Phoenix – The Rockies added injury to insult Sunday, completing a difficult road trip with a 6-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks as they lost two players to the trainer’s room.
Before the game, second baseman Kaz Matsui, arguably the team’s best offensive force this season, went on the 15-day disabled list with lower back spasms. He hopes to be playing again in a week, but the Rockies couldn’t wait since they had no reserve middle infielder.
Pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim exited in the fifth inning with a right thumb contusion, appearing to suffer the injury in his last at-bat. Kim didn’t enhance his trade value, tagged for five runs and two Tony Clark home runs in three innings. Kim’s a candidate for the DL, which could clear a roster spot for Brian Lawrence, who made his final rehab start today in Tucson.
While the injuries were frustrating, the team’s close losses are becoming annoying. The Rockies are 2-6 in games decided by two runs or less. The Rockies scored all four of their runs in the first three innings, including one on Todd Helton’s first home run of the season.
Colorado, 5-7 overall after a 3-6 road trip, returns home Monday for a two-game series against the San Francisco Giants.
Staff writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
