Generally, pitchers can safely regard a strikeout as a positive outcome of any at-bat -- worst case scenario, the batter ends up on first base after a wild pitch, but a K removes 99 percent of possible defensive/fluky baseball shenanigans. We say "99 percent" because, as the Rockies proved Saturday against the Giants, one should never underestimate the power of baseball shenanigans:

That's Gregor Blanco at the plate to lead off the game, and for all we know, he probably whiffed on purpose because he saw this whole thing coming. The pitch isn't even that wild, but it gets away from catcher Nick Hundley, who immediately fires it to no one in particular down the first-base line. A few seconds (and a lot of foul territory) later, Blanco is at third base, having expertly fulfilled his obligations as offensive table-setter.

Said Blanco after the game:

"It was weird. I struck out but I got to third base. So I kind of felt like I did my job. As a leadoff man, you're supposed to get on base no matter what."

You certainly can't argue with the results -- just, you know, don't look in the box score.

(Additional reporting by Chris Haft / MLB.com)