Indians-Rockies: Cleveland's Offense Sputters, Rockies Win Again

The legend of Coors Field, and the ability to generate tons of offense in the high altitude is definitely lost on Cleveland and its fans. If Cleveland fans stayed up late last night, it wasn’t to watch the Indians' offense.

Jeff Francis pitched six strong innings against a weak Indians offense, giving up one run on five hits and striking out two. Francis bested lefty counterpart Aaron Laffey, who also went six, giving up three earned runs, eight hits, and three walks. He only struck out one batter. Both starters were the pitchers of record—Francis earning the win while Laffey was saddled with the loss.

The Rockies can sweep the series with a win Thursday night. 

Colorado opened up a 2-0 lead through five innings. They then matched each Indian run to maintain their margin of victory for the rest of the game. 

Jason Grilli and Taylor Buchholz each earned a hold, and Brian Fuentes rang up save No. 12 for Colorado.

Rafael Betancourt pitched two innings in relief for the Indians, surrendering an insurance run after Cleveland and cut their deficit to 3-2.

The Rockies' first run came on a pair of doubles. The first two-bagger came off the bat of Jeff Baker. After Chris Iannetta was hit by a pitch, Omar Quintanilla plated Baker with a double of his own.

In the fourth, Baker crossed the plate again, this time on his own accord, homering to left on a 2-2 count.

The Indians opened up the top of the sixth with an automatic out from pitcher Aaron Laffey. Grady Sizemore was then hit by a pitch; he scored all the way from first on the ensuing Jamey-Carroll double.

With the Tribe now within one, Ben Francisco flied out, moving Carroll to third.  Ryan Garko, the second batter to get hit in the inning, took first base. Shortstop Jhonny Peralta then squandered a golden opportunity to tie the game, instead flying out to end the inning.

That darn Baker guy ended up crossing the plate for a third time after he reached base on a fielder’s choice, stole second, and was singled home by Quintanilla.

The Indians once again made the game a one-run affair in the top of the seventh. Casey Blake led off the inning with a single. David Dellucci came on to pinch-hit for Gutierrez and struck out. Kelly Shoppach walked, and Shin-Soo Choo pinch-hit for Laffey. Blake and Shoppach then each advanced a base on a passed ball.

So, with one out, the Indians were poised again for a big hit to tie the game.  Choo did plate Blake with a sacrifice fly. But, after Sizemore was intentionally walked, Carroll struck out. Yet another opportunity blown.

The Rockies regained their two-run lead on a Taveras infield single, a stolen base, a throwing error on the play that moved Taveras to third, and a sac-fly by Spilborghs. Although Betancourt gave up a run, he pitched well and the run should not have scored.

That ended the scoring on the night. The Rockies won the second of three.

The finale is Thursday night. Jeremy Sowers will face Jorge De La Rosa. Game time is 9:05. 

De La Rosa is coming off his best start of the year, but still sports a 6.89 ERA on the season and a 1-3 record. Sowers is 0-1 with a 7.23 ERA. For the second night in a row, it will be lefty against lefty.