When the Rockies brought John Mabry and Steve Finley on board during the offseason, the team was hoping for two veterans who could produce in a pinch. Thus far, it hasn’t worked out.
Thursday, Mabry struck out to end the game with Yorvit Torrealba standing on second base. As a pinch-hitter, Mabry is 1-for-21 with two walks. Finley has fared better: 3-for-13 with a homer and three walks.
After Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Diamondbacks, manager Clint Hurdle admitted that as he takes inventory of the first quarter of the season, he faces a predicament.
“We thought we had people in place (as pinch hitters) but that’s one of the many areas that we’ve been very inconsistent in and haven’t gotten the production we would like to have,” Hurdle said.
However, bringing up players – such as Alexis Gomez (currently on the disabled list) or Ryan Spilborghs – from Triple-A Colorado Springs might prove counterproductive.
“You are taking a player that is getting opportunities every day into a limited-opportunity situation,” Hurdle said. “But those are conversations you need to have to make your roster what it needs to be.”
Q on course
Omar Quintanilla has taken over as the starting second baseman for the foreseeable future, or until Kaz Matsui returns from injury. Quintanilla’s sparkling fielding and improved production at the plate (.257 average), combined with Jamey Carroll’s struggles (.176), forced Hurdle to go with Quintanilla.
Asked if he’s going to continue riding with Quintanilla as his everyday second baseman, Hurdle said: “I think so. That’s the way I feel right now.”
Post-trade talk
When the Royals open a three-game interleague series against the Rockies tonight, Kansas City’s Ryan Shealy and Rockies reliever Jeremy Affeldt, the main principles in last year’s trade-deadline swap, will meet up with their old teams.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everybody,” said Shealy, who will likely start at first base. “The coaching staff and everyone there was really good to me.”
Shealy, slowed by a hamstring injury, came off the disabled list Wednesday. He’s played in just 19 games, hitting .148 with one homer and six RBIs.
