Catch the daily spring training roundup each afternoon from Rockies beat writers Troy E. Renck and Patrick Saunders in Tucson. You’ll find insider information on players and what the team is working on as they get ready for the 2007 season. Check every afternoon for the Rockies Rundown.
Peoria, Ariz. – The maturation of Jeff Francis continues.
With his pitches a little bit off, the 26-year-old lefty turned to his growing baseball intellect to save his day as the Rockies squeaked out a 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Mariners Friday afternoon.
“I didn’t have the feel today that I’ve had all camp, but I think I made some good pitches today, at times,” Francis said after Friday’s game. “It’s a way of thinking out there. I’ll think, If I can’t get him out this way, or with this pitch, I’ll get him out another way.’ It’s not so much about having more pitches or better pitches, it’s about begin able to think my way through.”
Francis had a rough third inning, surrendering three runs on three hits, but he would have escaped with minimal damage if left fielder Alexis Gomez hadn’t misplayed a fly ball into a double.
Francis struck out five Mariners, catching both Jose Vido and Richie Sexon looking. But his most impressive feat this spring is the fact that he’s walked just one batter in nine innings, and that lone walk came in a “B” game.
“He pitched extremely well (Friday),” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s been repeating that delivery, he’s been down in the zone and he’s changing speeds effectively.”
Injury report
A wicked line drive off the bat of Rockies outfielder Alexis Gomez put first-base coach Glenallen Hill on the casualty list Friday. Gomez’s fourth-inning screamer into foul territory caught Hill on the elbow, causing Hill to writhe in pain. The sound of ball smacking bone could be heard up in the press box. Hill said he might have to have X-rays taken.
“It was extremely painful,” he said. “I’ve never felt pain like that in my life. Not being hit by a pitch or even playing football.”
Hill left the game and was replaced by Walt Weiss. Hill returned to his duties in the ninth inning.
“I’m a soldier,” he said.
First baseman Todd Helton, slowed by a sore right knee that caused him to miss Thursday’s game, did not make the trip from Tucson to Peoria. He’s scheduled to play today when the Rockies host the White Sox.
“It’s a little sore but it’ll be fine,” Helton said this morning.
In an effort to increase his power, Helton bulked up to about 230 pounds during the offseason. He said the added weight is not a contributing factor to his sore knee.
“No, it has nothing to do with it,” he said.
Talkin’ baseball
The search for the new voice of Coors Field is in homestretch. The Rockies received more than 250 applications and demo tapes for a new public address announcer to replace the departing Alan Roach. The club is processing the applications and tapes now.
The best of the applicants will compete in a live audition at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Sports Column, 1930 Blake Street, in downtown Denver. The public is invited to attend. A panel of judges will select three finalists.
Those three finalists will have their auditions posted online at www.coloradorockies.com by noon Tuesday, allowing Rockies fans 48 hours to vote for their favorite. Roach will announce the winner at 8:50 a.m. on March 16 on 850 KOA.
Homer heaven
Third-base prospect Ian Stewart, the hotshot of last year’s camp, finally got on track Friday, clubbing a go-ahead homer in the ninth. It was his first home run of the spring. He hit five last year when he was named spring training MVP.
“This has been two different springs the game was coming a lot easier for him a year ago,” Hurdle said. “Nothing builds your confidence like a little success. He’s looking for a little success and we’re looking for a little success for him. So that was real good to see.”
Quotable
“I would say Clint was starting to slip and slide into some old habits and (hitting coach) Alan Cockrell and Clint set some time aside and made some adjustments that needed to be made. The swings he fired off in the game today were much crisper, much cleaner and much shorter.”
– Hurdle on shortstop Clint Barmes after Barmes banged a run-scoring double in the second inning.
Staff Writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
