Ethier extends hit streak to 29 games (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 May 2011 11:22:27 PM. © MLB News Blog

Andre Ethier of the Los Angeles Dodgers has extended his hitting streak to 29 games. Ethier lined a 1-2 pitch from Chicago Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster just beyond the leaping attempt of rookie second baseman Darwin Barney and into right field with one out in the fourth inning. The hit was Ethier’s eighth in 21 [...]

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Jays Bautista likely out until weekend (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 May 2011 11:20:29 PM. © MLB News Blog

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game against Tampa Bay because of neck spasms. Bautista underwent an MRI exam Tuesday that showed no structural issues, but is not expected to play in the three-game series with the Rays. “Probably a few days away from him getting [...]

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Game 29 Overflow Thread #2 - Game still tied

post from Royals Review on 03 May 2011 11:01:43 PM. © Royals Review

Game 29 Overflow Thread #2 - Game still tied

It is becoming a

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

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-tied

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Fan Confidence and Underperforming Stars

post from Purple Row on 03 May 2011 11:01:42 PM. © Purple Row

DENVER, CO - MAY 01: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies is caught in a rundown by third baseman Pedro Alvarez #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field on May 1, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Pirates defeated the Rockies 8-4. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

As we continue into the month of May, the Rockies are sitting at a nice healthy 17-9 record with a 4 game lead on the NL West. The Rockies have never had an April as strong as they did, and yet the commentary seems to be focusing on the players that aren't doing what they should be doing.

For example, Jose Lopez has been basically a guaranteed out in the lineup with a few exceptions, but his .149/.171/.243 Line (.188 wOBA, 2 wRC+ - yeah, 2. I know.) line is being outperformed by Esmil Rogers and Jorge De La Rosa. He's been the subject of many a debate, arguing BABIP vs Lousy Contact.

Another such player is Ryan Spilborghs, who has been uninspiring to say the least in 2011 after being one of the few positive batters in the Rockies lineup in 2010.

Felipe Paulino and Franklin Morales have also taken their share of flak based on their career numbers and a few poor outings.

Thing is, these guys are backup players, why is there such an effort to try and poke holes in a 17-9 club?

The fact is, fans aren't being distracted at the moment. By distracted, I don't mean by the Nuggets or Broncos or whatever. I mean it's because the big boys aren't doing much at the moment.

Over the past 14 games, Troy Tulowitzki has batted .250/.270/.361 with nary a homer. Carlos Gonzalez put up a paltry .138/.235/.207. Ubaldo Jimenez made 2 starts, totaled 9 innings, and posted a 7.20 ERA in that timeframe.

When your centers of attention are out sorts, it results in 2 very different situations: some fans basically saying "Ubaldo sucks now, they won't last" and vague criticisms of that nature; other fans saying "Well, that's why the Rockies are such a great team - they're deep, they have a lot of quality players to pick it up when the top isn't performing". This'll negatively affect those groups in the form of apathy for the former and an overevaluation of the depth for the latter. The former fan was somewhat fickle anyhow, and just went and did something else. The latter begins to notice the deficiencies in the depth and poke holes in the team's relative success.

When Tulowitzki and Cargo and Ubaldo are performing, they draw all of the attention, and not just from the Coors Faithful, but from the naysayers trying to poke their own holes. When the stars aren't producing, all of the glaring flaws in the backups becomes far more evident.

While I don't see it as the end of the world to have doubters a month in, it's a bit difficult to plead your case to the short of attention span and those overly negative.

I guess all you can really say is PEOPLE! THE ROCKIES ARE 17-9! ENJOY THIS LEAD!

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Huff homers in 10th as Giants beat Mets (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 May 2011 10:56:27 PM. © MLB News Blog

Aubrey Huff ended an 0-for-20 slump with a leadoff homer in the 10th inning and the San Francisco Giants snapped out of their offensive slumber, beating the New York Mets 7-6 on Tuesday night. Nate Schierholtz homered for the Giants, who had lost eight of 11. The defending World Series champions, shut out three times [...]

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Giants 7 Mets 6 May 3, 2011

post from The Mets Report on 03 May 2011 10:54:23 PM. © The Mets Report

The Mets and Giants went back and forth exchanging the lead throughout the game. R.A. Dickey wasn’t very sharp at all again. He went 6 innings and gave up 6 runs. He hasn’t looked like the guy that was unstoppable last season. The Mets had some good offense going tonight with 11 hits and leaving ... Continue Reading

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Twins Liriano no-hits White Sox (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 May 2011 10:52:23 PM. © MLB News Blog

Francisco Liriano pitched the major leagues’ first no-hitter of the season, throwing his first career complete game in the Minnesota Twins’ 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Liriano (2-4) walked six and struck out two, throwing 123 pitches in the 95th major league start for the 27-year-old left-hander.

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Hamels shuts down Nats in Werths return (AP)

Cole Hamels was more impressed with his performance at the plate on a night when he went the distance. Hamels pitched a five-hitter, Raul Ibanez doubled twice as he stopped an 0-for-35 slump and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 4-1 on Tuesday night. Hamels chipped in offensively with two hits, including a triple.

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Astros score 6 in 4th, roll past Reds (AP)

Left-hander J.A. Happ singled home a run during Houston’s six-run fourth inning — its biggest of the season — and the Astros beat the Reds 10-4 on Tuesday night, leaving Cincinnati with its first losing record in nearly a year. The defending NL Central champs fell to 14-15, the first time they’ve been below .500 [...]

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