Tsao, Rockies show signs of legitimacy
Helton homer the big blow
AP
The Phillies' Marlon Byrd follows through on a solo home run to lead off the
game on a pitch from Chin-Hui Tsao. It was the only run Tsao gave up in six
innings.
By Troy E. Renck, Denver Post Sports Writer
The Rockies are the Little Team That Could. That's because when they are
discussed around the water cooler or on the radio - between soliloquies about
the Broncos' depth chart - the most frequently used word is could.
As in: Larry Walker, if healthy, could hit 25 homers; or the kid starting
pitchers, if more consistent, could spur a long winning streak; or Preston
Wilson could be an MVP candidate if his team makes the playoffs.
But that's the problem with the Rockies. They aren't what they could be, which
is why Wednesday night's 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors
Field was so important.
Matchup
A year ago, Denny Stark (1-0, 6.03 ERA) posted the lowest home ERA by a Rockies
starter. This season, he has a 9.22 ERA in three starts at Coors Field. The
Rockies have worked with Stark on throwing through the catcher's glove after
noticing he was cutting off his pitches too soon. Kevin Millwood (11-7, 3.76)
mauled the Rockies on April 22 in Philadelphia and is 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA at
Coors Field. Preston Wilson, however, has hit four homers off Millwood, and
Larry Walker owns a .522 batting average against him.
For one night, the Rockies were what they have long professed: a club deserving
of being taken seriously. The legitimacy began on the mound. Chin-Hui Tsao, in
his most impressive start, demonstrated why he took a direct flight from
Double-A to the big leagues. After a wobbly beginning - leadoff hitter Marlon
Byrd homered - the 22-year-old right-hander retired the last 10 batters he
faced.
"I want to pitch perfectly, and sometimes I rush a little bit," Tsao said
through a translator after surrendering just two hits in six innings. "But
after a base hit, I know to slow down and correct myself and concentrate on my
mechanics."
Fundamental mistakes again prepared to haunt the Rockies if not for first
baseman Todd Helton. In the fifth inning, Ronnie Belliard failed on a sacrifice
bunt and Charles Johnson inexplicably didn't tag up from second base on a deep
flyball to center. Such gaffes were at the root of the Rockies' most recent
road trip of cringes. But nobody was talking about them afterward because of
Helton's latest powerful swing.
Even though the Phillies have shown a reluctance to throw him as much as a
strike, Helton blasted his 24th homer in the fifth, punishing starter Brandon
Duckworth for a previous throwing error. It was Helton's biggest hit of the
season because of the opponent. The Rockies trail the Phillies by 6 1/2 games
in the National League wild-card standings - on the verge of falling six feet
under.
Stumble Wednesday and nothing short of Harry Potter wizardry would be required
for the Rockies to remain in the race.
"These are big games, no doubt about it," Helton said. "When you are (6 1/2)
behind, you can't go out and get swept by the team ahead of you in August. It
doesn't work that way."
This has been a different year for Helton. While his numbers are reminiscent of
his previous monster seasons in 2000 and '01, it's as if the soon-to-be
30-year-old has inflicted damage with a paper mallet. He has caused havoc in
whispers, playing Lou Gehrig to Wilson's Babe Ruth.
Helton is an iron man, refusing to take a day off. Wilson has a similar
approach, but his flair for the spectacular makes him a magnet for highlights.
Helton's numbers, however, are a reflection of his consistency: .354 average,
24 homers and 93 RBIs.
"What impresses me most," Wilson said, "is that he's able to get hits and get
on base even when he doesn't have his 'A' swing working. That takes a special
hitter."
As the Rockies try to compete and evaluate during the final two months, the
most important goal is the maturation of a young rotation. Tsao looked
overmatched in his last start, a pummeling at the hands of the Reds when he
gave himself an "F" grade.
His problems were remedied against the Phillies. Showing the control that
earned him a promotion, Tsao walked just three and lived ahead in the count and
down in the zone after the third inning, even mixing in a sinker.
"He kicked into another gear out there," Helton said. "He's very competitive.
His whole demeanor, he's fun to play behind. He went right after people, and
I think we fed off him."
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