Backs to the Wall

Usually a one run loss late really hurts, and although the loss puts the Rockies in a bind, I left the game last night...er, early this morning feeling more content than I probably should. Perhaps it's because it's the Phillies, the team I rooted for as a Phillie Phanatic in my childhood and most of my adult life, but I think it was more because I believe both teams played hard despite the cold conditions and did everything they could to win. One thing breaks the other way and the outcome could be the opposite.

Carlos Gonzalez scored three times to tie the game, 1-1, 4-4 on HR and 5-5 on a Sac Fly, but the the Rockies weren't able to get him to tie it at 6-6 in the 9th. Not sure if that would have been any kind of record, but it would have been great from a Rockies perspective.

So tonight's game is the first of two must wins for the Rockies or the 2009 Season that has seen it's share of magical moments will be over. It's going to require the Rockies to knock Cliff Lee out fairly early. Lee has never pitched at Coors Field before, and has had a few bad outings this season for the Phillies mostly on the road, so there's hope. But the Rockies just can't afford to leave baserunners on in key situations without getting anything out of it.

The Rockies also need to have Ubaldo Jimenez in control. Without the 8 walks last night, the Rockies might have coasted to an easy win. In the first two games the Rockies gave up 5 walks total.

But the RISP for the series is 5 for 19 or .263 for the Rockies and 11 for 28 for the Phillies at .392. Even that out a little more and we could have a completely different series.