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.
Scottsdale, Ariz. – Watching Byung-Hyun Kim pitch this afternoon was like taking a used car out for a test drive only to have it stall out.
Overloaded at the back of the rotation, the Rockies have been exploring trade possibilities involving Kim. Problem is, he didn’t show well against the Giants. He gave up a leadoff homer to Randy Winn in the first, then gave up six runs on four hits in the second, including a bases-loaded triple to Omar Vizquel and a solo homer to Barry Bonds.
Bonds’ homer, a towering fly to center, was his fourth of the spring. It was Kim who served up homer No. 715 to Bonds last season as Bonds passed Babe Ruth into second place on the all-time list.
Back in Tucson, Josh Fogg, Kim’s prime competitor for the fifth spot in the rotation, pitched for a Double-A Tulsa squad against a Triple-A Colorado Springs team. Fogg went five innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, including a home run. Fogg walked one and struck out six.
Inside the game
One of Kim’s stated objectives this spring was to get tougher on left-handers by pitching inside. Last season, lefties hit .325 with 13 homers against Kim while right-handers hit .265 with five homers.
Today, the Giants’ left-handed bats – Winn, Vizquel and Bonds – hammered Kim.
Injury update
Second baseman Kaz Matsui was out of action again today because of a right forefoot strain. However, he did do some light running and was expected to take some swings in the batting cage. There’s a chance he will be in the lineup Saturday when the Rockies host the Giants at Hi Corbett Field. Matsui injured his foot stepping on a baseball.
Saturday’s starters
The Giants’ Brad Hennessey will start in place of Matt Morris Saturday. The Giants opted for that plan because they wanted to get Hennessey another major league start and also let Morris, a veteran, out of a long bus ride to Tucson. Aaron Cook is scheduled to start for the Rockies.
By the numbers: .500
Sometimes, spring swings don’t mean a thing. But in the case of Rockies first baseman Todd Helton — coming back from a sub-par season, at least by his high standards – spring swings have shown plenty. With six hits in his last nine at-bats, Helton’s hiked his average to .500 (10-for-20). The Rockies’ all-time best spring average (minimum 40 at-bats) belongs to Garrett Atkins. He hit .525 in 2003.
Staff Writer Patrick Saunders
can be reached at 303-954-1428
