Tucson – Brad Hawpe launched a 480-foot homer Tuesday afternoon, clearing Tucson Electric Park’s 40-foot green monster in center field.
Too bad he never saw the fireworks.
“I probably should have tried to watch it and see what happened, but when I hit one like that I usually just put my head down and start toward first,” the right fielder said after his sixth- inning, two-run shot propelled the Rockies to a 6-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Fortunately for Hawpe, his teammates where there to tell him about it.
“That’s the longest home run I’ve ever seen, under any conditions,” Jeff Baker said.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was awed.
“That ball was hit as far as any ball I’ve ever seen hit in Tucson,” Hurdle said. “It sounded like a gunshot. That’s just a perfect example of effortless power.”
Hawpe’s homer came on a green-light, 3-0 fastball from White Sox right-hander Adam Russell. Hawpe shrugged it off as simply one good early spring swing. What he’s not shrugging off is his fast start.
“I feel better than most springs,” said Hawpe, who is hitting .308.
“I’ve got some hits and some hard outs. Usually it takes me a few weeks to feel remotely comfortable and get the barrel on the ball.”
Mr. Efficiency
Right-handed pitcher Jason Hirsh, one of the key pieces to the deal that sent Jason Jennings to Houston, made quick work of the White Sox. In three innings he allowed one hit and struck out one.
“I don’t know if I was crisp, but I was efficient,” Hirsh said. “I missed a few spots, but this was another good day for my changeup. I’m really happy with that pitch right now.”
After throwing in an intrasquad game last week, Rod- rigo Lopez got his first official start. After two scoreless innings, he faltered in the third, getting tagged for three runs, including a two-run homer by A.J. Pierzynski.
“I left a changeup up and he hit it good,” Lopez said. “But I felt really good today. My fastball had good movement, and I felt good working with that, so I just stayed with it.”
Footnotes
Hawpe agreed to a $403,000 contract. Had he not accepted, Hawpe’s contract would have been renewed at a slightly lower amount. … Pitchers Manny Corpas ($382,000) and Darren Clarke ($382,000) signed as well. … The only concession to Brian Lawrence’s shoulder surgery is that he is pitching on every fifth day, rather than on four days like the Rockies’ other starters. He expects to use his cutter and changeup more in Saturday’s game.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
