Hanging In There

I have to admit, I turned the Rockies game off in the 7th inning yesterday after the Padres took a 7-4 lead.  After watching them squander opportunity after opportunity offensively to score runs for the past few weeks,   I figured a 3 run deficit was going to be hard to overcome.

But somehow they did it in the bottom of the 9th and the 10th managing a split over the Padres for the weekend giving them a 4-3 record for the week and actually gaining a game on the D-Backs.

The Rockies sorely missed Michael Cuddyer who was out for the final 3 games, but is hopeful of returning Tuesday against the Nationals.   With Cargo, Tulo, and even Wilin Rosario starting to hit again, this lineup could be formidable in the warm weather joining Cuddyer, who has hit pretty well all year.

I grew up watching Mike Schmidt play.  I consider Schmidt the greatest defensive third baseman I have ever seen (slightly ahead of Brooks Robinson).   I have spent the past 16 years watching the Rockies third basemen play including Vinnie Castillo, Garrett Atkins, and Ian Stewart.   But Nolan Arenado has the chance to surpass all of them and maybe--just maybe surpass Schmidt.  Arenado has crazy quick reflexes, a great arm, and a head for the game which was on display when he tried to create a double play on a ball down the line.  He definitely saved the Friday night game with his diving stop to his left, before he won it with his bat.

Speaking of fielding the Rockies have made quite a few errors lately, but they have also come up with some spectacular catches.  Cargo made 3 catches yesterday including one that would have been a home run.    The Padres were no slouches as well with some amazing grabs that kept the games from getting away from them.  All in all, a pretty exciting series.