Nothing like a pair of rookies seriously having their mettle tested two days into the season. After the disgruntled Byung-Hyun Kim (who's still hoping for a trade) gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th to the Diamondbacks, the Rox came back to rally in the bottom half of the inning. First Todd Helton and Matt Holliday singled before Brad Hawpe grounded into a double-play, leaving Helton on third with two outs and two rookies coming up. Troy Tulowitzki (pictured), he of 26 career big league hits (and one of the coolest names in baseball), sent a line drive to right field where Eric Byrnes misjudged his dive so badly that the ball bounced off the heal of his glove, resulting in a double (it was initially charged as an error). That was for a guy who struck out on three pitches against Jose Valverde in the loss the night before. Tulowitzki's double brought up Chris Ianetta to the plate, he of 22 career big league hits, with the game-winning run on second. Ianetta sent a sharp ground ball through the hole into left field, and the Rockies won it 4-3. How bout that for Colorado, four hits in an 11th inning rally, including the game-winners by rookies with two outs? Impressive.
Tuesday night's game is also a great reminder of how quickly you need to "turn the page" in baseball. On Opening Day, Eric Byrnes was the hero for Arizona. The next night, he was the goat, and probably cursed under his breath saying he should have caught the "frickin' ball."
Previously at FanHouse:
AM Leadoff: Renteria for MVP!
Byung-Hyun Kim's Whining on His Way to the Pen
