Rox/Bux Series

[RockieBill]

Friday: Rockies (Mike Hampton, 10-8, 4.97) vs. Pirates (Jimmy Anderson, 6-10, 4.78), Coors Field, 7:05 p.m. KWGN-Channel 2. KOA-AM (850).

Saturday: Rockies (Shawn Chacon, 6-5, 5.22) vs. Pirates (Todd Ritchie, 7-10, 4.05), Coors Field, 6:05 p.m. KWGN-Channel 2. KOA-AM (850).

Sunday: Rockies (Bohanon, 5-6, 6.57) vs. Pirates (Dave Williams, 1-3, 4.30), Coors Field, 1:05 p.m. KWGN-Channel 2. KOA-AM (850), KMXA-AM (1090-AM).

[GiveHyzduashot]

Friday's game should be interesting. Anderson is a ground ball pitcher and so is Hampton. Anderson lives and dies on the ground ball.

The last time the Pirates went against Chacon, they lit him up for like eight runs. And that was at PNC. Should be interesting to watch from my perspective, but it may be rough for you, RockieBill. :P

Dave Williams is a rookie and doesn't seem to be phased by much, but who knows how Coors will effect him. He's a pitcher who won't strike anyone out, but he will be effective. He's 1-3 but gets no run support.

Should be a fun series.

[pmeares17]

yeah it will be interesting since both the rockies and the pirates stink right now. i tend to think the bucs will take 2-3 ritchie and williams have been steadily improving ;)

[RockieBill]

I sure was hoping earlier in the season that this series might have something on the line for both teams, but no such luck. With three rookies playing up the middle (Pierre, Ortiz and Uribe) for the Rockies, I'm not expecting much. Hampton has been better at home so far, but I don't know what to expect anymore. We'll probably see a couple four hour games with about 20 pitching changes. Such is life in Denver. Tomorrow's game is the only one I'm going to be at.

On a lighter note, in four starts since the All Star break, Chacon has gone 2-0 with a 2.25 earned-run average. He also failed to earn a decision in a 2-1 loss at San Francisco on July 19, when Acevedo gave up two runs with two out in the bottom of the ninth after Chacon worked seven shutout innings. Lately, he's been our best (realatively speaking) pitcher.

[RockieBill]

Interesting game, alright. Anderson got his ground balls, only they screamed past Wilson and Meares most of the time. Hampton tried to lose it in the first, but the Rockies' bats woke up, for once.

Rockies 12, Pirates 7
M Hampton (W, 11-8)
J Anderson (L, 6-11)

Game Recap (http://rockies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/col/news/col_news_story.jsp?GXHC_gx_session_id_=761f3d2d89e 6176d&GXHC_servergroup=1079&article_id=col_20010803_recap_news&team_id=col#box)

[GiveHyzduashot]

That's interesting about Chacon. In the beginning of the year he pitched well then he tailed off towards June and July. Now he's picking it back up again.

Yeah, Anderson got his ground balls, only problem was most landed in the outfield. Meares killed them with that bad throw on the double play and when he should have covered first base on Pierre's single, which led to a run. That's 5 or 6 runs. Oh well.

[RockieBill]

I went to the game last night (Saturday). Same ol' Rox - couldn't buy a clinch hit or run. I didn't see the game today (spent the day drownin' worms and guttin' fish), but from what I've read, they had plenty of chances.

I hope the Bucs have a good series w/the Dodgers. At least they're playing like they don't want to finish at the bottom of the division, unlike a certain Colorado team.

[GiveHyzduashot]

Today's game was sloppy on both sides. For the Pirates, Meares had two errors that led to at least one run. The Rockies starting centerfielder, Mark Little, threw a ball home that shouldn't have been thrown, so Kendall I think it was took the extra base and eventually scored. Then Pierre did the same thing later on.

Todd Helton had a gift wrapped triple play handed to him, but he didn't see Ramirez was down. Adam Hyzdu lined the ball to third base, Cirillo threw over to first to double off the runner, and Ramirez was dead in his tracks at second. He fell and never got back up, figuring he was going to be out. Of course, the next batter, Keith Osik, hit a single and Ramirez scored.

Good luck against the Cubs.