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.
Tempe, Ariz. – In his penultimate game of spring training, Rockies starter Jeff Francis looked regular-season ready this afternoon against the Angels. The left-hander pitched six innings, giving up one run on seven hits. He struck out two and didn’t issue a walk. In fact, in 22 2/3 spring innings Francis has walked just two batters.
Francis’ final spring start will be Wednesday against the White Sox. He is scheduled to start the second game of the regular season against the Diamondbacks on April 3 at Coors Field.
Inside the game
Manager Clint Hurdle has repeatedly said he’ll find at-bats for Jamey Carroll this season. The starting second baseman last year, Carroll is slated to play a utility role because the Rockies are trying to resurrect the career of second baseman Kaz Matsui.
But don’t be surprised to see Carroll starting games when the Rockies run into a left-handed pitcher. Heading into today’s game, the switch-hitting Matsui was 2-for-10 with three strikeouts against lefties this spring. He hit just .119 against them last season with the Mets and the Rockies. Matsui
batted .299 against right-handers.
Carroll, who hit a career-high .300 last season, hit .359 against left-handers and .283 against right-handers.
It’s a strategy that makes sense, but manager Clint Hurdle said it’s not written in stone.
“It’s something we’ve talked a lot about going in, but I’m never going to paint myself in a corner,” Hurdle said.
By the numbers: 7
When the Rockies open the season on April 2 at Coors Field, they’re expected to start a homegrown lineup. Seven of the nine starters were drafted by the Rockies: Pitcher Aaron Cook (second round, 1997), catcher Chris Iannetta (fourth round, 2004), first baseman Todd Helton (first round, 1995), third baseman Garrett Atkins (fifth round, 2000), shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (first round, 2005), left fielder Matt Holliday (seventh round, 1998) and right fielder Brad Hawpe (11th round, 2000).
The two starters not drafted by Colorado are center fielder Willy Taveras, acquired from the Astros this winter in the Jason Jennings trade, and second baseman Kazuo Matsui, obtained from the Mets last season.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
