Rockies lose game they had to have.

After splitting a four game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Rockies desperately needed to win the first game in New York against the Mets. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a solid seven innings giving up one run over four hits, walking four and striking out eight. Unfortunately, that one run was enough to defeat the Cy-Young candidate as the Mets won the game 1-0 behind a solid outing by Mike Pelfrey and a dominating performance by K-Rod in the 9th.

The thing that drives me crazy about the Rockies is their inability to have situational hitting. In the top of the 5th inning, Olivo hit a leadoff single. He then stole second and would have been out by two feet , but Reyes dropped the ball when Olivo slid into the tag. Nonetheless, we had a guy on second with no outs. Clint Barmes' only job should now be to move Olivo over to third with one out. Barmes ended up lining out to short stop and Olivo had to stay at second. This has been the theme for the Rockies all year long. They can’t do the little things that will put them into position to win. I understand that Jimenez was up next, but there is still a decent chance he could have got the run home. Odds are the Mets would have cut the run, but that opens up more holes for Jimenez to slap the ball through.

In the top of the 6th, Gonzalez hit a double to left off the wall with one out. By the way, I hate Citi Field.  Carlos would have had two home runs if the game was being played anywhere else. Tulo then grounded out to short and Hawpe grounded out to first to end the inning. A playoff caliber team, which the Rockies insist they are, gets the run home in that situation. You have your four and five hitters up with a pitcher who has been awful the last month and is over 100 pitches and you can’t score the run to give your Ace the lead?

The Rockies wasted a great performance from Jimenez who deserved to win his 18th game of the year. If the Rockies are going to avoid dropping the next two in New York, they are going to need situational hitting. You can’t count on the long ball at Citi Field. Go back to the basics and play smart, situational baseball!