Tucson – Steve Finley turns 42 in four days, but he cruised the bases and roamed center field like a 21-year-old Wednesday afternoon, putting heat on competition for a roster spot.
“There definitely is life in those legs,” manager Clint Hurdle said after the Rockies were beaten 8-2 by the Brewers.
Finley, batting .385, scorched a triple down the right-field line to open the fourth and had an assist in the first.
The Rockies likely will keep five outfielders, although adding a sixth outfielder/infielder such as John Mabry, who could be a primary pinch hitter, is a possibility. Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe, Willy Taveras and Jeff Baker, who also plays first and third, appear to be roster locks. That leaves Cory Sullivan, Jeff Salazar, Ryan Spilborghs, Alexis Gomez and Finley sitting on the bubble. Finley’s experience, combined with the Rockies’ win-now mantra, could help his chances.
Sullivan, the primary starter last year, is 1-for-9 in four games. Gomez is hitting .455 (5-for-11). Spilborghs (.333) went 2-for-2 with an RBI Wednesday.
Mound of trouble
Aside from Matt Herges’ 1-2-3 ninth, Wednesday was a shaky day for Rockies pitchers. Starter Josh Fogg, struggling to keep the ball down, gave up three runs on six hits (including four doubles) in three innings. Byung-Hyun Kim allowed four runs, four walks and four hits in 2 1/3 innings.
“It was one of those games that you just want to wash off in the shower when you’re done with it,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said.
Fogg-y situation
Fogg plans on breaking camp with the Rockies, but nothing is certain. His contract – $3.625 million – makes him hard to trade and the guaranteed portion of his contract (in excess of $600,000) hard to eat.
“I plan on being here. I want to be,” he said. “But if for some reason I am not, I would hope it happens sooner rather than at the end of camp.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck contributed to this report.
Staff writer Patrick Saunderscan be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
