Owings impersonates Johnny Cueto in shutting down Rockies

Micah Owings pitched perhaps the best game of his young career today against the Rockies, going 6 2/3 and giving up only two hits and one run in beating the Rockies 8-1.

Today was the home opener for the Rockies, but was more like a Grand Opening for Owings. He was Johnny Cueto-esque (that has to be the first such Cueto comparison - side note on Cueto and his mispronounced name...check out UmpBump for the various versions) in this beauty of a game. He struck out nine and walked only two.

After taking the day off yesterday against Cueto, the D-backs offense lit up big time and hammered Rockies starter Mark Redman for three quick runs in the top of the first. They ended up with 13 hits on the day, with Mark Reynolds, Justin Upton, and Orlando Hudson all having banner days at the plate. Reynolds went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and a solo home run. Upton went 3-for-5 and Hudson was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI.

Of note....all D-backs home runs this year (seven) have been solo shots. Apparently, it took a new haircut for Reynolds to get him going this season. Prior to last night, he was looking nearly identical to teammate Eric Byrnes. With his fresh lid in place, he came out hitting laser beams, breaking out of his previous 1-for-10 with 5 punchouts start to the season.

But, the day really belonged to Owings. The D-backs really needed a strong outing here to turn things around, and boy did they get it. At one point Owings had retired 17 straight Rockies. Owings was really fooling the Rox hitters as he located his blazing 89 mph fastball well enough to keep them off balance.

D-backs take on the Rox tomorrow at 5:05 PM with a beauty of a pitching matchup: Brandon Webb v. Jeff Francis. Should be a dandy.