Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies fell in the series opener to the San Diego Padres Thursday night at Coors Field. A one-run loss in the 12th inning is only the tip of the iceberg in the tough luck night the Rockies endured.
This game was thick with juicy subplots, all of which had the potential to make up a post game article of their own. The only problem was that each of storylines within the main theme of the game never quite panned out for the Rockies.
Take for instance the Todd Helton pinch hit in the sixth inning. A long ball from the longtime Rockies first baseman would have been enough for a Rockies victory, fodder for a great storyline. Instead, Cameron Maybin grabbed Helton’s towering shot against the wall in center field, ending the inning.
In maybe an even bigger storyline, Manny Corpas, the Rockies closer during the 2007 World Series season, took the mound in extra innings after returning from Tommy John’s surgery. Corpas held the Padres scoreless in the 11th inning despite a leadoff drive by Maybin that deflected off Eric Young Jr.’s glove for a three-bag error. Corpas gunned Maybin down at home two batters later, keeping the score tied.
In the bottom of the inning Corpas had his first career sac bunt, putting the Rockies into scoring position and himself in position for the win, but a hard-hit shot by EYJ was corralled by Maybin, ending the inning. Corpas took the loss on the night.
The storyline most will read and hear about tomorrow is that of the blown call at home plate, where Wilin Rosario made the replay-verified tag on Jedd Gyorko before he scored. Or you’ll hear about the obvious blown call by Ed Hickox at first base when Arenado’s throw easily beat Yasmani Grandal and should have ended the Padres’ scoring threat in the 12th. Instead Grandal was called safe, and the Padres eventually won.
Of course, had the Rockies taken advantage of the many opportunities they had in the game, the blown calls would have been irrelevant.
The Rockies certainly had their chances. Instead, the only storylines written were another tough outing for Jhoulys Chacin, who just hasn’t been himself since returning from the DL, the thorn in the team’s side that was Maybin, and the bitter taste left in the mouths of the Rockies and their loyal fan base after losing a game they should have won easily.
Jim Heath is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_heath, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
