The Rockies have now lost seven games in a row. Their bullpen is suddenly a disaster. They've fallen rapidly from a tie for first to sole possession of last place, their freefall only pausing for the All-Star Break.

And I'm in another state, only checking boxscores sporadically. Good timing on my part. If they're still in a death spiral by the time I return to Colorado on Wednesday, I guess I'll have to address things more thoroughly. I don't have to tell you, I imagine, that my hope is that they'll turn things around with their series in Pittsburgh and I'll be spared that unpleasantness.

Listening to Ron Santo on WGN during the Mets' 11-run inning in Chicago tonight, now that was a rare joy.