Stay Positive

Rockies broadcaster George Frazier summed it up succinctly when he said after today's game:

"The Rockies should be 3-1, not 1-3."

So why are they 1-3? Simple. Scott Dohmann can't keep his fastball down in the zone. Little 'ol Michael Tucker tore the Rockies heart out today, jacking a first-pitch fastball into McCovey Cove, spoiling Jamey Wright's masterful (except for 5 walks) start.

Last night was even worse. The Rockies battled back from a six run deficit, only to have Dohmann blow it by giving up the game-winner to Marquis Grissom. To be fair, Dohmann did not create that problem. But he did create today's problem.

Brought in with one man on and two men out, Dohmann created a bases-loaded situation. He was squeezed a bit by the ump, but that is not an excuse. It should have been lock-down time. Dohmann simply didn't get it done.

The Rockies, to their credit, are not screwing around. Allan Simpson, while he has good stuff, was a disaster the other night. They traded him for Jose Acevedo, who at the very least should be able to chew up more innings in the middle of the game. This, to me was the biggest problem with the makeup of the Rockies bullpen before, lots of short relievers, no long relievers. With the team apparently turning to BK to be the closer, that eliminated him as a long set up guy as well. Acevedo should be able to fill that need. I think this probably means they put Bobby Seay in the Springs, but we'll see. That is what I would do. I think Seay is nice, certainly more useful than Reggie Taylor, but if Brian Fuentes is not the closer, there is little need for 3 lefty short relievers in the pen. Having Acevedo creates a much better mix.

In any event, Dohmann needs to do a better job keeping the ball down in the zone. He almost cost the Rox Opening Day, and he helped cost us both games vs. the Giants.