Rockies turn to Morales with Street closed down
| September 3, 2009 | 9:04 AM
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While one of the newest Colorado Rockies, Jason Giambi, was celebrating his go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning of an eventual 5-2 Rockies win Wednesday, a potentially serious drama was playing out in the bullpen.
Rockies closer Huston Street, who has blown one save in 34 opportunities this season and has consistently allowed his team to play eight-inning games, was experiencing tightness in his shoulder. Later we learned it was biceps tendonitis, which Street first felt in Tuesday’s 8-3 win when he pitched the final three outs in a non-save situation.
Street doesn’t know how long he will be out, and there’s a chance that if the Rockies had only a one-run lead Tuesday, Street would have been in the game. The Rockies and their closer will have to wait out the inflammation, which could be a few days or a few weeks.
The Rockies would not be where they are without Street and if he’s gone for the rest of the season — which seems unlikely — then the season might be shorter than the Rockies hope. But what played out in the top of the ninth, should give the Rockies a boost of confidence. Franklin Morales dispatched the Mets in order with 12 pitches for his first major-league save.
The loss of Street, whatever its length, is not the same as the loss of, say, Ubaldo Jimenez or Troy Tulowitzki. Street pitches one inning a game and almost exclusively in games the Rockies are already winning. He has locked down games with more regularity and security than any closer in Rockies history. But if the Rockies don’t continue to do the things they’ve done the last two nights — starters pitching well and hitters delivering frequent and key hits — then it doesn’t matter who is pitching the ninth inning. Morales and Rafael Betancourt — their tag-team meltdown Sunday against the Giants notwithstanding — can hold down the closer role until Street is back.
Journals, Sports, Steve Foster
colorado rockies, franklin morales, huston street, rafael betancourt
