Tucson – Jeff Francis could learn as soon as this afternoon if he will be disciplined for his role in Tuesday’s brush-up with the Padres.
Bob Watson, Major League Baseball’s discipline czar, is reviewing the umpire’s report.
Based on precedent, Francis is likely to be suspended for five regular-season games or one start after being ejected for throwing behind Kevin Kouzmanoff after warnings were issued to both dugouts. Because of amendments to the new collective bargaining agreement, the Rockies could immediately feel the impact of Francis’ suspension. Appeals of suspensions of five games or fewer to starting pitchers must be held by video conference within 10 days of the ruling, according to Watson.
A player maintains the right to have a hearing in person if he can make himself available in New York within 30 days of his appeal. The Rockies travel to New York from April 23-25. In the past, appeals often would drag out, with teams waiting until they traveled to New York, which could occur months after the suspension.
Francis said he would not comment until after official word regarding the suspension.
Hirsh rebounds
Rookie right-hander Jason Hirsh, in the running to be the fourth starter, walked the first three Oakland batters he faced Thursday. But he rebounded, throwing off-speed pitches in hitter’s counts. Hirsh went five innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out three in the Rockies’ 5-2 win.
In the first inning, Hirsh threw 24 pitches, nine for strikes. But he avoided a complete meltdown by inducing a double play and striking out Oakland’s Nick Swisher to escape with a one-run inning.
Hirsh said he came in tight and tried to overthrow.
“That first inning was kind of weird,” he said. “I felt a lot of (tension) in my shoulders and the ball was real forced. I took a deep breath and I could feel the tension let go.”
Hurdle said Hirsh showed him “the bitter and the sweet.”
“He kept his composure and he didn’t rattle or let things get away from him,” Hurdle said. “It was nice to see how he responded, I guess. But I’d rather not see anybody walk the first three batters.”
Footnotes
Second baseman Kaz Matsui has missed the past two games because of a right forefoot strain. Matsui injured his foot stepping on a baseball. He is listed as day to day. His absence allowed Jamey Carroll more playing time. Carroll, hitting .111, went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and one run scored. … Rockies center fielder Steve Finley got tossed in the third inning for arguing a strikeout. … A’s starter Rich Harden struck out nine of the 14 batters he faced before exiting in the fourth. Matt Holliday called Harden’s stuff “filthy” and was impressed with the right-hander’s split-finger fastball.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
ROCKIES 5, ATHLETICS 2
OAKLAND COLORADO
AB R H B I AB R H BI
Kendall c 2 1 0 0 Finley cf 2 0 0 0
Powell c 1 0 0 0 Gomez cf 1 0 1 0
Stewart lf 2 0 1 0 Carroll 2b 3 1 0 1
Halsey p 0 0 0 0 Dragicevih 2b 0 0 0 0
Brown ph 1 0 0 0 Atkins 3b 4 0 1 0
Marshall p 0 0 0 0 Ramirez p 0 0 0 0
Bradley cf 2 0 1 0 Corpas p 0 0 0 0
Thomas pr-cf 1 1 0 0 Helton 1b 3 0 1 1
Chavez 3b 3 0 1 0 Fuentes p 0 0 0 0
Murphy pr-3b 1 0 0 0 Gil c 1 0 0 0
Swisher rf 2 0 0 0 Holliday lf 4 2 1 0
Goleski pr-rf 0 0 0 0 Czarniecki lf 0 0 0 0
Ellis 2b 3 0 1 0 Hawpe rf 4 0 1 0
APerez 2b 1 0 1 0 Gaetti rf 0 0 0 0
Johnson 1b 2 0 0 0 Tulowitzki ss 4 0 1 0
Barton 1b 1 0 0 0 Torrealba c 3 1 2 1
Scutaro ss 2 0 1 0 Hawkins p 0 0 0 0
Buck lf 2 0 0 0 Menechino 3b 1 0 1 1
Harden p 1 0 0 0 Hirsh p 1 0 0 0
Ramirez p 0 0 0 0 Bellorin pr 0 1 0 0
Merloni ph-ss 2 0 0 0 Almonte 1b 2 0 0 0
Totals 29 2 6 0 Totals 33 5 9 4
Oakland 100 001 000 – 2
Colorado 000 121 01x – 5
E – Halsey, Merloni, Johnson. DP – Oakland 1, Colorado 2.LOB – Oakland 6, Colorado 7. 2B – Scutaro, Stewart, Bradley, Hawpe, Holliday. SB – Holliday, Carroll. CS – Murphy, Goleski. S – Hirsh.
Oakland IP H R ER BB SO
Harden 3 2 1 1 1 9
Ramirez 1 0 0 0 0
Halsey, L 3 4 3 0 1 2
Marshall 1 2 1 1 0 1
Colorado IP H R ER BB SO
Hirsh, W 5 3 1 1 3 3
Fuentes 1 2 1 1 1 0
Hawkins 1 0 0 0 1 1
Ramirez 1 0 0 0 0 0
Corpas, S 1 1 0 0 1 1
WP – Harden, Fuentes. PB – Powell.
T – 2:37. A – 4,391.
