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.
Phoenix – A desert cloudburst, complete with hail and lightning, halted the Rockies-Brewers game this afternoon. When the game was called, the Rockies were leading 2-0 on John Mabry’s two-run homer in the second.
The ugly weather spoiled what was shaping up to be a beautiful outing for Rockies pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim. In three innings, he allowed no runs on one hit, had two two-out walks, and struck out three.
Kim, the subject of trade talks, is fighting for a fifth-starter job with the Rockies. With so much on the line, Kim needed a good performance. Scheduled to throw 100 pitches, Kim threw 52, showing his best stuff of the spring.
“He was going to go more than three (innings), but he had three quality innings of work,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He looked good.”
Kim said he didn’t consider today’s starter any more important than other starts this spring.
“Every game I pitch is important to me, there’s no difference,” he said.
Inside the game
Kim’s problem throughout this spring, and throughout his career, has been his lack of ability to throw inside to right-handers. The game plan has been for Kim to throw two-seam fastballs (sinkers) in on right-handers, but that plan was scrapped today.
“He hasn’t doesn’t have the feel for that pitch, yet,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “So I said, ‘Just throw the four-seamer, that’s got movement.'”
Kim acknowledged he’s much more comfortable throwing four-seamers and that comfort level paid off for him today.
“Yes, I threw that more, it’s my better pitch,” Kim said.
By the numbers: 3
That’s the number of spring homers for Mabry, who’s hoping to make the roster as a utility player and pinch-hitter. So although the rain washed out the game, it was a good day for Mabry, who entered the game hitting .364.
“Mabry swung the bat very well today, so that’s a plus,” Hurdle said.
Staff Writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
