San Diego – San Diego Padres shortstop Damian Jackson insists there’s no hatred, no residue of bitterness following his 2004 spring training release.
Sure, he signed with the Rockies expecting to be their starting second baseman. And yes, he was surprised a depth chart spiral led to his release, a $160,000 parting gift and some leftover equipment his only connection to the Rockies.
“Man, I am too old to hold grudges,” said Jackson, his stat line only slightly more colorful than his 20-some tattoos. “I can’t worry about what happened yesterday. Maybe it was a wake-up call.”
The Rockies continued sleepwalking through a winless road trip, losing their seventh consecutive game, 2-1, on Tuesday night, with Jackson the tormentor.
After a defeat akin to eating beach sand, the reality of a 6-18 record began seeping into a chillingly quiet Rockies clubhouse.
“We need to start putting some wins together or it’s not going to be a fun June, July, August or September,” snakebitten starter Jamey Wright said. “We are not out of it yet, but we need to do a little soul-searching or this thing is going to get out of hand.”
Colorado severed ties with Jackson, telling him his attitude didn’t fit their process. He didn’t help himself with a chilly spring offensively. convinced the Rockies they made the right decision, leading all rookies with 153 hits last season.
Jackson has bounced around since, returning to the Padres on Tuesday in place of Adam Hyzdu because of the team’s desperate need for a shortstop. The Rockies’ defeat, their 12th in 13 road games, featured Jackson gaining a measure of revenge with a clutch eighth-inning double.
“After the Rockies released me after highly pursuing me, I wondered if I would ever get another chance,” said Jackson, who singled, doubled and stole a base. “It was my fault. I am just concentrating on being a good teammate.”
Everything about Jackson’s at-bat against Jay Witasick pointed to failure. With one out, Ryan Klesko was erased at third base, the first runner the Rockies’ catchers have thrown out this season in 21 attempts.
Undeterred, Jackson worked the count to 2-2 before smoking a slider down the left-field line, scoring Sean Burroughs.
“That’s the pitch I wanted to throw,” Witasick said. “I wouldn’t change the approach any. He just got underneath it.”
The run became a milk moustache on Wright’s Mona Lisa.
For practical purposes, Wright couldn’t have pitched much better. He yielded one run in 6 1/3 innings, striking out a season-high nine hitters and cementing his ERA away from Coors Field to 1.37.
Wright’s lone mistake came in the sixth inning. Klesko, no longer haunted by Petco Park, unloaded on a 3-0 fastball. It was difficult to ascertain which traveled farther – his bat or the ball. Klesko flipped the lumber in the air, admiring his 414-foot shot to right field.
“You know what I am feeling right now is that I made a bad pitch to him,” said Wright, whose home ERA is 13.94. “I knew he was going to swing and I made a mistake.”
Trevor Hoffman appeared to make a similar gaffe in the ninth, tagged for a leadoff double by . But two strikeouts and a harmless grounder extricated him from trouble.
“Our starter did great, the bullpen was respectable and I got beat on a pitch,” Witasick said. “But I really think it’s starting to come together.”
Staff writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
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Barmes may take over leadoff spot from Miles
A young roster and realistically low expectations allow for experimentation. For starters, manager Clint Hurdle is toying with changing the top of the lineup, moving to leadoff while moving .
In the throes of a 1-for-13 slump, Miles didn’t start Tuesday, and when he returns it might be in the second or eighth spot in the order.
“It’s something I am considering,” Hurdle said.
Miles hasn’t walked this season in 82 leadoff at-bats, a problem compounded by his lacking bunt hits. If Barmes hits first, could move to the No. 2 slot.
Said Miles: “I have been too aggressive. I believe I can hit leadoff, but I don’t care where I am if I am in the lineup.”
CENTER OF ATTENTION: started in center in ‘s absence. Petco Park’s big outfield and Sullivan’s ability to hit leadoff played into the decision to play him instead of Dustan Mohr.
HYZDU OUT, JACKSON IN: Adam Hyzdu, the author of a three-run double Monday, was designated for assignment Tuesday, replaced on the roster by former Rockie Damian Jackson.
