San Francisco – The problems arrived with a single hit, not off a bat, but from one. On April 4, 2003, Byung-Hyun Kim faced the Rockies as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. An otherwise decent outing was overshadowed a significant issue. Preston Wilson’s broken bat struck Kim in the right ankle.
Kim identifies that moment as the beginning of his career spiral. More than two years later, he has begun to resemble the dominant closer who created hives among big-league hitters.
His balance better, his arm stronger, Kim has evolved from a Rockies problem to a potential solution for a rotation spot next season, contract willing.
In his best road outing of the season Wednesday, the funky right-hander threw seven innings of two-run ball. And yet he retreated to the dugout with hollow satisfaction, giving way to the bizarre.
For a team that has identified every possible way to lose on the road, the Rockies turned a catcher’s interference and a dribbler single into an unlikely 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants at SBC Park.
It had been about 11 months that the Rockies won back-to-back road games. Only one player, outfielder Matt Holliday, remained from that starting lineup when Colorado trumped the San Diego Padres on Sept. 5, 2004.
“It’s been that long?” said closer Brian Fuentes, who posted his 18th save with his parents in attendance. “That’s one of those things you come across in a coffee table book and say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that.”‘
Weirdness unfolded in the ninth Wednesday. Larry Bigbie, who has deftly handled a transition to a team he knew didn’t want him, singled off Giants closer Tyler Walker. With the game tied at 2, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle took a risk, signaling for a hit-and-run with Luis Gonzalez at bat.
Walker anticipated the move, throwing high and away. He effectively threw the game away in the process – by no fault of his own. Rookie catcher Yamid Haad reached for the ball as Gonzalez flailed. He stayed in the box and his bat smashed Haad’s glove, resulting in catcher’s interference, Haad’s second error in two nights.
“I was trying to hit the ball, not his glove,” Gonzalez said. “It turned out to be a huge play.”
That left JD Closser, on a mini-surge just as veteran Todd Greene inches closer to regaining his health, to deliver the big hit. It lacked authority, though not effectiveness. His seeing-eye single scored Bigbie with the go-ahead run.
“I was just hoping it would get through,” Closser said.
Fuentes, without the accompanying drama, easily erased the Giants in the ninth. Today Colorado can complete its first road sweep since July 23-25, 2004, at Arizona.
Kim made this accomplishment possible. Plagued by wildness and lacking velocity, the 26-year-old – that more than anything explains why the Rockies like him – has settled into the rotation. He has compiled a 4.33 ERA in 12 starts. He surrendered just five hits and struck out four.
“I was never hurt, I just had to fix my mechanics,” Kim said. “My balance generates my power. I am getting back to that, taking baby steps.”
ROCKIES RECAP
Shealy finds something to like about SBC Park
Ryan Shealy walked in from batting practice with an opinion.
“This is a pretty cool place,” Shealy said. “I like it.”
Although SBC Park never has been kind to hitters, Shealy left his hit in San Francisco. The rookie first baseman, filling in for the injured Todd Helton, launched a moon shot over the left-field fence in the second inning. Shealy, who played in the Triple-A All-Star Game, has seven hits in his past four games.
Closing time
Brian Fuentes’ ninth-inning drama Tuesday spawned a talk from manager Clint Hurdle on Wednesday. Hurdle went over pitch selection with Fuentes. “It’s more important that we have the discussion now rather than after a blown save,” Hurdle said. Fuentes has 18 saves, leaving 25 a realistic goal this season.
Miceli available
Mike DeJean pitched two innings Tuesday because he was effective, not because Dan Miceli was hurting. “I feel fine,” Miceli said. If Scott Dohmann regains his form, it’s not out of the question that Miceli will be traded this month.
Community relations
Wednesday’s game marked the second annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Night at SBC Park.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
