Rockies Downed by KC 8-4

Ya know, I’m a LOYAL fan -and most of the time I’m patient and understanding. However, with Jeff Frances I’m quickly losing my patience. Clint Hurdle must have the patience of St. Peter with him though. In my emotional ‘fan’ opinion, something needs done with Frances until he gets back on his feet.

Yes, yes, I KNOW he’s had some quality outings. I KNOW he had a good ERA against American League teams. I KNOW he was a big part of how far we got last year. But, DANGIT, he’s not consistent – at ALL – this year!

Now, the question is, do we have someone to temporarily replace him with in the rotation? Would that someone be even less consistent? And, of course, what does Hurdle know or see that I don’t? I do believe Frances has the potential and the talent to be a solid pitcher. But his outings this year, for the most part, are such that not many offensive teams could overcome the deficits he allows. And, truth be told, I’m a fan first – I want my team to win.

Can Frances help us win? Oh, heck yes – he’s done it in the past, he’s even done it this year. And although I don’t expect a pitcher to win every game, I don’t want to feel like we’re playing Russian Roulette whenever he goes to the mound. I have faith in him to work this out, I really do. I just don’t want to watch the painful games the Rockies end up in while he does it. Yeah, I know, I’m a wuss lol.

However, on the bright side, I’m impressed with Clint Barmes’ level of defensive play now that he’s returned off of the DL, Baker continues to impress me and Tulo – well, defensively the man is a Near-God (altho he did have a couple of double clutches last night). Tulo offensively? Not too great – yet. But he’ll get it on track, I have faith .

Helton – he’s struggling at the plate and shining in the field. He, too, will get back on track – he always does. That man is one of the most steady, solid players in baseball – again in my humble opinion.

But for now, the kiddos (Jimenez, De La Rosa, for example) are showing up Frances – and even though I don’t envy Frances’ state of mind right now – he needs to find SOME way to pull it together and keep a lid on the opposing offense so his team has a prayer of winning games he pitches.

I’m so glad I’m a fan and not a manager – the decisions these guys face can boggle the mind.

‘Nuff from me – here’s the recap of last night’s game.

KANSAS CITY — Jeff Francis was the one the Rockies could count on. He’d been a sure thing in Interleague Play, especially this year.

Check the numbers. Francis came into Monday’s 8-4 loss to the Royals boasting a 3.90 ERA in 14 appearances against American League teams. He had just given up one run against Cleveland a week ago.

Now check his numbers against the Royals — 1.88 ERA in two appearances before Monday.

With that pedigree, it seemed Francis would’ve rolled, but the opposite happened as Colorado lost the series opener at Kauffman Stadium with Francis lasting just 4 1/3 innings and giving up four runs in the first.

“I just let things get out of hand,” he said.

Some problems don’t go away. Francis and the Rockies found that out Monday night. In recent games, Francis had ditched his first-inning problem, the one that bothered him throughout the beginning of this season. He’d given up 15 first-inning runs in his first 13 appearances but none in his last two starts.

All the bad memories came back on Monday, maybe worse. Francis got shelled. It started with a leadoff triple by David DeJesus, who scored on a Mike Aviles double. When Mark Teahen belted a three-run homer after Francis walked a batter then got two outs, it was 4-0.

Article continued here

NEXT GAME 6/24 vs. KC Royals @ Kauffman Stadium, 6:10PM MDT

TV: FSN | RADIO: KOA 850