Rox Weekly Recap: 4/6-4/12

As my schedule here in Potomac starts to heat up with the start of the Minor League baseball season, my posts here on Bleacher Report may be fewer and farther between. 

Never fear, my fellow Rockies' followers, as I will do my damnedest to post this weekly recap of the Rockies.

And off we go...

4/6-4/12

Record:  3-3

What Went Right

The offense, seen as the team's serious strength heading into the season, has answered the bell in the season's opening week. 

When the Rockies wake up Monday morning, they will be leading the majors in home runs (12) and the National League in runs scored (39).  Though it's still early, the 2009 Rockies have been evoking some of the offensive swagger once possessed by the Blake Street Bombers of the mid-90s.

Ryan Spilborghs is hitting .346 and is tied with his teammate Brad Hawpe for the league lead in doubles (5). 

Tulo appears to have regained his 2007 form by mashing three home runs in his first six games.  By comparison, Tulo didn't slug his third tater in 2008 until July 2.  Tulo is also showing a rejuvenated discipline at the plate as evidenced by his .440 on base percentage and three-walk game Tuesday against hurler Doug Davis.

Clint Barmes is hitting .316 with a homer and three RBI.

Ian Stewart is forcing his way into the lineup with his .455 average in limited duty.  He's also clubbed a home run and knocked in four in only 11 at-bats on the year.

But the real star poised to break into the national consciousness is center field wunderkind Dexter Fowler.

Not only does the kid cover more ground in center than Magellan on a Red Bull-bender, he's demonstrated both power and poise in his first real chance to perform in the big leagues.

The switch-hitter swatted a lead-off homer on the first pitch he saw from lefty Doug Davis in Wednesday's game against the D-Backs and blasted a 405-foot moonshot into the Rockies' bullpen in right-center off right-hander Chan Ho Park in Sunday's tilt with the Phils. 

Fowler is hitting .385 and has also stolen a base.  No disrespect to Seth Smith, but a lineup with Dexter leading off and Spilly manning left field gives the Rockies their best chance for a victory on any given day.

On the pitching side, the performances of Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales, and Jason Marquis were stellar to say the least.

Jimenez's seven inning shutout gem on Tuesday was followed by Morales' Redemption Special on Wednesday in which the southpaw twirled a beautiful six inning outing, giving up one run and striking out six. 

Marquis, in his Colorado debut, threw seven innings giving up two runs and largely shut down a powerful Philly attack in the home opener on Friday afternoon.

What Went Wrong

Coming into the season, catcher Chris Iannetta was largely seen as an ideal candidate for a breakout season after his solid, if not spectacular performance last year and his subsequent selection to Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Heading into Monday's game with the Cubbies, Netta is hitting a minuscule .071 with his one hit being a 441-foot atomic bomb off Brandon Webb in Monday's season opener. 

Netta will get his chances to break out of his hitting doldrums as one week does not a season make.  When he hits his offensive stride, look out.

The bullpen, seemingly fortified by the additions of closer Huston Street and veterans Alan Embree and Jason Hammel, absorbed two losses in the season's opening week.  Jason Grilli took the hook on Monday night allowing Chad Tracy's go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, but he's been one of the more solid options in Clint Hurdle's opening-week arsenal.

Given a 5-3 lead in the eighth inning on Sunday, Manny Corpas, who had conjured up images of his 2007 self so far in '09, allowed a Chase Utley two-run shot to tie and Streeter gave up the go-ahead runs on a two-run blast to pinch-hitter Matt Stairs in the ninth. 

Not a great way to end what was overall a successful week for Hurdle's bullpen hurlers.

Aaron Cook had one of the worst outings of his career on an Opening Day in which he allowed six runs in just 2 1/3 innings against Arizona.  He rebounded some on Sunday going six innings and giving up only three runs.

Drew and George were explaining how the Rockies have stopped handling youngsters Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales, and Jorge de la Rosa with "kid gloves" meaning there will be no more coddling these players if they don't succeed.  At a certain point, there's nothing more you can do as coaches.  If the players can't find it within themselves to perform at a high level, you may have to cut them loose.

Jimenez and Morales responded with aplomb by giving up a combined one earned run in 13 innings.

De la Rosa unfortunately displayed the same ol', same ol'.

Rosie has worked ad nauseum to control his emotions on the mound and not let a little event like a bad call or error send him into a tailspin in which he cannot right his ship.

On Saturday, after breezing through 2 2/3 brilliant innings, Garrett Atkins made a diving stop of a ground ball by Jimmy Rollins but threw wildly to first, extending the inning.

Instead of brushing it off, the next four hitters went single, walk, three-run double, walk and the Rox suddenly found themselves in a 3-2 hole.  De la Rosa never found his rhythm again, giving up five runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Another outing like his last and de la Rosa might find himself in the bullpen or, quite possibly, with another team.