Rutledge and McBride bright spots in rout

The Rockies have given up 27 runs in two losses to the Giants in the first two games of the series. The pitching is getting worse. Looking for and need something positive to take home?

Rookie shortstop Josh Rutledge's average is dropping (it had to, he is not a .382 hitter) but his power is still there, as evidenced by his 6th homer in 20 games with the Rockies since his callup from Double-A Tulsa.

Matt McBride called up and hits right away

Rookie Matt McBride, just called up from Triple-A,and playing first base Saturday, doubled and singled in five at-bats. McBride, a trade-chip from the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, doesn't possess much power but hit at a high level all season for the Sky Sox. His trial run will be an interesting one to follow.

Now for bad news not related to pitching. Rutledge committed his fifth error and rookie catcher Wilin Rosario committed his tenth so those two have a lot of work to do in the field.

Rockies' Prospects Spotlight 

Double-A Tulsa only scored seven runs and it took them 12 innings to do so but in that game two hitting prospects had their best games in some time. Outfielder Corey Dickerson finished with three hits, including two homers (#8 & 9), and six RBI and third baseman Nolan Arenado homered (#9).

Arenado also made his 19th error of the season.

Taylor Featherston

Low-A shortstop Taylor Featherston hit two homers (#7 & 8) and raised his average to .294. A fifth-round pick out of Texas Christian University in 2011, Featherston has taken a big step forward this season as a prospect. Still to work on are hitting lefties better (.258 with no homers) and proving he can hit more away (.268) from his home park (.316).

David Dahl

Outfielder David Dahl doubled and finished with three hits for Grand Junction, a rookie-league level affiliate and drove his average to .376. Dahl is going to be one of rated as one of the elite prospects in the system by all major prospects-reporting media at the conclusion of the season. His hit tool seems to be that beautiful combination of natural gifts, effective mechanics and being driven to succeed.