Don't Be Afraid of What You'll Find On The Way

Last night's game can't pass without a comment.

First of all, Greg Holland is human after all.  After 23 straight saves in save situations, he blew one.

Second of all, blowing an 8 run lead is nothing new either in Denver or any other place. Here is a rundown of some of them.  And for the record none of them involve the Rockies at home or away.

So it happens.  As Bud Black said last night, it wasn't so much the venue as the pitch locations.

So let's be realistic.  It's strange to say, but the Rockies are in a slump.  That seems strange to say when they have won 9 of the last 12, but you don't have to be in a long losing streak to be in a slump, and really it's good to continue winning while you are in a slump. Since May 24, the Rockies are 12-9, and have had two 3 game losing streaks.

Carlos Gonzalez is batting .091 over this stretch (5 for 55) with only 1 home run.   Trevor Story still hasn't gotten untracked although he has hit .250 over the past 3 weeks.  Gerardo Parra is on the DL after batting .577.  German Marquez has had a couple of so-so starts although the Rockies have pulled both of them out.  Ottavino, Dunn and Holland have been less effective in the bullpen lately.  There seems to be more frequent errors and a lot more walks.

The bottom line is that you don't have to lose 15 of 20 to be in a slump.  To win 12 out of 20 despite  the slump is actually good news.  When CarGo starts hitting and someone else slumps, that's actually a good thing. For the most part this year, the Rockies Hitting has picked up the pitching and the hittting and fielding has picked up the pitching at other times.

Despite the loss of an 8 run lead in the last three innings, it paved the way for Raimel Tapia to get his first walk-off hit of his career (and the Rockies 1st Walk-off win of the season).   The Rockies bend but don't break, and seemingly have a different hero every night.

The Rockies remain undefeated at 41-0 when leading after 7 innings.  And they are now 10-2 in one-run games.  It's their first one-run win since May 4, at San Diego (40 games ago).