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.
Jeff Francis’ smooth-as-silk spring turned rough this afternoon against the Padres.
The left-hander, competing with Aaron Cook for the opening-day start, held opponents to a .217 average in his first two A-game starts. But the Padres bombed him for four runs on five straight hits in the first inning. Khalil Greene and Kevin Kousmanoff hit consecutive RBI-doubles off Francis.
In the fourth, Manny Alexander drilled a solo homer to left.
Francis’ final line: 4.2 innings, seven hits, five earned runs, two walks and three strikeouts.
Helton homers
Todd Helton has been quietly honing his swing, hitting pitches the opposite way and slapping singles up the middle. He entered today’s game with a .500 average (7-for-14), but with no extra-base hits.
That changed in a hurry in the first inning when he blasted a David Wells cutter over the right-field wall for a three-run homer. It was the first indication that Helton’s increased bulk – he’s up to 230 pounds – has added pop to his bat.
Inside the game
For the Rockies to have a realistic shot of competing in the National League West this season, they must improve their hitting with runners in scoring position. Going into this afternoon’s game, RISP has been a reliable measure of the Rockies’ fate. In their eight victories, the Rockies batted .361 with runners in scoring position. In their five losses they hit just .260.
Quotable
“I’ve seen some improvement receiving. We know he’s got arm strength. The accuracy is there. At times, that’s just going to be a work in progress for any young catcher. Most of the staff is back, so he’s got experience there. He made a lot of strides over the winter. He doesn’t ask as many questions.”
– Manager Clint Hurdle on the progress of rookie catcher Chris Iannetta
Staff Writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
