Next year’s spring training battle between Jeff Baker and Brad Hawpe for the starting right-field job heated up Sunday on a glorious September afternoon.
Baker, a late-season call-up, got another start and hit his fifth homer of the season and the fourth in his past seven games. He also had a triple and went 3-for-5, raising his average to .356. Baker has driven in 18 runs in just 45 at-bats.
Not to be outdone, Hawpe blasted a pinch-hit, two-run, game-winning homer in the eighth. It was the second pinch-hit homer of his career and his 20th homer of the season.
“It’s nice to get 20, and anytime you come through like that, it’s gratifying,” Hawpe said. “It was a special homer, especially coming against the Braves, who are still a good team.”
But Hawpe didn’t view his game-winner as a response to Baker’s late-season hot streak.
“I wasn’t trying to show management anything,” he said. “I just went up there to drive the ball. When I get my opportunities, I’m going to try and drive the ball four times a day.”
WINTERIZE YOUR SKILLS: With center field wide open next season – trade and free-agent possibilities include Gary Matthews Jr., Coco Crisp and Darin Erstad – Choo Freeman and Ryan Spilborghs plan to prepare by playing winter ball. Manager Clint Hurdle said he’s puzzled more players don’t take advantage of the opportunity.
Cory Sullivan doesn’t plan on playing and neither does shortstop Clint Barmes. Barmes participated in winter ball last year, but is getting married this offseason.
FOOTNOTES: Coaches expect to find out this week if they will be invited back. Don’t be surprised if Jamie Quirk and Dave Collins receive interviews for the handful of anticipated major-league managerial vacancies this fall. … With Philadelphia winning Sunday, the Braves were officially eliminated from the wild-card race, marking the first time since 1990 they are not in the playoffs. … The Rockies overcame a seven-run deficit, making it their biggest comeback since July 4, 2004, when they trailed Detroit 8-0 in the fifth inning but came back to win 10-8.
