San Diego – Garrett Atkins’ bat spoke to manager Clint Hurdle’s instinct.
That’s why Atkins hit cleanup Saturday night for the Rockies against the Padres, while Matt Holliday was in the fifth spot. For now, and for the foreseeable future, Atkins and Holliday will be interchangeable.
The move paid off in the first inning when Atkins hit a bases-loaded double, driving in two runs.
“Right now, I’m trying to play a little bit of a hot hand,” Hurdle said before the game.
How hot is Atkins? In three games leading up to Saturday’s game, Atkins was 7-for-12 (.583) with a home run, four doubles and four RBIs. He hit cleanup Friday night in Colorado’s 10-4 victory, but only because Holliday was sick with a stomach bug. But Atkins came through – he was a triple short of the cycle – and earned more chances.
“I do want to roll with it,” Hurdle said. “I think there is validation for either guy in that spot. As I told Matt today, we are just going to see how it plays out.”
One of the Rockies’ objectives this season is to produce more runs from the heart of the order, and make opposing teams pay for pitching around No. 3 hitter Todd Helton. Right now, Atkins is punishing pitchers, just as he did in September when he drove in 29 runs.
Holliday – hitting just .231 before Saturday’s game – is fine with the change, figuring he’ll get hot and knock in plenty of runs. Atkins also downplayed the switch, saying he doesn’t feel added pressure hitting cleanup.
“I try not to think about it,” he said. “It’s just one spot higher, so I don’t think it’s that big a deal.”
Mini-slump for Ardoin
Starting catcher Danny Ardoin opened the season 0-for-13 with five strikeouts. Miguel Ojeda took his place in the starting lineup Saturday, but Ardoin is expected to catch for Jason Jennings today.
The success Ardoin had early in spring training with a revamped stance and shortened swing has disappeared. That’s why he spent extra time watching video and working in the batting cage Saturday.
“They have been 13 poor at-bats, and he knows that,” Hurdle said. “We talked about some things today and tried to redirect his focus. I do believe he will be fine.”
Ardoin doesn’t believe he is in a deep slump.
“It’s just 13 at-bats, there’s a whole lot of season left,” he said. “I have no reason to press.”
Rockies recap
Maybe San Diego’s Petco Park needs a humidor. The Rockies pounded out six hits, including a two-run homer by catcher Miguel Ojeda, in a seven-run first inning Saturday night. It was the most first-inning runs scored by the Rockies in a road game.
In Colorado’s 10-4 win Friday night, the Rockies had nine extra-base hits, tying for third-most in a road game in franchise history. The Rockies also tied Seattle (June 24, 2005) for the most extra-base hits in a game at Petco.
KING OF SWING: In Friday’s game, reliever Ray King went to bat for just the sixth time in his career, striking out against San Diego left-handed fireballer Alan Embree. King said if he never gets another at-bat, it would be just fine with him.
“I couldn’t care less about hitting,” King said with a laugh. “I get paid to get guys out, not get hits.”
B.K. UPDATE: Injured starting pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim (hamstring) threw 50 pitches in a side session Sunday and is scheduled to throw a simulated game either Tuesday or Wednesday in Arizona.
