Rocky Mountain High...

On June 3rd, the Colorado Rockies trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by 151/2 games for first place in the National League West. The deficit is now two. The Rockies had another walk-off win, beating the Dodgers 5 to 4 in extra innings. Troy Tulowitzki had the game winning single to make a winner of Matt Herges. The Rockies are a major league-best 52-22 since June 3, when they were a season-worst 12 games under .500.

When it is all said and done, a lot of so-called experts owe the National League West an apology. Last season, the West was putrid, save the Dodgers. This year, the Dodgers, Giants, and Rockies have all proven to be for real. With all the upward movement by the Rockies, it is easy to forget that the Giants are just four games out of the Wild Card with an almost completely absent offense. They are a corner outfielder away from being scary good next year.

Zack Grienke's amazing season has been lost in the less than stellar season the Royals are having. But last night, the Kansas City right hander reminded America how good he is. Grienke struck out 15 over eight innings in a 6 to 2 Royals win over the Cleveland Indians. The Kansas City Star had this analysis of Grienke's start. The 15 K's are new record for a Royals starter.

You have to wonder if the Mets should have shut down Johan Santana earlier. The lefty ace is now having bone chips scoped from his pitching elbow. You can just lump this on top of what has been an entire season of injuries and mishaps. Below is the current Mets disabled list. (Note: Omar Minaya is not listed, he is day to day with brain cramps) Only the Cincinnatti Reds come close to rivaling the Mets in vital parts hitting the DL with Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez, Jay Bruce, and Joey Votto all seeing significant time on the mend this year.


New York Mets
Updated
Player
Pos
Injury
Expected Return
08/24/09
Ramon E. Martinez
SS
Finger
60-day DL. Might be out for the season
08/23/09
Jose B. Reyes
SS
Hamstring
15-day DL. Might be out for the season
08/24/09
Carlos Beltran
CF
Knee
15-day DL. Out until at least early September
08/19/09
Alex Cora
SS
Hand
15-day DL. Out for the season
08/12/09
Carlos Delgado
1B
Hip, oblique
15-day DL. Might be out for the season
08/06/09
Jonathon Niese
SP
Hamstring
60-day DL. Out for the season
08/25/09
Oliver Perez
SP
Knee
Questionable for Aug. 28 start at Chicago Cubs
08/25/09
J.J. Putz
RP
Elbow
60-day DL. Out for the season
08/25/09
Johan Santana
SP
Elbow
Out for the season
08/26/09
Gary Sheffield
LF
Back
Questionable for Aug. 26-27 at Florida
08/24/09
David Wright
3B
Concussion
15-day DL. Eligible to return for Sept. 1-3 series vs. Colorado
07/24/09
John Maine
SP
Shoulder
15-day DL. Might be out for the season
07/16/09
Fernando Martinez
RF
Knee
15-day DL. Out until at least early September
07/21/09
Fernando Nieve
RP
Leg
15-day DL. Out until at least early September

-From CBSSports.com