Who Will the Rockies Keep?

Heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, the sun seemed to be setting on the bright Colorado Rockies season. Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee held the Rockies in check for the vast majority of the game, but in the bottom of the eighth, the Rockies offense woke up, scoring three runs keyed by a single from slugger Jason Giambi. Up 4-2, the Rockies’ lights-out closer, Huston Street, comes in to save the game, something he’s done in 35 of 37 opportunities. But he gave up three runs, and the Rockies couldn’t reclaim the lead. Phillies closer Brad Ligde, a Denver native who played at Cherry Creek High School, struck out Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to end the game—and now the Rockies season is over. Street tells The Denver Post he takes full responsibility for the loss, saying he let his teammates down. Last week Yahoo! Sports reported the Rockies have already approached Street about renewing his deal, but could last night’s game change his fate? Let’s look at the season’s positives, though. It’s clear outfielder Carlos Gonzales is an emerging star, hitting a red-hot .588 during the National League Division Series and proving he’ll be a team mainstay for years to come, writes USA Today. Pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (pictured) showed numerous skills, as well as the ability to combine them to become one of the best pitchers in the game. And let’s not forget Jim Tracy, who stepped in after manager Clint Hurdle was fired in late May. Whether the team retains him will be a key question in the coming days.