SB Nation Denver - Rockies Vs. Mets: Colorado Finishes Off New York For 4-Game Sweep

Rockies Vs. Mets Final Score: Colorado Shuts Out New York, 1-0, To Complete Series Sweep

2012-08-23T20:30:35Z

The Colorado Rockies completed a four-game sweep of the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon by picking up a 1-0 victory. Chris Nelson's RBI single in the eighth inning was all the difference in the game.

Tyler Colvin started the inning with a triple and didn't need to waste much more time on the bases before scoring. Nelson came through with a single to center field in the next at-bat to break the scoreless tie. Bobby Parnell, as a result, took the loss for the Mets. He relieved rookie Collin McHugh, who struck out nine and allowed just two hits in seven innings during his major league debut.

Tyler Chatwood started the game for the Rockies, but he pitched just three innings before Adam Ottavino relieved him. Rex Brothers picked up his eighth after pitching two innings. Will Harris followed and Matt Belisle closed out the game, picking up his first save of the year.

The Rockies (50-73, 24-34 away) play an afternoon game (12:20 p.m. MT) against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Mets blog Amazin' Avenue. And for more news and notes from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Rockies Vs. Mets: Colorado Goes For Sweep In New York

2012-08-23T15:02:47Z

For the second straight season, the Colorado Rockies are on the verge of sweeping a four game series at Citi Field against the New York Mets. Last season, the story was shortstop Troy Tulowitzki homering four times during the series. This year, with Tulowitzki looking to rejoin the roster in September after missing most of the season due to a groin injury, it has been the young players for Colorado that have stepped up, with catcher Wilin Rosario and outfielder Tyler Colvin leading the charge.

The Rockies will turn to the youngest member of their rotation in the final game of the series as 22 year old Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 5.46) takes the mound. Chatwood enjoyed two wonderful starts on the last road trip -- only allowing a single earned run in 11 innings -- but slipped in his last start at Coors Field, allowing six earned runs against the Miami Marlins.

The Mets will send rookie pitcher Collin McHugh to the mound for his MLB debut. The 25 year old has pitched in both AA and AAA this season, maintaining a 2.88 ERA between the two levels.

First pitch is scheduled for 11:10am MT.

There is no television broadcast for this game, but it will be aired on 850 KOA.

Dexter Fowler Injury Update: Rockies CF Leaves On Crutches, X-Rays Negative

2012-08-23T04:01:38Z

The Colorado Rockies' Dexter Fowler sprained his ankle on Wednesday night against the New York Mets and had to leave the game in the fourth inning. X-rays came up negative, and Fowler said that he doesn't expect to spend any time on the DL, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

It's the same ankle that Fowler sprained in May in the Miami dugout. He left the game on crutches and will have to miss a few games.

"It doesn't feel good right now, but I knew it wasn't broken. I have sprained it plenty of times in basketball," said Fowler, whose X-Rays came back negative. "It's just one of those things that happens."
...
"It's tough. But the guys are playing amazing right now," said Fowler after the Rockies won for the 11th time in 16 games.

Renck says that the concern was about Fowler potentially straining his Achilles as well. If it's only an ankle sprain, consider the center fielder lucky.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Purple Row. For more MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Rockies Vs. Mets Score: Colorado Downs New York, 5-2, For 4th-Straight Win

2012-08-23T02:31:57Z

The Colorado Rockies defeated the New York Mets 5-2 on Wednesday night. Carlos Torres (2-1) picked up the win in New York as the Rockies scored four runs in the final three innings.

Rockies catcher Wilin Rosario kept the Rockies afloat until his teammates' bats were awakened. Rosario knocked Jonathan Herrera home with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth, then started the late-inning scoring barrage with a solo home run to open the seventh inning.

The Rockies posted the victory despite losing center fielder Dexter Fowler to injury with a sprained ankle in the fourth inning. No further update on his status is known at this time.

Colorado added insurance runs in the ninth inning when Tyler Colvin scored on a Chris Nelson single, who would later score on a Josh Rutledge double to right field.

Jeff Francis pitched five strong innings for the Rockies. Despite the no-decision, Francis gave up just one run while striking out four in the start. Reliever Ramon Ramirez (2-3) takes the loss for the Mets, and Rafael Betancourt picked up his 25th save on the year for Colorado.

The Rockies pick up the series win with three straight over the Mets and go for the series sweep tomorrow at 11:10 a.m. MT. Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 5.46 ERA) takes the hill for Colorado, facing off against the Mets' Collin McHugh (0-0).

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Purple Row. For more MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Dexter Fowler Injury Update: Rockies CF Has Sprained Ankle

2012-08-23T01:32:42Z

Colorado Rockies centerfielder Dexter Fowler was forced to leave Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets with an apparent ankle injury in the fourth inning.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post took to Twitter to report that Fowler sprained his right ankle on the play in question:

Fowler has sprained right ankle. ...If that's all it is, he would be lucky...
— Troy Renck, Rockies (@TroyRenck) August 23, 2012

Renck added that it looked worse than when Fowler turned his ankle on a stair in the dugout in Miami back in May.

The Rockies replaced Fowler in the lineup with infelder Jordan Pacheco, moving Tyler Colvin to centerfield.

Colorado currently leads 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, after scoring two runs in the top of the seventh to break a 1-1 tie.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Purple Row. And, for more MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Jason Giambi Injury Update: Rockies 1B To Join Troy Tulowitzki On Rehab Assignment

2012-08-23T01:08:39Z

Colorado Rockies first baseman Jason Giambi will join fellow injured teammate Troy Tulowitzki on a rehab assignment this Friday, according to Tracy Ringolsby.

Earlier today, it was reported that Tulowitzki would report to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers this weekend to start his assignment. Now, he'll be accompanied by the 41-year-old Giambi, who has posted a .241/.380/.329 batting line in 2012. Giambi injured his left quadriceps on July 23, which affected his chances of being dealt to a contender at the deadline.

Giambi, whose mutual option was exercised following the 2011 season, has just one home run this year in 100 plate appearances, after a solid 2011 season in which he hit 13 in just 152. Over the course of his 18-year career, Giambi has homered 429 times and has a lifetime .927 OPS.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Purple Row. And, for more MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Dexter Fowler Injury: Rockies CF Leaves Game After Turning Ankle

2012-08-23T00:34:34Z

Colorado Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler left Wednesday's game against the New York Mets in the fourth inning with an apparent ankle injury.

Fowler appeared to roll his ankle while heading into second base after singling and advancing on a throw to third. Infielder Jordan Pacheco was brought in as a pinch-runner to replace Fowler, who limped off the field while noticeably in pain. The Rockies trailed the Mets 1-0 when the injury occurred, but were able to tie the game two batters later.

Fowler, 26, is in the midst of a breakout season for the Rockies. Through Tuesday's action, he was hitting .306/.392/.499 in 435 plate appearances. The Rockies have dealt with numerous injuries during the 2012 season; among others, star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki hasn't played since May 30 while dealing with hip and groin injuries, and first baseman Todd Helton is out for the season following hip surgery.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Purple Row. And for more MLB coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

Rockies Vs. Mets Lineups: Carlos Gonzalez Returns From Bereavement Leave; Guillermo Moscoso Optioned to AAA

2012-08-22T21:39:54Z

Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is back in the lineup on Wednesday after missing four games following the death of his grandfather. He will play left field and hit in the cleanup spot as the Rockies look to win a road series over the New York Mets after taking the first two games of the set.

The Rockies are 3-1 in CarGo's absence, with the only loss coming on Saturday vs. the Miami Marlins at Coors Field. To accommodate the All-Star slugger's return, the Rox optioned Guillermo Moscoso to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Here are the full lineups:

Rockies:

1. Charlie Blackmon RF
2. Jonathan Herrera SS
3. Dexter Fowler CF
4. Carlos Gonzalez LF
5. Wilin Rosario C
6. Tyler Colvin 1B
7. Chris Nelson 3B
8. DJ LeMahieu 2B
9. Jeff Francis P

Mets:

1. Ruben Tejada SS
2. Ronny Cedeno 2B
3. David Wright 3B
4. Scott Hairston RF
5. Ike Davis 1B
6. Jason Bay LF
7. Andres Torres CF
8. Kelly Shoppach C
9. Matt Harvey P

First pitch is scheduled from Citi Field at 5:10 p.m. MT.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to visit Purple Row. Additional Mets coverage can be found at Amazin' Avenue, while Baseball Nation is the place for all things MLB.