The stretch run
August 1st, 2014
W - 49 / L - 54 / GB - 13
It may not be the end of the season yet for many teams but for the Rockies at 5 games under .500 it is time to step up or go home. The team went 13-14 in the month of July although on a good note they did send 2 players to the All-Star game, SP Brandon Beachy (12-5 2.51 ERA) and C Wilin Rosario (.323/.355/.573 22 HR 74 RBI). The team also got a few players back from the DL including 2B Kolten Wong, LF Carlos Gonzalez and Closer Rafael Betancourt. Carlos Gonzalez finished the month on the DL again though for 2 weeks with a lat strain, he has only played in 69 of the team 103 games this season and they need him as he is hitting .309.
The team made 2 trades before the deadline to infuse more talent into their team
Trade #1 - During the all-star break the team traded 2B Kolten Wong (.245 4 HR 24 RBI), SP Felix Doubront (2-11 5.64 ERA) and minor league 3B Samuel Mende to the Kansas City Royals. In return they got rookie SP Ryan Verdugo who was 8-3 with a 2.58 ERA for the Royals this season and selected to the All-Star game.
Trade #2 - The team said goodbye to one of the local favorites and frustrations in CF Dexter Fowler (.190 2 HR 25 RBI) as well as 26 year old minor league SP Edwar Cabrera to the Toronto Blue Jays. In return they got 23 year old minor league RP Marcus Stroman who was a top 100 prospect this year and also got RP Aaron Loup who has pitched 90 innings for Toronto the last 2 years with a 3.02 ERA.
To replaced Wong at 2B Wilmer Flores was recalled from AAA and Fowler had already lost his starting spot to Tim Wheeler.
Top Team Performances
MLB Hitter - SS Troy Tulowitzki - .380/.422/.657 8 HR 20 RBI
MLB Pitcher - SP Jorge De La Rosa - 3-1 1.57 ERA 0.87 WHIP
AAA Hitter - RF Jorge Soler - .371/.419/.598 5 HR 21 RBI
AAA Pitcher - SP Josh Outman - 3-1 2.89 ERA 1.34 WHIP
AA Hitter - LF Rafael Ortega - .325/.401/.492 2 HR 24 RBI
AA Pitcher - RP Tyler Gagnon - 12.2 IP 1.42 ERA 0.95 WHIP