Rockies Game Recap: 7/23

               The Rockies had another disappointing game tonight as they dropped game two of their series with the Marlins by a final score of 4-2. The offense continues to slump and there seems to be no signs of breaking out of it. DJ LeMahieu continues to swing a hot bat as he had another multi-hit game but unfortunately he can’t carry the team by himself.

                Jhoulys Chacin threw the ball well again tonight but was saddled with the loss because of the lack of run support on the night. His final line was seven innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, while striking out four and not walking any batters. He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since June 7^th, and he has six quality starts in his last seven games. His counterpart, Jose Fernandez, also had a great game. He went seven innings allowing five hits, two runs, two walks,  and struck out eight. He kept the Rockies hitters off balance all night and showed why he is one of the top up and coming prospects in the game of baseball. He pitches beyond his age as he is only 20 years old but he is able to comprehend the art of pitching, and how to successfully work deeper into games. Most young pitchers who have an arm like his will try and strike everyone out, which in turn causes them to exit the game earlier than they should. Fernandez does not do that and pitches to contact but has the ability to reach back and get the strikeout when needed. Marlins Closer Steve Cishek came in for the ninth inning and nailed down his 19^th save of the season when he slammed the door on the Rockies.

                Offensively the Rockies were only able to muster up five hits against the Marlins. There seems to be no answer for the Rockies offensive struggles over the last week and it is costing them games during this crucial part of the season. Todd Helton got the Rockies off to a great start as he blasted a home run into the second deck in right field in the second inning. The Marlins answered back in the top of the third inning when Christian Yelich got his first RBI in his career on a two out single to centerfield. The Marlins then added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning off of an RBI double by Adeiny Hechavarria and an RBI single by Christian Yelich. The Rockies drew to within one in the sixth inning when Carlos Gonzalez had an RBI ground out that scored DJ LeMahieu who had tripled before him. That was as the Rockies got even though they had a few chances to get even. Giancarlo Stanton added an insurance run with a long home run to left field in the 8^th inning.

               The Marlins had the debut of two of their highly touted prospects in today's game in Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick. Yelich had a fantastic debut as he went 3 for four with two RBI. Marisnick had a couple of good at bats but was unable to secure his first Major League hit as he went 0 for 4 on the night. Both players have a bright future with the Marlins and they have a chance to become very good players as long as they continue to develop their skills. They each have the potential for a power and speed combination, and you add them into the outfield with Giancarlo Stanton and they have the chance to become one of the best outfields in the game of baseball.  

                This series is not going how the Rockies wanted. Heading into the series the Marlins had not scored a run in over four games and they were not showing any signs of breaking out of it. The Rockies have pitched well in the series but it is hard to win a game when you only score one or two runs like the Rockies have done in the first two games. The Rockies dropped to 2-3 in this critical 10 game home stand which will determine what the Rockies will do at the trade deadline at the end of this month.