San Diego – Speed thrills and speed chills. And the Rockies are doing their best to make it an everyday element of their game plan.
“Speed throws a different dynamic at you,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “When we use it as a tool, it becomes a weapon that teams have to reckon with.”
In their first four games, the Rockies went 4-for-5 in stolen-base attempts. Center fielder Willy Taveras and second baseman Kaz Matsui entered Saturday night’s game 2-for-2 in stolen bases. Last season, the Rockies didn’t record their fourth steal until their 14th game on April 18.
Matsui is off to a flying starter, hitting .462 (6-for-13) with a triple and three RBIs. His ability to beat out grounders for infield hits makes him even more valuable.
However, the switch-hitting Matsui still struggles from the right side against left-handers. That’s why, with southpaw David Wells starting for the Padres on Saturday night, Matsui was replaced in the starting lineup by Jamey Carroll.
“Kaz needs to tighten up his stroke right-handed, so we can play him against left-handers,” Hurdle said. “Because his speed is dynamic. I talked to him about that today.”
Taveras is a sight to behold when he’s flying around the bases. The leadoff hitter was on base three times in the first four games and scored all three times. However, he must get on base with more consistency. He entered Saturday’s game hitting .083 (1-for-12) with seven strikeouts. His on-base percentage was .214.
Capellan on radar
The Rockies remain interested in disgruntled Brewers reliever Jose Capellan. Capellan, acquired from Atlanta in the Dan Kolb trade, requested a trade after failing to break camp with the Brewers. He reported to Triple-A Nashville, but hasn’t backed down from his desire to be moved. Colorado is seeking to upgrade its bullpen and also has interest in left-hander Ron Villone. Capellan, who reaches 95 mph on his fastball, posted a 4.40 ERA in 61 appearances last season.
Footnotes
Saturday afternoon, rookie Jason Hirsh was still basking in the glow of his Friday night start in which he outpitched Padres starter Greg Maddux. The secret of Hirsh’s success? “My changeup,” he said. “It was my No. 1 pitch by far. I felt like I could throw it in any count. I even threw it in some 3-2 situations.”
Rockies recap
Starting pitching is supposed to be the Rockies’ weak link this season, but after one tour through the rotation, it’s held up remarkably well. When fifth starter Josh Fogg pitched through the sixth inning Saturday night, it marked the first time in club history that all five starters began the season by throwing at least six innings.
HEAVY AIR: Petco Park lived up to its reputation as a pitcher’s park Saturday night. Balls that likely would have flown out of other parks were caught at the warning track at Petco. The prime example came in the fifth when Padres center fielder Mike Cameron smashed a ball down the left-field line. The crowd let out a premature home run cheer but groaned when Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday caught the ball at the base of the fence. In the second, Colorado’s Jeff Baker drilled a line drive toward the gap, only to see the ball die in right fielder Brian Giles’ glove.
CARROLL COMES THROUGH: Although Kaz Matsui has supplanted Jamey Carroll as the starting second baseman, Carroll continues to produce at the plate. His two-run single in the third gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead. In his first start on Wednesday, Carroll reached base five times on three hits and two walks.
