Joe Beimel News

With the free agency period starting last Friday, the Rays find themselves in a somewhat similar situation to last winter.

Last week, Dan Oa TMDowd was named the Major League executive of the year by Sporting News.A His off-season moves and in-season decisions helped the Rockies reach the postseason for the second time in three years.A It seemed Oa TMDowd made all of the right moves at a time when the Rockies needed some leadership at the top.

Right-hander Jose Contreras and left-hander Joe Beimel, both late-season additions to the Rockies' bullpen, each filed for free agency on Monday.

With a passion for teaching still in his blood, former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was introduced as the Texas Rangers' hitting coach Thursday.

The Rockies moved quickly to fortify their bullpen Thursday, signing Matt Belisle and Randy Flores to one-year deals.

Joel Peralta made two of the biggest pitches of the Rockies' season in back-to-back wins over Milwaukee in June.

Ryan Howard went 6-for-16 against the Rockies and delivered the biggest hit of the series, a two-out, two-run ninth-inning double that tied Game 4. But he faced only two lefties, relievers Franklin Morales and Joe Beimel , and went 0-for-4. He'll see more lefties from the Dodgers, who will try to neutralize the game's most feared slugger.

Jim Tracy, left, who took over as Rockies manager May 29 with the team's record at 18-28 and led Colorado to the National League wild card, is in position to get a contract extension.

The blame was laid at the feet of the closer on Monday, which fair or unfair, is essentially how the drill goes when you're in such a high leverage situation, under the watchful eyes of so many with so much on the line.

Made for his swing. Made for his reputation. Made for his demeanor. It was cold.

RAUL IBANEZ has a master's degree from the University of Chase Utley's School of Speaking about One's Health.

The Phillies have a lineup that could make many pitchers cringe. But Rockies left-handed reliever Joe Beimel smiles.

The playoffs are about as sympathetic as a traffic ticket. Managers who make decisions with their hearts tend to get their guts ripped out.

The Rockies' cushion in the wild-card race was trimmed to 3½ games over idle Atlanta, and the San Francisco Giants had a chance to cut their deficit to three games.

Joe Beimel took the loss for Colorado, allowing one run while getting just two outs, and Adam Russell retired the only batter he faced to pick up the win.

''We control our destiny still,'' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said after the Rockies' 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday night trimmed their lead to 3 1/2 games over idle Atlanta.

Rockies closer Huston Street returned to action on Tuesday night, pitching a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in the seventh and protecting a two-run Rockies lead over the Padres.

Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe contributes to a plethora of early scoring with a three-run homer in the first inning Tuesday night at Coors Field.

Dan O'Dowd has long been one of this city's favorite punching bags. Critics blasted him, rightly so, for not beefing up the Rockies' rotation last year following the magic of Rocktober.

Josh Thole was born on Oct. 28, 1986 -- the day after the Mets won their last World Series.