Phoenix – Todd Helton is no stranger to superstition. He once shaved his Fu Manchu moustache during a game after going hitless in his first two at-bats. If he finds something that works, he sticks to it.
So it was on Friday the 13th this man of odd rituals reached a memorable personal milestone as the Rockies clubbed the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-3 at Chase Field.
“It’s a large number, no question about that,” said Helton, referring to his RBI total. “And it obviously feels better to do it in a win.”
With singles in the third and fifth innings, Helton plated two runs, reaching 1,000 RBIs for his career. Both were big hits for a team that limped into Arizona, hamstrung by its inability to produce with runners in scoring position.
Helton’s hits came at the expense of reigning Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb, whose drive to repeat is being sabotaged by the Rockies. He has given up 10 runs to Colorado in two starts. Brad Hawpe provided the final hammer, lining a two-run double to right field to end the seventh inning.
Josh Fogg pitched well, though if you blinked you missed it. One mistake limited him to five innings. After surrendering a two-run home run to Eric Byrnes, Fogg was yanked after 69 pitches and three runs. Reliever Jeremy Affeldt recorded the win, with Brian Fuentes posting his second save.
Lawrence decision gets closer
Brian Lawrence met with manager Clint Hurdle and assistant general manager Bill Geivett for 20 minutes Friday, trying to determine his next move. Lawrence said after Friday’s game that he expects resolution on Saturday.
“Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Lawrence, who can refuse to remain on his rehab assignment and become a free agent if not guaranteed a roster spot soon with the Rockies.
Hurdle personally recruited Lawrence over the winter and said: “I’d still like to see him pitch in a Rockies uniform.”
Footnotes
Hurdle shook up the lineup Friday, starting Steve Finley in center field and John Mabry at third base. He plans to give third baseman Garrett Atkins a few more days off this season to keep him fresher. “It’s up to the skipper. I hope it doesn’t happen too often, but I know it’s going to happen some,” Atkins said…. Center fielder Willy Taveras is expected to return to the lineup today. Hurdle said he would give Taveras at least 100 at-bats, if not more, before he would consider moving him from the leadoff spot.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
