The Rockies took down their rival Giants last night by a final score of 6-1. The Rockies got home runs from Todd Helton and Charlie Blackmon, as well as six shutout innings from starting pitcher Juan Nicasio. It was a strong start to the series and a strong start to the current nine game home stand. The Rockies will try and finish out the season strong and get a look at some prospects that will be a factor in years to come for the team. It has been a disappointing stretch for the Rockies as they hung close in the division race for much of the first half, but fell apart in the second half as their struggles on the road eventually led to their demise.
Tonight the Rockies will be handing the ball off to Chad Bettis as he looks to get his first career major league victory. He had a victory snatched away from him in his last start when he took on the Phillies. He had his best start of the year as he went 5 1/3rd innings allowing six hits, one run, issued one walk, and struck out five batters. He left the game with a 4-1 lead but Rafael Betancourt blew a save in the ninth inning and cost him his first victory in the Major Leagues. He has made one start at home this year and pitched well against the Pirates but took a no decision in the game. He went six innings allowing just four hits, two runs, two walks and struck out three. Bettis will need to work the corners of the plate against the Giants hitters as they feast on any mistakes that a pitcher leaves over the middle of the plate. He showed glimpses of being a formidable pitcher in his last start as he had good command of all of his pitches. He will need to show more of that in this start tonight.
Tonight the Giants will be sending Yusmeiro Petit to the hill to face off against the Rockies. Petit has only pitched in one game this year for the Giants which was an emergency appearance as he relieved Eric Surkamp in a game in July. In that game he pitched well as he went 5 1/3rd innings allowing six hits, two runs, no walks and struck out seven. He has been starting at the AAA level for the Giants and has put up mediocre numbers on the year. At Fresno he has a 5-6 record with a 4.52 ERA in 15 games started on the year. The one plus that he does have is that he has high strikeout numbers and good command so he can limit the amount of walks he issues. He does not have great stuff, which is surprising since he has great strikeout numbers throughout his career. He will rely heavily on his slider and curveball. He has great command with all of his pitches and can hit the spots with ease. He hides the ball really well in his delivery so it is hard for hitters to pick the ball up out of his hand. The Rockies will have the task of trying to figure him out tonight.
The Giants lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Gregor Blanco, CF
2. Marco Scutaro, 2B
3. Brandon Belt, 1B
4. Hunter Pence, RF
5. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
6. Hector Sanchez, C
7. Brandon Crawford, SS
8. Roger Kieschnick, LF
9. Yusmeiro Petit, P
The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
1. Corey Dickerson, LF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Wilin Rosario, C
7. Nolan Arenado, 3B
8. Charlie Blackmon, CF
9. Chad Bettis, P
First pitch for the game tonight is at 6:40 PM Mountain time. The Rockies will be trying to get two wins in a row which has been much harder for them than it should be in the second half of the season. In other news, the results of Rafael Betancourt's MRI revealed that he has a full tear of his UCL in his elbow which could be the end of his career. He is going to try some platelet rich injections to see if that will build some scar tissue enough to allow him to pitch again. If the injections do not work then he will retire as opposed to having Tommy John Surgery and rehabbing in order to come back.
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