Ignore for a moment that Rockies pitcher Taylor Buchholz secured another start this week with seven terrific innings. Forget for now that manager Clint Hurdle didn’t have to issue an apology or assume blame for an ill-advised bullpen decision, spared by Brian Fuentes’ one-out save.
Set aside, too, that a long overdue roster massage began with Ryan Spilborghs’ arrival and John Mabry’s exit.
Nothing better reflected the magnitude of Saturday night’s victory than this: three mammoth home runs. The Rockies trumped the Kansas City Royals 6-4 at Coors Field with muscle and offense, two traits painfully absent this season.
Brad Hawpe, Todd Helton and, most notably, Garrett Atkins went deep. Atkins ended a 29-game, 113-at-bat drought dating to April 14. The power amplified a trend that has defined the Rockies’ season: They are 17-5 when they score at least four runs, 1-20 when they don’t.
If the Rockies are to exit the National League West basement – a one-bedroom flat they’ve been subletting since April 20 – they need more offense.
“It felt like it’s been a while since I hit one. I wasn’t sure how to act,” deadpanned Atkins of his first home run at Coors Field this season. “You can only play so many one- run, two-run games. We have to give our pitchers some breathing room.”
That the Rockies are just 4-5 on this homestand and falling dangerously behind in the division can’t be pinned on the starters. With Buchholz’s strong outing – no earned runs, two walks – the rotation has a 3.67 ERA over the past nine games.
The Rockies’ overall pitching numbers are troubling – a 4.88 ERA, an NL-worst nine blown saves – but they have used more arms (21) than any other team in baseball.
Rodrigo Lopez should be back May 29, possibly pushing Buchholz back into the bullpen. And reliever LaTroy Hawkins will rejoin the team Tuesday.
Still, it keeps coming back to the bats. A slow start became a glaring concern when Kaz Matsui got hurt – he should return Monday – and Atkins, in particular, scuffled. In his first slump since Double-A, Atkins has worked hard in batting practice at letting the ball travel deeper, forcing him to hit to the opposite field. His average sits at .240, though he is showing signs of revival.
After hitting one home run in the first 39 games, Hawpe has clubbed three in his past four starts. He wrung out seven pitches from Kansas City starter Gil Meche before smoking an 83 mph changeup over the center-field fence.
That fourth-inning swing helped ease the sting of Friday’s debacle, when Hurdle overmanaged and ultimately pointed the finger at himself for removing starter Jeff Francis after 74 pitches.
“I think it’s a sign of maturity the way we played (tonight), that we can keep going,” Hawpe said.
Ryan Shealy’s three-run homer off Rockies reliever Ramon Ramirez created an eerie flashback to Friday. However, Fuentes entered and made the save.
“We are working hard every day to get where we want to get, and it’s not just to compete, it’s to win the division,” Hurdle said. “Our expectations have not changed.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renckcan be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
