San Diego – For a sport without a clock, timing sure is important in baseball.
This point was driven home to Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes this week. Since returning from a 78-game absence, Barmes has batted .130 (3-for-23) adjusting to the speed of major-league pitches. On Thursday, he hit the bench after being given a breather to clear his head.
“It’s just like (manager Clint Hurdle) says, I have to let the game come to me,” Barmes said. “I was trying to make up for three months with every swing.”
Defensively, Barmes feels further along, having taken groundballs for three weeks before beginning a rehab assignment. Barmes has committed 13 errors in 59 games, many of which came early in the season on thrown balls he should have eaten. Omar Quintanilla replaced him Thursday.
Mexicali team sees a star
The kids immediately recognized his face from 100 feet away. To Rockies’ fans, David Cortes is a late-blooming reliever. To the Mexicali Little League team, he is an idol.
“It’s great seeing them here,” said Cortes of the orange-and-blue-clad players who advanced to the World Series in Williamsport, Pa., and were guests of the San Diego Padres on Thursday.
Cortes grew up in Mexicali, Mexico, where he is a star closer in the winter for Fernando Valenzuela’s team.
No rest for Francis
The Rockies will not skip struggling starter Jeff Francis, believing it’s important for him to grind through his slump. “Jeff has to make adjustments more quickly, and he’s capable of doing that,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said.
DeJean talks percolate
Negotiations have begun in earnest between the Rockies and reliever Mike DeJean’s agent. The Rockies consider DeJean a key late-inning piece for next year’s bullpen. “I know I feel good about (the chances of staying here),” DeJean said.
