A game for the ages was spoiled by a 10th inning moon shot home run off the bat of Dustin Pedroia, his third home run of the game.
It was a night that reminded Rockies fans, mostly dressed in Red Sox replica jerseys, about the old days at Coors Field. The 10-inning affair featured 33 hits and 24 runs before Boston finally nailed down the 13-11 victory. The heat—game time temperature was 93 degrees—played a large factor in the large number of runs. It seems that the humidor doesn’t make an affect when the temperature is hot and the air is dry at Coors Field.
The Rockies lost a chance to sweep one of the best teams in Major League Baseball. They had them on the ropes on several occasions, but failed to convert. Seth Smith nearly ended the game in the ninth when he hit a scaled line drive to the deepest part of the park, only to land in the glove of Colorado-native Darnell McDonald.
In all, the Rockies left the bases loaded three times and combined to leave 31 men on base. However, despite the loss, there is no room to be negative after the series the Rockies had.
Even though the scoreboard after the 4:48 hours of game time was not in the Rockies favor, this series was a turning point. There is no other way to say it except that the Rockies have been brutal on offense all season long. Failing to live up to their expectations would be a welcomed way of describing the teams struggles at the plate heading into the series.
There had been no fight in the club. If they got down a run or two the game was pretty much over. Announcers talking about the Taco Bell promo for cheap tacos when the Rockies scored seven or more runs became a ridiculous proposition. At one point it had been three weeks since the Rockies had scored five runs in a game.
They broke out of their season long slump against the Red Sox, a team that always fights their way back into games. Jonathan Papelbon, one of the best closers in the game, blew two saves in the series. He had given up just one home run to a lefty all season long, and in the course of four batters gave up two.
If the Rockies end up going on a run and making the playoffs, they will certainly look back on their series against one of the most storied franchises in baseball as the turning point. In this series they went from a team that rolls over on their backs when things get tough, to a bulldog ready to fight anyone, regardless of their size.
The Rockies have a tough night ahead of them as they travel to Anaheim for a three game set against the Angels.
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