Carlos Gonzalez continues torrid pace as Colorado Rockies sweep Houston Astros

Carlos Gonzalez continues to hit extremely well for the Rockies.

A few things have become apparent in the first two months of Colorado Rockies baseball in 2012. The first is that the offense is going to have to carry the club. The second is that Carlos Gonzalez is one of the best hitters in the game.

A night after slamming three home runs against the Astros in route to a big win, Gonzalez stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 1st inning on Thursday and drilled a Bud Norris pitch to left-center field. The ball landed in landed just on the other side of the fence, giving the Rockies a three run lead before Norris and the Astros recorded an out.

More importantly, it gave CarGo his fourth home run in four at-bats. Gonzalez is just the 22nd time in Major League history to accomplish the feat.

Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies smash their way to victory

CarGo crushed three homers in the win.

Those who don't watch him will point to his numbers at Coors Field. Those who do watch him know that his home runs have nothing to do with the hitter's park. On Wednesday, Carlos Gonzalez hit three home runs to  help power the Colorado Rockies to a 13-5 victory over the Houston Astros.

The amazing thing about a three-homer night is that it was simply a sub-plot, as the Rockies got a grand slam from Michael Cuddyer in the 1st inning, his second of the season, and a three-run shot from the suddenly resurgent Dexter Fowler.

Suddenly, this Rockies team is playing the same brand of baseball that brought so many fans to the ballpark in the late 90's. With suspect starting pitching, the Rockies are figuring out that the offense is going to have to hit on all cylinders almost every night in order for the team to win.

This was the way that the team knew it would have to be going into spring training. If they were going to win, it was going to have to come by way of a powerful offense that put the team on their backs on most nights. To win, this club does not need equal performances from the starting pitching, they need the offense to carry the load.

On Wednesday, the outing the Rockies got from Christian Friedrich was not all that bad. Sure, he gave up five runs on 11 hits in six innings of work, but four runs came in one inning. As a young kid, making just his fifth big league start, a bad inning should be expected.

Can the Colorado Rockies get back to being respectable?

It's time to get the youth some experience in 2012.

The Memorial Day doubleheader sweep of the Houston Astros by the Colorado Rockies gave the few remaining believers hope.

In reality, however, this team has dug itself such a huge hole that the dream of climbing out of it and back into contention is extremely unrealistic. Crazy things happen sometimes, but just because it has happened to the Rockies twice in recent history doesn't mean it will happen again.

The reason why this team won't climb all the way back into the race is simple. They don't have the starting pitching to make a run. The postseason runs in 2007 and 2009 came courtesy of phenomenal pitching. In '07 Ubaldo Jimenez, Manny Corpas and Franklin Morales were baptized by fire, probably in too much of a whirlwind to realize what they were doing at the big league level.

In '09, Jeff Francis was in the midst of a career season, one in which he would never see again. Jorge De La Rosa put the issues that nearly sabotaged his career aside and pitched with confidence. Jason Marquis anchored the rotation in the early going while the team struggled to pick up wins.

Dexter Fowler caps off exciting day for Colorado Rockies with walk-off triple

This is what the optimists envisioned when they believed the Colorado Rockies could contend.

The Rockies gave their fans some good memories on an eventful Memorial Day doubleheader sweep of the Houston Astros at Coors Field.

The night game was capped off by a resurgent Dexter Fowler lacing a triple down the right field line, scoring Michael Cuddyer all the way from first base in the 10th inning to break a six-all tie. The triple completed a perfect night for the center fielder. Fowler went 4-for-4 with three RBIs, a lead-off home run, a triple, and a bunt hit that resulted in a two-base error, leaving Fowler on third base.

However, as encouraging as the overall performance for Fowler was, the most impressive at-bat from the switch hitter came in the 4th inning with the bases loaded and two outs. It was the at-bat in which Fowler did the least, yet showed reason for optimism for his development.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Fowler had two strikes and was looking for a base hit to keep the inning alive. Instead of trying to do too much, Fowler put the pressure back on Astros starting pitcher Jordan Lyles. Instead of swinging for the base hit, Fowler forced Lyles to throw strikes. He couldn't, and suddenly the center fielder was headed to first base with a bases-loaded walk.

Colorado Rockies lose home run derby at Great American Ballpark

An inspiring story, but it's time to move on from Jamie Moyer.

Nine home runs were hit on Sunday at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Five of them were by the Colorado Rockies. In a slug fest, the Rockies found themselves on the short end, losing 7-5 to close out a six-game road trip at 2-4.

The Reds showed exactly what the saying "solo home runs don't beat you" means. The Rockies hit five solo bombs, the only five hits the club registered on the day. In fact, in an odd coincidence, Reds starter Mat Latos went 7-1/3 innings, giving up all five earned runs--and never pitched out of the stretch.

The reason the Rockies lost was due to another poor pitching performance. For the second time on the road trip, Jamie Moyer was lit up on the mound. His low 80's fastball wasn't fooling anyone, and he quickly had the Rockies in a hole 5-1.

Moyer was good enough to fight his way through five innings, but the club was reminded once again of just how important it is for the starting pitcher to be good enough to keep them in the game.

Jeremy Guthrie proving to be a horrible offseason move for Colorado Rockies

Trading for Jeremy Guthrie is proving to be a huge mistake.

Jeremy Guthrie looked extremely pedestrian for the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night in Cincinnati as the Reds ended the Rockies two game winning streak with a 10-3 victory.

The Rockies main objective this offseason was to create a winning culture in the clubhouse. They made moves to get savvy veterans who would play team baseball. They wanted to bring in players who were hungry to win and would put their personal numbers aside to play the game the right way.

On paper, it sounded good. The team impressed many around baseball by overpaying for Michael Cuddyer, a free agent who plays hard-nosed baseball. They were willing to take on the salary of Marco Scutaro, another hard-nosed veteran who knows how to take a good at-bat.

The third big move was to shore up the pitching staff. General Manager Dan O'Dowd pulled the trigger on a trade that sent Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom to Baltimore for Orioles ace Jeremy Guthrie. Hammel had fallen out of favor, and out of the rotation, in Colorado and Guthrie was a proven innings-eater.

Colorado Rockies show the talent that they have in win

Christian Friedrich has been a pleasant surprise.

Two in a row. The Colorado Rockies are the proud owners of a two game winning streak.

It doesn't sound like much, but considering the way the team has performed in May, a two game streak may as well be a 15 game winning streak.

Friday night was a game that showcased why the club should be far better than they have performed throughout the month of May.

The majority of the credit for the win has to go to left-handed starting pitcher Christian Friedrich. The rookie, making his fourth career start, once again was impressive for the Rockies. He continued looking focused and poised. Despite a poor outing on Saturday against the Mariners, Friedrich bounced back and pitched well, giving the Rockies a chance.

Colorado Rockies break losing streak, avoid sweep in Miami

Alex White kept his team in the game with a 6 inning performance.

On Wednesday night in Miami, the Colorado Rockies won 8-4, giving them their first win in three months.

So, it wasn't three months, but that is what it seems like. In reality, the win is just their fourth since embarking on a west coast road trip that was eight games long. That trip made the Rockies go from within striking distance, to fans looking for something to strike.

Wednesday night was one of those games that makes the people who follow this team so frustrated. It was so easy. It went too well. The starting pitching performed. Alex White gave up four runs in six innings of work. He struck out three and walked one while giving up eight hits.

From an outsider's perspective, a starting pitcher going six innings while giving up four runs doesn't seem like a great night. However, based on the way the pitching situation has gone for the Rockies over the past couple of weeks, it was a phenomenal start simply because White made it six innings.

Colorado Rockies mediocrity starts at the top

Dick Monfort stirred the frustration of Rockies fans on Tues.

The Colorado Rockies lost in Miami on Tuesday night. Of course, that was no surprise.

Troy Tulowitzki and Todd Helton came up with the tying run at third base, and both predictably failed. It was simply par for the course in a season that has shown the true colors of a franchise.

The real news came earlier in the day when the Denver Post published an article penned by beat writer Patrick Saunders. Shocking many fans, and yet, not surprising others, principle owner Dick Monfort expressed his support for both general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy.

In the article, Monfort said "I know everybody wants a fall guy and everybody wants blood. I just don't think it's appropriate to do."

The confusion begins at this point. What exactly does a statement like that mean? Does he think that having a 'fall guy' means that one single person has to take the blame for an entire organization's faults? What that statement says is that Monfort knows that the issues go beyond just one person, or one coach.

Essentially, Monfort is telling fans that instead of removing part of the problem, one coach, one manager, one general manager, who is part of the issue, it wouldn't be fair because the issues go far beyond that one guy. So, instead of getting rid of the entire problem, Monfort has decided to keep each and every one of those people who comprise the problems because it wouldn't be fair to get rid of just one of them.

Colorado Rockies take their losing streak to South Beach

Jim Tracy has looked confused by his team's play often in 2012.

What is left to say about these Colorado Rockies? They are running out of ways to lose baseball games.

After being spotted a four-run lead in the 1st inning, Jamie Moyer couldn't pitch well enough to hold the Marlins at bay. His final batter, Giancarlo Stanton, blasted a grand slam just inside the left field foul pole to give the Marlins a 6-4 advantage.

After tacking on another late run, the scoring was over, Marlins win 7-4.

Moyer got crushed, victimized by batters adjusting to the slow speed of his pitches after seeing them a couple of times through the order. He didn't give the Rockies much of a chance to win, but it wasn't a night when the starting pitcher was the lone man to blame.

Rock Bottom: Colorado Rockies continue downward spiral

When will Dick and his brother make a move?

No one called this Colorado Rockies team a World Series contender. No one said they would win 100 games.

However, even the biggest critic couldn't have thought that this team would be this bad, this soon.

On Sunday, the Rockies were swept at home for the second straight three game series, losing 6-4. This time it came at the hands of the lowly Seattle Mariners. It may have been one thing if the Mariners had ace Felix Hernandez on the mound during the series, but the Rockies faced two mediocre pitchers and one good one.

Remember when Jim Tracy hadn't lost a homestand? That seems like a really long time ago. In fact, it is hard to remember the last time the Rockies won a homestand. This one finished 1-4 when it really needed to be closer to 4-1.

Some might say that it is too early to write this team off. After all, it's only May. There is plenty of baseball left to be played. They point to 2007 and 2009 when the Rockies went on historic runs to propel themselves into a playoff spot.

Colorado Rockies front office is slapping their fans in the face

The Rockies might find out the hard way that fans are really mad.

Year of the Fan? What a joke.

Maybe the Colorado Rockies meant for that to be singular, because after the 2012 campaign there might only be one fan left.

One complaint many observant writers and radio hosts around town have about Rockies fans is that they continue to show up in droves to Coors Field, regardless of the product put on the field. They don't demand success and they continue to land at 20th & Blake for the party atmosphere, completely disregarding the poor product on the field.

That is going to change. This town has tasted success. It may have been fleeting, but the runs of 2007 and 2009 were enough to make fans desire more than a fourth place team. For years that was acceptable, but Denver has grown beyond that.

Colorado Rockies victims of complete-game shutout by Kevin Millwood

The Colorado Rockies may be at rock bottom.

Can it get any worse than this? How bad can this team really be?

A day after playing one of the worst games in franchise history in a 9-7 loss at Coors Field, the bumbling Colorado Rockies were shutout by veteran and former teammate, Kevin Millwood on Friday night.

The pitching got blamed on Thursday, but it wasn't their fault on Friday as Alex White went seven innings and gave up two earned runs. He struck out seven and walked none. It was the type of outing that gets a starting pitcher a win the vast majority of the time at Coors Field. This, however, was not one of those times.

When the pitching is good, the offense doesn't show up. When the offense is good, the pitchers can't buy an out.

Dan O'Dowd's faults are off the field, not on them

O'Dowd's support of Jim Tracy is baffling.

With the Colorado Rockies continuing spiral into the abyss, including another disappointing 9-7 loss at Coors Field on Thursday, the debate has shifted.

No longer are fans wondering if this team can turn it around, but rather, who should be fired first.

The debate seems to be an almost even split. Half of the fans blame manager Jim Tracy. He is hard to defend considering his seemingly clueless in-game management decisions and his constantly revolving lineups.

The other side of the debate favors quickly dispatching general manager Dan O'Dowd. With a starting rotation that has looked more like they belong in Tulsa than in the big leagues, and a bullpen that has quickly felt the effects of overuse, it is easy to blame O'Dowd for not fielding a team that is capable of competing.

It has become apparent that changes do need to be made. Some would argue that change won't help anything, and it very well might not. However, at this point, whether or not the changes result in anything positive for the 2012 season or not, it will show fans--and possibly the team--that losing is unacceptable.

Colorado Rockies pick up win behind strong performance by Jamie Moyer

Jamie Moyer pitched and hit the Rockies to victory.

If the Colorado Rockies have any hope whatsoever, they have to have strong pitching performances from their starting rotation.

They got that from their oldest pitcher on Wednesday night at Coors Field. The Rockies emerged victorious against the Diamondbacks, winning in convincing fashion, 6-1. After a disappointing road trip that has left plenty of elbow room on the Rockies bandwagon, the team was in desperate need of a win to start the homestand.

"We played a very clean ballgame," manager Jim Tracy said. "The pitching, defense and hitting all combined for a very good night."

Jamie Moyer, pitching among the whispers of losing his spot in the rotation, answered the call for the Rockies. The 49-year-old gave the team 6-1/3 innings on the mound. He gave up six hits and only one run. He struck out five batters and walked two.

Colorado Rockies avoid disaster thanks to Marco Scutaro home run

Scutaro's first Rockies home run was a game winner.

A terrible road trip, one that has made nearly every believer jump off the bandwagon, ended with a bright spot on Tuesday night in San Francisco. The Colorado Rockies won 5-4, thanks to a 9th inning home run from Marco Scutaro, his first in a Rockies uniform.

The home run was an unexpected as it gets. The Giants had closer Santiago Casilla on the mound, who owns an ERA of 1.84 after the outing. The right-hander is filling in for the injured Brian Wilson, but has essentially made the injury a non-factor since taking over.

The home run came at the most opportune time for the struggling Rockies. There was no way to come back to Colorado without feeling like the trip was a disaster, but finishing it being swept twice by teams that are above them in the standings, and completing a road trip at 1-7 would have been a dagger to the team. 2-6 isn't much better, but it ends the skid and gives the team something to build on.

Of course, the Giants didn't go quietly. Rafael Betancourt gave up a single to Angel Pagan, then walked Brandon Crawford. With the tying run a base hit away, the Rockies closer was able to strike out pinch hitter Nate Schierholtz to end the game.

Predictable ending for Colorado Rockies in San Francisco

Friedrich was the lone bright spot on Monday.

Writing about the Colorado Rockies can be tough. When they head to the west coast, the games start late and end late. However, writing about this team is simple, especially on the west coast.

To find the words to say is easy. All it takes is looking at the previous years Rockies schedule, spotting when they were in San Francisco, copying the article, changing a few names, and then hitting "publish."

The script doesn't change. The Rockies offense is nowhere to be found. They may scratch out a run early, but the feeling the whole game is that the Giants or the Dodgers, insert whichever team is required, will find a way to take the lead late. The Rockies might get a few base runners late in the game, but the feeling that the big hit might fall, or the guy at the plate will fail to hit the ball in the air to score the runner from third base.

On Monday night the victim was Christian Friedrich, who is quickly showing that not only does he belong in the big leagues, but that he might be the most dependable pitcher the Rockies currently have in their rotation.

The lefty went seven strong innings. He gave up just one run on six hits. He pounded the strike zone, striking out 10 Giants while walking only one. His curveball was reminiscent of Barry Zito. Not the Zito who has pitched for the Giants, but the Zito who won the Cy Young award in 2002.

Despite being early, Colorado Rockies looking at a long season

The Rockies need a leader to step up and turn things around.

Does this look familiar to anyone else?

After a decent start, finishing April close to .500, the Colorado Rockies suddenly forgot how to play baseball.

This team was never expected to be phenomenal. No one was predicting them to walk away with the National League West. No one was expecting them to come out and win 100 games. However, with a lineup that is arguably one of the most powerful in the National League, the Rockies were thought of as a team that might just be able to compete.

The club came out pretty well. They weren't great, but they weren't bad in April. Despite a poor starting rotation, the club was showing fight and coming from behind to win baseball games. It was easy to be optimistic.

That optimism is long gone. As the Rockies hit the airport to head to their third and final destination in a disastrous road trip, most fans had jumped off the bandwagon. The way the club was playing, it seems like many of the players have jumped off the bandwagon as well.

Frustrating Colorado Rockies blow best career start by Juan Nicasio

Juan Nicasio was great on Saturday.

The other game going on in Los Angeles featured the Colorado Rockies and the hometown Dodgers. The focus should have been squarely on the basketball game.

On Saturday night, the Rockies offense couldn't support Juan Nicasio, blowing the best start of his young, courageous career. The offense allowed journeyman Aaron Harang to look like an ace, scoring just one run against him in eight innings. In the end, the Rockies lost 2-1.

As discouraging as this west coast trip has been for the Rockies, losing both three game series so far, Nicasio's outing has to be a huge encouragement. He went seven strong innings, giving up one run on five hits. The most impressive part of the outing was in the final line of the stat. The young right-hander struck out a Rockies season-high nine while walking none.

All night long Nicasio was pounding the strike zone. He worked the corners very well, hitting his spots. He pitched with no intimidation. He showed no fear in going after Matt Kemp and the rest of the Dodgers lineup that has been very tough for the Rockies to get out in previous seasons.

Common story continues for Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium

Is the Jamie Moyer experiment about to come to an end?

Same story, different year. If you've seen one Colorado Rockies game at Dodger Stadium over the years, you've seen them all.

The script usually remains the same. The Dodgers score a run or two early, while the Rockies get a few hits in the early going. It seems like the Rockies are right in it, like they might actually have a chance if they can just scratch a few runs out.

The Rockies bats usually go cold, but there is nothing to worry about because the Dodgers only have a run or two and really haven't threatened too much.

Then it happens. Suddenly the Dodgers get a couple of guys on base and then the unlikeliest of hitters comes through with a bloop double or a ball that finds a hole right in the perfect spot for a couple of guys to come around and score.

Suddenly a game that was within reach is now 5-0 and it is the 7th inning. At Dodger Stadium, with the Rockies history in that park, may as well be a 15-0 score.

The results year-in and year-out are almost maddening. It doesn't seem to make sense that a franchise, with as many different faces as have come and gone, seem to carry the same baggage into the west coast swing that happens three different times per season.

Christian Friedrich dazzles in his Major League debut

Friedrich impressed in his debut.

With the season hanging in the balance, the Colorado Rockies were forced to lean on a player who had never had his name on a Major League lineup card.

With as much pressure as can come in a early May start, Friedrich's debut went off without a hitch.

The former first round draft pick, who as late as last season was labeled a bust, pitched six strong innings, giving up just two runs, only one of which was earned. In those six frames he gave up five hits. The most important stat, however, was the strikeout to walk ratio. The lefty struck out a Rockies-season high seven batters, and walked only one.

The simple fact is that the Rockies have been struggling. A problem that could be brushed off as early season struggles was suddenly thrust into the spotlight when the starting pitchers blew leads of five runs and six runs on consecutive nights.

That, coupled with their expected ace, Jhoulys Chacin only missing out on a trip back to the minors because of an inflamed shoulder, suddenly showed just how serious the pitching issues are for this team.

On the verge of being swept for the second straight series, the Rockies got more than they could have hoped from their rookie. Mixing a 93 MPH fastball with a big bending curveball, Friedrich didn't seemed fazed by the extra set of seats that come with pitching in a Major League stadium.

Colorado Rockies offense nowhere to be found as Jim Tracy manages team out of win again

The Rockies lost another one thanks to Jim Tracy.

It has become an extremely common occurrence.

In the top of the 7th inning, in a 2-1 game, Jim Tracy elected to allow pitcher Alex White to lead off the frame. White was pitching well in his 2012 debut. He had given Tracy six strong innings and kept his team in the ballgame. However, he was as much of a guaranteed out as it gets in Major League Baseball.

The offense had just nine outs to work with, and an offense that has sputtered on the road, and had scored just two runs in the previous 18 innings. On a humid night at Petco Park where the air gets extremely heavy at night,  runs come at a premium.

Of course, White struck out for the first out of the inning.

So what's the big deal? It was the first out of the inning and it was only the 7th inning anyway. Of course, saying that the Rockies bullpen has been overused is as big of an understatement as can be made. So it makes some sense to try to extend the starter for another inning.

Colorado Rockies help is on the horizon as team loses fourth straight

Drew Pomeranz provided half of the offense in the Rockies loss.

The Colorado Rockies are a hard team to predict. They have the offensive firepower to win a bunch of games. They have a solid bullpen. Unfortunately, their starting pitchers leave much to be desired.

On Monday night in San Diego, the Rockies lost to the Padres 3-2.

After scoring eight runs on Friday night and nine runs on Saturday, the offense has been nearly non-existent the past two days, scoring two runs in each contest. Half of the offense came from the bat of rookie pitcher Drew Pomeranz, who hit is first career home run to left field in the top of the 3rd inning.

As exciting as hitting a home run may have been for Pomeranz, his night on the mound wasn't as much fun. In the previous half inning before launching the home run, the lefty was hit by a line drive from Edinson Volquez on the leg. He pitched through it, but ended up coming out of the game due to the injury tightening up.

Colorado Rockies swept at home by Atlanta Braves

Freddie Freeman is a Rockies-killer.

Was there anyone who thought it wouldn't go this way?

The Colorado Rockies had already blown the two games that they should have won in this series. They were due for a tough offensive day after pounding Atlanta's pitchers for two straight days, both in losing causes.

On Sunday, Juan Nicasio looked good, but then gave up a three run home run to Freddie Freeman, who feasts on Rockies pitching, and realistically, the day was over for the home team.

If the team couldn't win when they had a six run leads in each of the previous days, how could they be expected to win when they were down by three runs. It sounds pessimistic, but would anyone fault the offense if thoughts like that crept into their heads?

Colorado Rockies blow 6-run lead...again

It's time to make tough decisions with the pitching staff.

The Colorado Rockies, for the second day in a row, blew a six run lead which ended in a loss against the Atlanta Braves.

There are 162 games in a baseball season. By all accounts, that is a long year. Sometimes players go through the motions, sometimes managers go through the motions. So much goes into a baseball season. It is more than winning games, it is maneuvering a roster, dealing with nagging injuries, and using players in the correct situations.

With all of that to deal with, there are games that define a season.

Saturday's game certainly looked like that for the Rockies. Players in the clubhouse might say the right things. They might pretend like they feel that the pitching will come around.

Colorado Rockies failed by starting pitching once again in loss to Braves

Guillermo Moscoso couldn't hold a 5-0 lead on Friday.

It has become a recurring theme for the Colorado Rockies in 2012.

On Friday night, after being staked to a 5-0 lead against Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves, Rockies starter Guillermo Moscoso couldn't throw do enough to hold the Rockies lead. In fact, he couldn't do enough to make it out of the 5th inning.

"That was not a good starting performance," said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. "I can't sugar coat it."

The Rockies made no excuses in the offseason. They made it very clear that the talent that they had put so much stock into did not end up panning out the way they thought it would. That is why Dan O'Dowd and Co. went out and changed the clubhouse culture, getting veterans who could help win now while the talent on the farm developed.

That plan worked. Michael Cuddyer has been a huge weapon, both on offense, and as the fans saw on Friday night, on defense as well. Marco Scutaro and Ramon Hernandez have also proven to be positive additions for the Rockies.

Admit it, these Colorado Rockies are better than you expected

Michael Cuddyer has been a huge part of the Rockies success.

The Colorado Rockies went to Scottsdale, AZ with high hopes in February. However, those associated with the team were probably the only ones who gave them a fighting chance.

It was tough to blame the the fans for being a little cynical. After all, it was just one year ago that the Rockies were favorites to win the National League West. Many experts had them picked to go all the way to the World Series. The excitement of signing Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez masked the fact that they didn't get any better talent-wise from 2010 to 2011.

The excitement of the expert predictions fizzled as quickly with the realization that Ubaldo Jimenez was not himself, and then in May, Jorge De La Rosa went down with an elbow injury that would require Tommy John surgery.

Many fans were ready for an overhaul in the offseason. However, they were hoping that the overhaul would entail signing a big-name free agent or two. The Rockies signed a free agent, but Michael Cuddyer, a 33-year old outfielder, was not what Rockies fans were hoping for.

On top of not being in the CJ Wilson sweepstakes, the Rockies got rid of several fan favorites, including Ryan Spilborghs, Chris Iannetta, Seth Smith and Ian Stewart. While all four of those players had under performed, many fans were enamored with them, and hated to see them go.

Colorado Rockies walk off behind Jason Giambi's blast

Giambi provided the walk off blast to give the Rockies a big win.

Talk about drama.

Jason Giambi delivered a 3-run walk-off home run to straight away center field to give the Colorado Rockies a 8-5 win and a series victory over the first place Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field.

The home run came after the Rockies had clawed their way to an early lead behind home runs from Carlos Gonzalez and Wilin Rosario. The home runs came off of reigning National League Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, who had given up just one home run all year.

Giambi's walk-off came after the bullpen gave up the lead not once, but twice after Drew Pomeranz showed the afternoon crowd at Coors Field why the Rockies thought he was so special. The lefty went 6-2/3 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. He struck out five while walking four.

With the way the Rockies starters have been struggling, Pomeranz's performance was just what the team needed.

Bob Apodaca continues to escape criticism as Colorado Rockies starters struggle

When does Bob Apodaca start getting heat?

An exciting night at Coors Field on Tuesday night came to an end with the Colorado Rockies hottest hitter, Carlos Gonzalez, striking out to end the game, leaving the Rockies one run short.

Three innings earlier, the Rockies were down 7-0, struggling at the plate against lefty Ted Lilly, but more importantly, out of the game because of yet another poor performance from should-be ace Jhoulys Chacin.

The Venezuelan native looked terrible. He continues to struggle locating any of his pitches. On Tuesday, he gave up a leadoff home run to Dee Gordon, the shortstops first career home run. The route was on from there. Chacin gave up four runs before the Rockies came to the plate, then one more in the 3rd inning and two more in the 5th. All seven runs were earned, they came on 11 hits. Chacin also walked four while striking out three.

Despite the rough outing, the offense showed their character. They battled back and scored six runs despite being stymied by Lilly for five-plus innings. The offense has shown the attitude that they won't quit. They fight until the end, which is a great sign for Rockies fans.