Rox, Mariner wrap Interleague play in finale
By Jim Hoehm / Special to MLB.com | September 12, 2015
The Rockies and Mariners each finish up Interleague play for 2015 with the series finale on Sunday. Left-hander James
Paxton tries to salvage the final month of an injury-plagued season, making his first start for Seattle since May 28. He was
sidelined by a strained tendon on the middle finger of his pitching hand.
Rockies right-hander Kyle Kendrick will make his third start since coming off the disabled list after recovering from
inflammation in his right shoulder. Kendrick is 4-9 with a 5.29 ERA in 22 Interleague appearances, including 20 starts. He
has not won an Interleague start since May 29, 2013.
Things to know about this game:
• The Rockies are hoping to have shortstop Jose Reyes back in the lineup. Reyes has missed the last three games with a
sore left Achilles. Manager Walt Weiss said Reyes felt better Saturday, but he wanted to give Reyes at least one more
day.
• Kendrick's 6.25 ERA is more than a run and a half higher than his career ERA. He entered the season with a 4.42 ERA
and his previous season high was 5.49 in 2008, when he went 11-9 with Philadelphia.
• Colorado closer John Axford entered Saturday's game with 22 saves in 27 opportunities, his most since he notched 35
saves in 2012 with Milwaukee, which capped a three-season run of 105 total saves.
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Not much “left” for the Rockies in loss to Mariners in Seattle
By Nick Groke / The Denver Post | September 12, 2015
SEATTLE — The root of the word "sinister" is the Latin sinistra, meaning "left-handed." It only evolved over time to mean
evil, threatening or unlucky.
All of this applies to the Rockies. Seattle Mariners lefty Roenis Elias on Saturday kicked off a string of five consecutive
sinister starters facing Colorado through Wednesday. They still have to face lefties James Paxton, Clayton Kershaw, Brett
Anderson and Alex Wood.
Elias started the string with an omen. The lefty struck out seven Rockies in the first three innings Saturday, including the
side in the third, and the Mariners left behind the Rockies in an easy 7-2 victory at Safeco Field.
The Rockies are just 6-26 against southpaws.
"The level of our struggles against left-handers is a little perplexing," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.
Colorado is hitting just .249 against lefties, compared to .272 against right-handers. The Rockies (59-83) have won three
games in a row just once since the all-star break in July. The Mariners (69-74) snapped Colorado's two-game mini-streak.
"It's been a challenge for us. We haven't hit them," Weiss said of lefties. "All kinds. Power guys, crafty guys. It's all been a
struggle. We need to solve it."
The Rockies sent the minimum to bat through four innings against Elias (5-8). Only Cristhian Adames got a hit, a single in
the fourth, before DJ LeMahieu hit into a double play. And Wilin Rosario walked in the fifth inning.
In the third, Kyle Parker, Tom Murphy and Brandon Barnes struck out on 14 total pitches from Elias.
The Rockies struck out 14 times Saturday, eight against Elias. He K'd seven of the first nine Rockies he faced.
"He threw strikes early and then was able to put us away," said Murphy, the Rockies rookie catcher who made his majorleague debut. He went hitless but scored in the fifth. "That's a recipe for success."
The Mariners, in turn, found little trouble from Rockies lefty Yohan Flande. Robinson Cano hit a home run that seemed to
orbit the sun before it bounced off the second-deck facade in right field to lead off the second inning.
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Nelson Cruz lined home Kyle Seager, who doubled, in the third. And Jesus Montero homered to straight center field just
over Barnes' jump at the wall in the fourth.
Flande (3-3) left after 3 innings -- the shortest outing of his career -- having allowed six hits, with a 4-0 deficit. His relief,
former starter David Hale, allowed a home run to Franklin Gutierrez in the fifth.
But the Rockies rallied some in the sixth when LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado small-balled two runs in on a fielder's choice
and a sacrifice fly.
"Real good slider. He was getting to the back foot of our right handed hitters," Weiss said. "It's a good arm."
The Rockies have the unlucky disadvantage of playing in a division with two all-world left-handers in the Los Angeles
Dodgers' Kershaw and the San Francisco Giants' Madison Bumgarner. Of the Rockies' 25 losses against lefties this
season, five have come against those two.
An interleague series against the Mariners might have provided something fresh. But the Rockies are now 4-15 against
American League teams (with right-handers or left) — the worst interleague mark in baseball.
Colorado kept close with stellar defense from right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (a full-extension, backhanded, diving catch
sliding from grass to dirt to put out Cruz in the fourth) and third baseman Arenado (a quick-hop back-hand pick-up at his
toes to put out Mark Trumbo in the fifth).
But Cruz blasted a two-run home run in the seventh off Hale — Cruz's major league-leading 41st homer of the year — to
put the Mariners ahead by five runs.
"We had a hard time making contact early. We punched out seven times the first turn through the order," Weiss said.
"Their lefty was electric."
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Justin Miller earning A’s with K’s, John Axford back on track for Rockies
By Nick Groke / The Denver Post | September 13, 2015
SEATTLE — In a bullpen that otherwise continues to struggle — Rockies relievers have the worst ERA in baseball this
year — two pitchers have been shining recently.
Justin Miller, a right-hander, struck out Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz on Friday, giving Miller eight consecutive strikeouts.
That's a Rockies record.
Miller had already surpassed Manny Corpas (2013), Rex Brothers (2012) and Luis Vizcaino (2008), who shared the
record with six.
"I'm not trying to strike everybody out," Miller said Saturday. "I'm just trying to get ahead (in the count)."
Miller started this season in Double-A, then bounced quickly to Triple-A and to the majors. Twice he was bumped back
down to Triple-A — but that was more about a roster numbers game, manager Walt Weiss said.
"I don't feel any different now," Miller said. "I'm real methodical and routine-oriented on the mound. Just one strike at a
time."
Miller's strikeout streak is the longest in baseball since David Robertson fanned eight hitters in a row for the Yankees in
2012.
"Everything leads up to throwing the ball," Miller said. "Once you throw the ball, there's nothing else you can do. It's like a
typewriter. Ding."
John Axford is streaking too. Colorado's closer hasn't allowed a run in nine consecutive appearances since Aug. 19.
Dickerson starting to hit his stride. In four games before Saturday since he returned from broken ribs, Corey Dickerson
was only 3-for-12. But his double Friday against the Mariners and a home run at San Diego on Thursday indicate his
swing is in place.
"When I get hurt, my motivation is always to come back better," Dickerson said.
The Rockies wasted little time rehabbing Dickerson in three returns this season, from the rib injury and two stints on the
disabled list because of an inflamed foot.
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"Since I was a little kid, I was always able to hit. When I get in there, it's like a switch. I can always do what I've done,"
Dickerson said. "When you come back, you trust that when you start it up again, it'll work."
Footnotes. Shortstop Jose Reyes sat out a second consecutive game because of a sore Achilles tendon. ... Catcher Tom
Murphy made his big-league debut after the Rockies called him up Friday to replace injured Nick Hundley. "He certainly
looks the part," Weiss said of Murphy.
Looking ahead
Rockies' Kyle Kendrick (5-12, 6.25 ERA) at Mariners' James Paxton (3-3, 3.70), 2:10 p.m. Sunday, ROOT; 850 AM
In two games this month since returning from a shoulder injury, Kendrick has thrown nine up-and-down innings. Against
the Diamondbacks on Sept. 1 at Coors Field, he threw four effective innings and allowed just one run on three hits. But
the Rockies lost. Against the Padres in San Diego last week, Kendrick got through five innings with four strikeouts, but he
gave up seven hits and three runs. The Rockies, though, beat the Padres 12-5 and Kendrick got a win on his record.Nick
Groke, The Denver Post
Monday: Rockies' Jon Gray (0-0, 5.17 ERA) at Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (13-6, 2.15), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Tuesday: Rockies' Chris Rusin (5-8, 5.14) at Dodgers' Brett Anderson (9-8, 3.36), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies' Jorge De La Rosa (9-6, 4.28) at Dodgers' Alex Wood (10-9, 3.67), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Off
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Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez leading the National League in home runs
Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez are awesome, even though the Rockies aren’t. Also, a fun quiz at the end to
reminisce on the good ol’ days.
By Nick Stephens / Purple Row | September 13, 2015
It’s another depressing year for the Rockies, but at least we have Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez to watch. Arenado
and Gonzalez currently hold the top two spots in the National League in home runs. Arenado, who has 38 home runs, has
hit 20 of them on the road, disproving any argument that his power only comes at home. CarGo has hit 15 home runs
since the beginning of August to bring his total to 37. There’s really nothing more fun than watching those two go up to the
plate swinging for the fences. DJ LeMahieu also is a small threat to win the NL batting title.
Recalling baseball’s best Septembers – Sports on Earth
I clicked on this assuming Troy Tulowitzki would be on here, but he wasn’t. To make this list, the player’s team had to
have made the playoffs that year, and we all know what happened in 2010. Regardless, it made me want to write a quick
blurb on Tulo’s ridiculous September in 2010. In that month alone, Tulo slashed .303/.366/.754 and hit 15 home runs
while driving in 40 runs. If Tulo had hit 40 RBI every month that season, he would have had 240 RBI on the year. It’s crazy
to think about.
BlogPile
An Ode To Colorado Rockies Catcher Nick Hundley – RoxPile
Nick Hundley has been a great player for the Rockies this season, and it’s unfortunate it ended the way it did. Hundley’s
defense isn’t special, but his leadership and offensive production has been huge. Bobby DeMuro provides his thoughts.
Quiz
Can you name all of the players on the 2007 Rockies team?
Inspired by Grant Brisbee's quiz over at McCovey Chronicles, I have created a quiz for every player that played on the
2007 National League championship team. You have seven minutes to answer, and there is a total of 56 players. Post
your results below in the comment section.
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Defending SAL champs Asheville Tourists advance to championship series
The Tourists took the deciding game against the San Gnats to advance to the SAL championship series.
By Eric Garcia McKinley / Purple Row | September 13, 2015
The Asheville Tourists defeated the Savannah Gnats 2-to-1 to advance to the South Atlantic League
championship series.
Tyler Chatwood started the game for the Tourists, but he only pitched 2/3 of an inning. Chatwood allowed a bunt single, a
single, and a walk in the first to load the bases with two outs. Jerad McCrummen entered the game and recorded a
strikeout to end the inning.
After that, the bats were silent on both sides for a while. Sam Howard entered the game in the second inning, and he
pitched six innings of shutout ball. The only threat came in the fifth inning, when he allowed a double to start the inning. In
his six innings, Howard struck out six and didn't walk a batter.
The game was scoreless heading into the eighth inning. Josh Fuentes led off with a single. Yonathan Diaz bunted him to
second to put him in scoring position, but it ended up not mattering where he was on the bases, as Luis Jean proceeded
to hit a home run and put the Tourists up 2-to-0.
The Sand Gnats recorded three consecutive singles in the bottom of the ninth to score a run and half the Tourists' lead,
but that's all they could muster.
It was a quiet day for PuRPS. Forrest Wall went hitless, though he did earn a walk. During the season, Wall had a 9.8
walk rate. Dom Nunez also picked up a single.
The Tourists, the defending champions, will face the Hickory Crawdads, the Texas Rangers' Low-A affiliate, for the SAL
championship. Games one and two will be played in Hickory on Monday and Tuesday before the series moves to
Asheville on Wednesday.
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The Mariners hit four home runs as they down the Rockies 7-to-2
The Rockies lost the second of their three game interleague set against the Mariners Saturday
By Eric Garcia McKinley / Purple Row | September 13, 2015
The Rockies lost to the Mariners 7-to-2 on Saturday night.
The Mariners pecked away at Yohan Flande over 3 2/3 innings. Robinson Cano hit a solo home run off of Flande in the
second inning, Kyle Seager doubled in a run in the third, and in the fourth inning Jesus Montero hit a home run
and John Hicks scored on a sacrifice bunt. In all, Flande allowed four runs on six hits; he walked two and struck out
three.
David Hale relieved Flande, and in the fifth inning he allowed a solo home run to Franklin Guitierrez to make it a 5-to-0
game in favor of the Mariners.
The Rockies responded in the sixth inning. Tom Murphy reached on an error to lead off the inning, and he eventually
scored on a DJ LeMahieu fielder's choice. LeMahieu then scored on a Nolan Arenado sacrifice fly to make it a 5-to-2
game.
Hale struck out the side in the bottom of the sixth, but in the bottom of the seventh Nelson Cruz tagged Hale for his 41st
dinger of the season. It was a two run shot and made the game 7-to-2. That's how it ended.
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The Tourist Experience in Asheville
By Adam Peterson / Rockies Zingers | September 13, 2015
One of the simplest joys of being a baseball fan is attending a game in person. Watching the hometown nine take the
field, with all the sound and fury unfolding before your eyes rather than through a lens, is what connects us to the game
and keeps us coming back for more.
But, if you’re like me, you find yourself separated from your team of choice by timezones, with no major league
alternatives nearby. This has been a bit of a blessing and a curse. While I’ve missed the major league product, there is
still live baseball available. The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds play but a couple miles from my residence, but there are also
roughly two dozen teams between Class-A and Triple-A within an 8-hour drive, including Rockies South Atlantic League
affiliate since 1994, the Asheville Tourists. This past Labor Day weekend, it was time for a road trip.
Asheville, home to about 87,000 people, is nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, giving it a
nice, small-mountain-town feel. Nationally renownedfor its restaurants, microbreweries, and outdoor culture, it’s become a
haven for those hip, hippie, foodie, beer-snobby, and green. Think of it this way: take Boulder, Colorado, and remove the
Pottery Barns, the Apple Stores, the Ann Taylors, and anything else particularly bourgeois, and you have Asheville.
Depending on who you are, that might be a very good thing or a not so good thing.
My wife (and adventuresome traveling partner) and I arrived in Asheville late Friday night and spent the day Saturday
exploring what the city has to offer before heading down to historic McCormick Field to catch a game. The guy at the
ticket tent recognized my Modesto Nuts hat, proving that RoxFam is more than just a hashtag. One hour before first pitch
we were able to snag 2 seats right behind home plate for $25–total; the joys of minor league baseball. I was ready to see
the place where the original player to be named later hit his record home run.
McCormick Field has hosted minor league baseball in Asheville since 1924, making it one of the oldest stadiums in the
minors in use. It hardly shows its age, thanks in part to two renovations, the most recent back in 1992. As one approaches
the stadium, the iconic McCORMICK FIELD gate welcomes you, as well as the pennants from their South Atlantic League
titles from 1984, 2012 and 2014, waving from the top of the stadium edifice.
The Tourists had a lot to celebrate this year. Not only did they win that SAL title last yearbehind top prospects David
Dahl, Raimel Tapia and Ryan McMahon, but they also hosted the 2015 South Atlantic League All-Star Game back on
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June 23rd (the North All-Stars defeated the host South All-Stars, 7-5). And, to cap it off, the team was celebrating the
100th anniversary of the Tourists nickname. The Tourists have moved around between many leagues and classifications
over their history, which dates back to 1897. They came to be known as the Tourists in 1915 and, save for a brief stretch
as the Asheville Orioles from 1972 to 1975, have held the moniker ever since. Needless to say there are few teams in the
majors or minors with the history of the Asheville Tourists.
Of course, the gift shop was filled with special memorabilia commemorating each of these special events. I’m thankful my
wife was with me to prevent me from overspending.
Visitors can make their way to the stands from here or wrap around behind the field to explore the concourse. The high
arches supporting the grandstand roof and lend a sense of awe to the stadium. Complete with your standard ballpark food
as well as several specialty beer carts, each featuring one of Asheville’s many microbreweries, it’s easy to find something
for everyone. We walked around to the third base entrance, up the stairs to the field, greeted as perfect a setting for
baseball as Asheville could possibly give.
The sky blue walls, high and decked with advertisements local and national, held back the encroaching trees mounting an
assault from high upon the Asheville hills. The one in right field, nearly as tall as the Green Monster in Boston, had the
minimally digital scoreboard, with one big screen used for player intros and between innings promotions. Though only 373
feet to center, it may as well be 473 for these young hitters, who average a scant 21.5 years of age. The presence of only
two umpires reminds you just how far this is from the big crowds and bigger spotlight of the Show. The field was in pristine
condition, no small feat considering this was the last series of the regular season, the end of the grind and, hopefully, the
beginning of the next step towards that dream of playing for the big club. It was beautiful and pristine in its simplicity.
The Asheville faithful turned out for the Saturday night game. Even after accounting for Jersey Giveaway Night, there
were a lot people in the stands wearing Tourists gear and they were vocal and attentive; throughout the game people
cheered throughout with little (if any) prompting from the scoreboard. We found our seats and I set out to start keeping
score with my trusty Halfliner. Before long I noticed two other people in my section participating in the lost art, as well. I
smiled, delighted to find myself enjoying a game in a baseball town.
The between-innings promotions were in the grand tradition of minor league baseball, including a “Guess the Speed”
contest, where one lucky fan had the opportunity to guess the speed of one of the first three pitches of the next inning to
win Bojangles for everybody (he was off by 1mph). Then there was a race between kids dressed in tooth-
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related costumes (the toothbrush won), and the Krispy Kreme 7th-Inning donut giveaway (donuts for all!), each of
which reminded me of the parent club in some way. The promotions were interesting enough to keep me and my wife, two
people who tend to ignore such in-game distractions, intrigued and attentive.
The game itself brought plenty of drama. The Tourists were clinging to a 1/2 game lead over the Greenville Drive for the
South Division Wild Card spot, with the Drive having won the first game of their double header earlier in the day. The
visiting Greensboro Grasshoppers (49-87) were playing out the string and sending out Gabriel Castellanosand his notso-sparkling 5.65 ERA to the McCormick Field mound. It seemed like a mismatch.
The Tourists got on the board in the bottom of the second, thanks to a two-out walk from DH Max White and a double off
the high right field wall by Josh Fuentes. White, trying to score from first on the play, ran through the stop sign thrown up
by the third base coach and scored on the wide throw. Meanwhile, Tourists starter Sam Howard managed to keep the
‘Hoppers off the board in the first four innings, flashing a low-90’s fastball and breaking off a couple devastating breaking
balls. In the fifth, with two outs and a man on second, he gave up back to back hits to give Greensboro the lead. From
there, the Tourists couldn’t really get anything going, emulating their parent club by getting caught stealing on all 4
attempts. In the seventh, a leadoff single by all-South Atlantic League third baseman Shane Hoelscher, followed by a
pair of wild pitches put the Tourists in position to tie. Fellow all-SAL outfielder (and number 27 PuRP) Omar
Carrizales drove in Hoelscher with a sac fly to left to knot the game at 2-2.
Again, in true 2015 Rockies fashion, the bullpen couldn’t hold it. Right hander Shane Halley, who stuck retired the side in
order in the 7th, gave up a leadoff walk. Three batters later it was 3-2 Grasshoppers when a bouncing ball to the right side
was barely snagged by Forrest Wall, but he made an ill-advised throw which allowed the trail runner to advance to third
and the batter to advance to second (the number 8 PuRP had a tough 0-for-4 at the plate; he struck out twice and
grounded into a double play). That ended the night for Halley and, after giving up one more (unearned) run, the Tourists
trailed 5-2. Another hit from Hoelscher followed by a two-out walk from catcher Dom Nunez (number 17 PuRP) brought
the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Greensboro reliever Jose Velez got Carrizales to strike out to end
the game.
The Tourists went on to win the next night and clinch their 3rd trip to the playoffs in 4 years on Monday thanks to a
Greenville loss. They defeated the South Division champion Savannah Sand Gnats (soon to be the Columbia Fireflies) in
a best-of-three set two games to one, winning the deciding game in Savannah on Saturday night. They’ll get to try to
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defend their 2014 title against the Hickory Crawdads in the best-of-five South Atlantic League Championship beginning
Monday.
Overall, the Tourist experience was one to cherish and remember, from the gear in the Tourist Trap, to the fans all over
town sporting their glow-in-the-dark Mr. Moon caps. What will stay with me most, though, is the experience of McCormick
Field itself. As the darkness grew and the mist fell and the lights came on, I couldn’t help but be taken back to games
immemorial, with teams outfitted with local boys and barnstorming ringers. For nearly a century the great game has been
played at the base of these hills and the ghosts of those great competitors whisper to you with each fizzing fastball and
every whistling line drive. It’s an experience that will surely continue to attract Tourists and fans for years to come.
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Rockies come up short in 7-2 loss to Mariners
Associated Press | September 13, 2015
SEATTLE (AP) — Even when the Colorado Rockies were scoring they had trouble getting hits Saturday night.
The Seattle Mariners had no such trouble, as Robinson Cano, Jesus Montero, Franklin Gutierrez and Nelson Cruz all
homered in a 7-2 win over the Rockies.
Colorado went down in order the first three innings against Seattle left-hander Roenis Elias (5-8), and the Rockies scored
both their runs in the sixth without getting a hit. An error by Elias and two walks loaded the bases with no outs, and DJ
LeMahieu's fielder's choice and Arenado's sacrifice fly each drove in a run, giving Colorado two runs and a total of one hit
through the first six innings. The Rockies finished with four hits in the game.
"We had a hard time making contact early," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "Their lefty was electric early on."
Elias was pulled during that sixth inning, having allowed two unearned runs and one hit while striking out eight in 5 1/3
innings.
Colorado starter Yohan Flande (3-3) had an even shorter night, leaving the game after the Mariners scored twice in the
fourth inning.
The first run came on Montero's solo homer, his third of the season. The second run started when Nolan Arenado's
throwing error allowed Shawn O'Malley to reach third base with one out, and he scored on a squeeze bunt by John
Hicks to give Seattle a 4-0 lead.
Flande's 3 2/3 innings pitched marked his shortest start of the season. He gave up four runs and six hits.
"At times he was just missing, and those mistakes got hit," said Colorado catcher Tom Murphy, who made his major
league debut Saturday.
Cruz's two-run homer in the seventh was his 41st, tying Baltimore's Chris Davis for the major league lead. He also had a
run-scoring single in the third inning, finishing 2 for 4 with three RBIs.
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Cano's deep homer to right in the second inning opened the scoring and also set a milestone. It was the 50th extra-base
hit of the season for Cano, who is one of five players to have least 50 extra-base hits in each of his first 11 seasons.
DEBUT NIGHT
Murphy went hitless in his first major league game. He started at catcher for the Rockies a day after being called up to
replace Nick Hundley, who was placed on the 60-day DL with a cervical strain. "It's something I'll never forget, that's for
sure," he said.
LEFTY TROUBLE
The Rockies are now 6-26 when facing a left-handed starter, worst in the majors. "The level of our struggles against lefthanders is a little perplexing," Weiss said before Saturday's game. "It's been a challenge for us. We haven't hit them, all
kinds. Power guys, crafty guys, they've all been a struggle for us." Colorado is expected to face left-handed starters in
each of its next three games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: SS Jose Reyes was held out of the lineup for the second straight game with a sore Achilles. "He is better,"
Weiss said. "I felt like I wanted to give him another day though, because (Friday) he was really sore."
Mariners: Gutierrez started in left field, his first start since leaving the game on Sept. 4 with a strained right groin. ... Cruz
will be limited to designated hitter duties while recovering from a strained right quad. "He's still nursing it," Seattle
manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I would not anticipate him being in the outfield through this homestand."
UP NEXT
Rockies: RHP Kyle Kendrick (5-12, 6.25 ERA) will start the series finale Sunday, his third start since coming off the
disabled list (right shoulder). It will be Kendrick's first career appearance against the Mariners.
Mariners: LHP James Paxton (3-3, 3.70) will make his first start Sunday since May 28. Paxton was placed on the disabled
list the next day with a strained left middle finger. McClendon said Paxton's finger is fully healed. "He'll go until he can't go
anymore," McClendon said.
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