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 it gets ready for the 2007 season. Check every afternoon for the Rockies Rundown.
Willy Taveras was given a green light at the beginning of spring training. He hasn’t put on the brakes yet.
The center fielder went 3-for-3 through four innings of this afternoon’s game against the Giants, raising his average .387.
Taveras’ ability to add another dimension to the Rockies’ offense was on full display. He singled in the first, scooted to second on a wild pitch, then scored easily on Todd Helton’s single to right. In the second, he reached on an infield single, stole second and scored on Garrett Atkins’ three-run homer.
It was Taveras’ seventh stolen base of the spring. He’s been caught just once.
Inside the game
When the Rockies acquired Taveras from Houston as part of the trade for Jason Jennings, the big question mark concerned his career .329 on-base percentage. That’s not very good for a leadoff man. Through the fourth inning of today’s game his OBP was .457. That’s a spring-training statistic, of course, but it’s an encouraging sign.
Injury update
Kaz Matsui’s sore left foot is on the mend. Although he didn’t start today, he moved well during infield practice and should be able to run at full speed within a day or two. Matsui injured the foot when he stepped on a baseball.
Sunday’s starters
The Rockies make the long drive to Surprise, Ariz., on Sunday to face the Rangers. Lefty Jeff Francis starts for the Rockies against Rangers lefty Bruce Chen.
By the numbers: Nine
By the fifth inning of this afternoon’s game, the Rockies led 10-0 and all nine Rockies starters had reached first base. Seven of the nine had a hit, while Matt Holliday and Chris Iannetta reached on walks.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
