Talk to the manager tired of mediocrity, to the pitching coach frustrated with inconsistency, and it’s clear the Rockies are open to anything at this point.
Clint Hurdle wants improvement from starters or demotions will be discussed. And those may be only the first bricks in any reconstruction.
With average attendance down 12.2 percent from this time a year ago, directly affecting revenue, the Rockies will listen as teams call about starters Jason Jennings, Joe Kennedy and Shawn Chacon, who landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
Redemption, however, replaced any talk of player relocation Saturday as the Rockies stormed to a 7-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at chilly Coors Field, establishing a season-best three-game winning streak.
“No team comes out of spring training thinking it’s going to be June before they win three straight, and if they do, I don’t want to be on it,” center fielder Preston Wilson said. “A little success, though, always builds confidence.”
For a team that has perfected the art of losing close and late, this victory represented a breakthrough, particularly for starter Jamey Wright and catcher JD Closser.
Both returned from the most recent road trip with their status in jeopardy. Wright, Hurdle said, had to pitch better or face a bullpen refresher. Closser, who delivered his season’s biggest hit in the six-run sixth inning, was staring at a Triple-A breather, his season soured by a hollow bat.
Five days after taming the Cardinals, Wright responded with his second consecutive strong outing made more impressive by his sloppy start. The Reds tagged the right-hander for four runs in the first inning.
After recording his first groundball out on the 13th hitter he faced, Wright settled into a groove, holding the Reds scoreless the next five innings. There was no party in the clubhouse for the recovery because Wright didn’t feel he was facing an ultimatum.
“I have never heard that from anyone except when (reporters) bring it up,” Wright said. “I know I can pitch at this level.”
Five hours after candidly discussing his growing intolerance for lacking results, Hurdle praised Wright. The right-hander isn’t going anywhere for now, with Byung-Hyun Kim replacing the injured Chacon in the rotation.
Closser was staring at a cake at his locker afterward, presented by his teammates for throwing out his first runner this season in 17 attempts. The icing was his hit. He laced a two-run double to left field, the significance of which cannot be overstated given the rookie entered the game with a .186 average.
“I feel like it’s the first time I am starting to have some fun, that’s when we do our best,” Closser said. “We have to quit worrying about what our numbers are, keep grinding, and things will turn around.”
Reliever Jay Witasick survived a shaky outing before closer Brian Fuentes worked a clean ninth. It was Wright and Closser who recorded unofficial saves.
Rockies recap
Not in Little League. Not in high school, college and definitely not in the big leagues. Never had Todd Helton taken a sick day until Friday night. He tried for two hours to play, but succumbed to a 101-degree fever and violent illness believed to be caused by food poisoning. “That’s why they scratched me so late,” Helton said. “I did everything I could.” He returned Saturday feeling much better.
HAIR AFFAIR: Eddy Garabito was barely recognizable Saturday, his braids shaved off. He promised his aunt Anna on her deathbed he wouldn’t cut his hair until he made the big leagues. “It was for her,” he said. Teammates Luis Gonzalez and David Cortes provided the shave.
MICELI PROGRESSES: Dan Miceli reached 91 mph on his fastball in back-to-back extended spring outings and will begin a minor-league assignment soon.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
