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POSTGAME: Hurdles for Hurdle and his Rockies

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- It seems safe to that their long layoff cooled off the red-hot Rockies, winners of 21 of 22 games, including seven straight in the N.L. playoffs, heading into the World Series.

The downside of their NLCS sweep of Arizona was that it concluded Oct. 15 -- a week ago Monday.

The Rockies' starting pitcher in Game One against the Red Sox, lefty ace Jeff Francis, hadn't started since beating the Diamondbacks in the opening game of the NLCS on Oct. 11.

But Colorado manager Clint Hurdle refused to say his team was rusty.

''We're a no-excuse ballclub,'' he said. ''Always have been. We just got outplayed.''

The Red Sox rocked the Rockies for 17 hits, 12 of which came with two outs.

''You saw our inability to shut down innings,'' Hurdle said. ''I think they scored all but two runs with two outs. What was it -- nine straight guys? -- got on base with two outs in the fifth. So we've got some things we can work on.''

Like the Angels and Indians before them, the Rockies struggled against Red Sxo starter Josh Beckett.

''He's been effective for a while now,'' Hurdle said. ''His fastball has got good late life. He pitches both sides of the plate when he wants to, and he gets ahead, and he can start spinning the ball effectively well. As advertised, we've seen it before. We saw more of it tonight.''

The Rockies won't see Beckett again until Game Five in Denver.

If, that is, the Series lasts that long. Lest we forget, the Sox swept St. Louis in four when they won the World Series in 2004.

Despite losing, 13-1, in the opening game, Hurdle insists the Rockies' confidence isn't shaken.

''One of the strengths this club has had throughout the season is our confidence hasn't been shaken by the results of a game. Or a series of games.

''That being said, that's not the way we drew it up. But, you know what, we have to go out and play. We've got some pitchers that have to make some pitches. We've got to see some pitches (at the plate.) I feel real confident we'll get back out there and get after it (in Game Two.)''

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 12:55 AM | Permalink