Disappointing End

Just when you thought the Rockies had another one of their magical last at-bat comebacks, the Phillies come up with one of their own against Huston Street.

Many people are down on Street, but he's been tremendous all year, and contributed so much to getting the Rockies into the Playoffs. My only concern is whether his arm wasn't as strong as it was before the late-season injury.

Baseball is a game without a clock. You can't sit on the ball and wait it out, you have to eventually face someone, and when you do, you have to get the out. Utley worked a walk after having two strikes, Howard and Werth get hits. They did their job against a Huston Street who had been so strong all season. Give them some credit along with the blame on Street.

Is there any doubt now that Carlos Gonzalez is a Major-League Ballplayer? Struggling when he was first called up in June, and on the verge of being sent down in July if his critics had his way, Jim Tracy stayed with CarGo and it paid off down the stretch and especially in the playoff series. He garnered 10 hits, 5 runs, and 2 Stolen Bases. He also had 2 walks and only struckout once.

I've been pulling for Clint Barmes, but you have to wonder just how much his great fielding overcomes his anemic hitting. Magnified by an 0 for 14 in the Playoffs, he hit .245 during the regular season. He could possibly develop into a better hitter. I for one, would like to see him cut down the HR (23 this year) and get more base hits and improve the average to .270 or better. Not sure I would issue a multi-year contract to him just yet.

Yorvit Torrealba briefly left the Rockies two years ago to be a Met. When it turned out the contract wasn't what he thought it was he returned to the Rockies. You just have to love his boyish enthusiasm for the game, and the way he handles the pitchers and got key hits down the stretch were big.

The Rockies were 45-0 at home and 83-1 overall when leading after the 8th inning during the season. They ended up 84-2 overall and 45-1 at home.