Rockies First Half Recap: Bullpen Part #1

During the 1st half of the 2010 Major League Baseball Season, the Colorado Rockies Bullpen has had its ups and downs. Starting the season in the bullpen was Franklin Morales, Matt Belisle, Rafael Betancourt, Juan Rincon, Manuel Corpas, Matt Daley, and Randy Flores. Juan Rincon was sent down when Joe Beimel was called up. Joe Beimel had his era below 1.00 until the last game of the Red Sox series. He deserved to be an all- star candidate and was one of the Rockies’ best pitchers in the 1st half coming in most of his outings and doing his job. Franklin Morales lost his job as closer in May, as he struggled in his appearances blowing save after save, and his job was given to Manuel Corpas who was one of the Rockies’ closers in 2007. After working as a long reliever and leading the bullpen in innings pitched, the Rockies put Corpas in the 9th inning as closer. He did well for a while, but in June started to struggle, blowing saves and the Rockies had to find ways to work him into ball games.

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In late June when Matt Daley went on the DL after struggling as well in the 2010 season, the Rockies called up Juan Rincon to take his spot. After Huston Street came back the Rockies designated Juan Rincon. Huston Street finished out the first half strong with five saves. It took Street only a couple of appearances to regain his closer’s role. When Franklin Morales was sent down to triple-A Colorado Springs, Esmil Rogers was called up and worked well out of the bullpen but was sent down to triple-A when starting pitcher De La Rosa came off the DL. The bullpen finished the first half of the season with Belisle, Betancourt, Corpas, Beimel, Chacin (who was called up when De La Rosa was hurt and later sent to the bullpen,) Street, and Flores.

By Eric Wright
MLBcenter.com Colorado Rockies Correspondent

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