Good start overcomes low expectations

Alright, call me crazy. Say I'm wrong, laugh or whatever.

Josh Fogg strung together 6 1/3 innings, allowing only 6 hits and 2 runs in a 2-3 loss to the division rival Padres.

After a 4-3 victory which displayed Jason Hirsh and his disgustingly breaking changeup, we find offseason stir Josh Fogg bringing his own changeup into PetCo. Through 101 pitches, Fogg struck out 3, forced 7 groundball outs, and began the season displaying the kind of expertise we'd like to see out of a $3.625M salary.

Despite Fogg's well pitched effort, the Rockies only mustered 2 runs on octogenarian David Wells, stranding 4. Interestingly enough, the statlines looked almost identical:

Fogg: 6.1 6 2 2 1 3 1
Wells: 6.2 6 2 2 1 4 0

For two #5 starters, this is a fine sign for two teams preparing for what is projected to be a very close division over the season.

Now, I've said this to people around here, and I'll say it now on here, I'm going to reserve all judgements until at least May. I mean, so far the 'worst' pitcher on staff is our #1 Aaron Cook, and our closer isn't looking so hot either...through 5 games. We'll let another 20 or so pass by and then start making predictions and what have you. I'm still very apprehensive about Josh Fogg and Rodrigo Lopez, and Hirsh is looking very promising, but we'll still have to see.

Anyway, moving back to tonight's game.

The ups:

Josh Fogg gave us a solid 6 1/3.
Willy Taveras made it through a game without striking out.

The downs:

The bullpen was unable to hold a lead - now this is only a minor down, because it's not as if they gave up a walkoff grand slam. It was 1 run in 2 innings of relief.
The bats were unsatisfactory. The Rox managed 7 hits, but only 2 runs scored on said hits. With bases loaded in the 7th and 2 outs, Chris Ianetta popped out to RF to leave behind what could have been a game-winning lead.

For one game, this isn't a lot to worry about. However, last season, cool bats with runners aboard led to many lost games, and contributed to a slump that took the Rockies from right around .500 down to an NL-West worst .469.

But in terms of pitching, this looks to be an almost promising season. We've made it all the way through the rotation once now, and Aaron Cook will wrap up the 3-game series tomorrow afternoon at PetCo against Padres #1, Jake Peavy. Peavy's opening day gig included shutting down the Giants' lineup for 6 innings and getting his season off to a grand start. Rockies starter Aaron Cook is looking to rebound from a 6-inning, 5ER start that came down to dueling bullpens.

However, for those of you watching from last season, you may recall a few forgettable starts for Peavy, namely another Sunday in early April start in PetCo, involving Cory Sullivan performing a feat that hadn't been accomplished in 50 years and Peavy sucking up 8 ER in just 4 IP.

Peavy has a 4.79 career ERA against Colorado.

So for those of you in the SD area, head your way down to PetCo and watch your Colorado Rockies drop yet another division foe. Until next time, Let's Go Rockies!

--Andrew