San Diego – That the Rockies are contending is a surprise. That they are doing it without Todd Helton starring is shocking.
Helton enters today with a .230 average in May, the lowest he has hit in a single month. He has just seven extra-base hits and seven RBIs. A year ago a similar funk left Helton a mental wreck.
However, he has arrived at these numbers through entirely different circumstances, robbed of his strength and 12 pounds by an intestinal virus. And he has maintained a consistent offensive approach – something he failed to do the first two months of last season – for five consecutive games.
“I just need to get hot,” Helton said.
No less authority than future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn said he believes Helton is close to regaining his form. Before Tuesday’s game, Gwynn, now the coach at San Diego State, talked at length about Helton’s swing and why Rockies fans should not be concerned.
“It’s like my dad used to say, ‘You know why people expect so much is because you dug your own hole,”‘ Gwynn said. He said playing lousy all along wouldn’t attract attention during a slump.
“That’s how it is with Todd,” Gwynn said. “Of course it’s a surprise to see him hitting near .270. But his track record tells me he will hit. Be patient, my friends.”
Gwynn, who serves as a TV analyst for Padres games, said there are critical differences between Helton’s slump this year and last season. A year ago his problems could be traced to faulty mechanics. Now it’s just a matter of timing, according to Gwynn.
“When he’s locked in, you can’t fool him with a changeup. He will go the other way with it and beat you,” said Gwynn, a favorite to be elected to the Hall of Fame next year. “He’s a little bit out in front of that pitch right now. But he’s getting the barrel to the ball, and as the year goes on he will get the barrel through the ball. That’s when his numbers are going to soar.”
Helton was sidelined from April 22 to May 5 and spent just two days at Triple-A Colorado Springs on a rehab assignment. Helton has not used his absence as an excuse, but Gwynn said it can’t be discounted.
“Even if you are a great hitter, sometimes it takes a hundred at-bats to get your bearings back and he’s had (84) since he (returned),” Gwynn said. “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that Todd will soon be hitting well over .300 with power, doing his normal thing.”
Catchers and Closser
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba will return to the Rockies on Friday, likely as the starter. His at-bats continue to get better at Triple-A Colorado Springs, where his shoulder hasn’t caused him any problems throwing. Manager Clint Hurdle also hinted JD Closser might be unpacking his luggage on the homestand as well. Closser originally was scheduled to head back to Colorado Springs, but Miguel Ojeda, who has minor-league options remaining, may be shipped out, given how well Closser has played.
Rockies recap
Padres pitcher Chris Young is no stranger to the Rockies. He was a key member of the Dallas Mustangs Legion team that included Brad Hawpe and Choo Freeman. Before he turned in the finest start by a Rockies opponent this season, holding them hitless through seven innings, Freeman remembered him as a great hoops player.
He could really rebound, had a nice shot,” Freeman said of Young, who starred at Princeton in both basketball and baseball.
SICK BAY: The 24-hour flu bug claimed two more victims. Reliever Ray King was sent back to the hotel, where he was joined by trainer Keith Dugger. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca and bullpen coach Rick Mathews returned to the team Tuesday.
CENTER OF ATTENTION: Manager Clint Hurdle said the key for Cory Sullivan, who returned to the lineup, is laying off pitches above his hands. He has struck out 43 times.
REBOUNDING: Scott Dohmann has pitched well in Triple-A and likely will be promoted if Sun-Woo Kim struggles again in relief.
