In Loe's career (almost 2000 PA), lefties have an .850 OPS off him, as opposed to .680 for righties. His K/BB ratio is 2.49 for righties, 1.08 for lefties. In K-Rod's case, lefties are better than righties, a .644 OPS compared to .550. But K-Rod is a far better pitcher and could have easily gotten the last out in the 7th and stayed in for the 8th. Saito was warming up so I'm guessing he was available also. Only Dillard would have been a worse option, as lefties hit with over a 1.000 OPS against him. Dillard and Loe should never see lefties and it is up to DM and RR to understand that the bullpen will continue to throw away games if they are put in bad situations. Oh, and this is Todd Helton we are taking about, so it was even more important that a quality pitcher goes in against him. Bringing in Loe to face Ellis was a good move. Loe should then have been pulled and replaced with Saito or K-Rod.