Manager Black keeps faith during drought
SAN DIEGO» Despite the typical sunny weather Saturday night at Petco Park, it felt like the clouds were just hovering overhead for the Rockies. Statistically and record-wise, Colorado remains mired in one of the worst prolonged stretches in team history.
Since June 21, which began a series of three consecutive walk-off losses to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Rockies are now 12-31 after Saturday’s 8-5 loss. That equates to a .279 percentage, which would play out to a 45-117 record over a 162-game schedule.
During that time, Colorado’s pitchers overall posted a 6.24 ERA, and its relievers allowed 45 percent of inherited runners to score.
On the offensive side, things have not been much better during that stretch. The Rockies are slashing .257/.310/.435 while averaging 4.4 runs per contest.
Colorado manager Bud Black is well aware of the frustration among his players. He is also aware of what would solve it.
“What diffuses it is guys getting some hits and relaxing, pitchers making pitches and ultimately getting some wins,” Black said. “Through that, however, you can still enjoy this game through the competition. Sometimes it’s hard to win a game. We’re going through that stretch now where it’s hard for us. It’s been a long stretch of hard.”
Black is standing by his players and believes that good things are still to come in a season when a third consecutive postseason berth is virtually impossible.
“Our group is such that we’ve come out of it before,” Black said. “The last couple of years, we’ve had some bad stretches, we’ve come out of it. Earlier in the year, we had a bad stretch and we came out of it. This is a little bit of a longer one.
“I don’t know when we’re going to come out, but we’re going to come out of it.”
Colorado’s bullpen received reinforcement Saturday when Carlos Estevez returned to the team after the birth of his first daughter. In a corresponding move, reliever Sam Howard was optioned to Triple-a Albuquerque.
Estevez was placed on the family medical emergency leave list Sunday when his wife began to have medical issues with her pregnancy. After an emotional day Sunday, Estevez welcomed his daughter, Samantha, into the world Monday. Mother and daughter are doing well, Estevez said.
The 26-year-old right-hander said the experience of the last few days was more nerve-wracking than any moment he has had on the mound.
“I was more nervous than scared. Doctors were telling what could happen or not happen,” Estevez said. “This is a lot to have in your head. Things are going great, and all of a sudden, things change. They kept talking to me about the bad things that could happen. When I was away, I just tried to calm down.”
Estevez credited Colorado head trainer Keith Dugger and Black for their constant communication and support during the last week.
“Doogie (Dugger) and Buddy told me to take care of my family,” Estevez said. “It’s good to know I’m back and that my family is healthy.”