StL eats Kim's lunch

Date: 5/10/2006
Position: 1st NL West
Games Back: --
Magic Number: 129 (Pending results of ARI-PIT game)

Kim ER: 7

Suppan ER: 3

Final Score: 4-7, StL

Players of the game:

Albert Pujols (1B StL, 2-4, HR, 2RBI), Juan Encarnación (RF StL, 1-4, 1R, 2RBI), Matt Holliday (2-4, R, RBI, 3B), Cory Sullivan (2-4, R, RBI), Ramon Ramirez (2.0IP, 1H, 3K, 0R, Season ERA 0.00)

Letdown of a start from BH Kim. After a week of excellent pitching across, the board, the rotation came full circle and Kim struggled again. Kim allowed 7ER in 4.2IP, including an Albert Pujols two-run jack and the same from Juan Encarnación.

This game wasn't evidence of Rockies' lack of skill, but rather of the excellence of the Cardinals' bats. Their lineup just read Kim like a book, and then hit that book over the left field fence.

There were good points to the Rockies game, though. Through 14IP this season, Ramon Ramirez still hasn't allowed a run. Holliday has a 5-game hitting streak going, and has safely reached in 7 of his last 8 games, to the tune of .530. Ardoin went 2-3 today, with a run (his 3rd consecutive game with hits), Carroll is still hitting the ball, Helton doubled and scored, and a few other good things. The team only had 5 LOB today as well, 3 with RISP.

Overall, I don't think there's much I can say against the team right now, they've been playing some excellent ball. And don't forget, last season's team split the season with the Cards, so I'm hoping this series here is just a fluke.

I just wanna mention Ardoin for a minute. I'm thinking Hurdle threatened him with designation, and he's finding a way to hit. I'm not sure what had him so preoccupied, but I'm very impressed with his recent production. He's getting hits so the bigger hitters at the top can drive him in. Which is how batting lineups are supposed to work.

However, I do want to gripe about Clint Barmes for a little while. Wasn't this Clint Barmes fellow supposed to be the best thing to happen to the Coors Field infield since Neifi Perez? Well, he's down to about .236 around now, been dropped in the lineup to 7th, and to top it off, has 4 errors and a .969 Field% so far? Yeah, 4 errors isn't that bad, but when the Utility infielders are all playing more efficient ball, it starts to worry me. Here's to hoping he finds his bat again, and we don't have to begin thinking of the word "Tradebait."

Here are stats to cheer everyone up.


Coming up after a Thursday off, the Rockies continue their NL Central road trip in Minute Maid Park against the recently swept Astros, where Jason Jennings (2-2, 4.70) will square off against Fernando Nieve (1-1, 5.55) in a GRUDGE MATCH. Ok, not really that, but I'm sure the Stros are a little sore getting swept on the road by the Rox, and then dropping the next two as well. Here's to hoping the Dodgers keep beating them real good so when we venture down to Houston we'll have a tired, browbeaten team to take on.

Anyhow, that's enough for this postgame report. Andrew signing off. Good evening, Good Luck, and GO ROCKIES!!!