Consistency is behind the success. That’s the easy explanation for why the Rockies are in position to win their seventh straight game for the first time since Sept. 12, 1998.
There is, however, another element at work: energy.
As the Rockies reached their abyss, falling nine games under .500 last Monday at Arizona, the team badly needed a jolt. Two players, in particular, continue to be singled out by teammates for providing a rush of caffeine: shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and reserve outfielder Ryan Spil- borghs.
A week ago today, Tulowitzki plated the winning runs against Arizona. Spilborghs provided an insurance run. Both came through in San Francisco on separate nights. That they have delivered isn’t as important as how. These two ooze confidence, play at a higher RPM.
“Tulo has brought a lot of energy,” veteran Todd Helton said.
No young Rockies player has ever been as self-assured as Tulowitzki. Just 22, he called Colorado’s start “troubling and disturbing.” Why? He’s never been on a losing team in his life. That goes a long way in understanding why he’s hitting .272 and a leading contender for the NL rookie of the year award.
Spilborghs, meanwhile, is everything a quirky reserve should be: His hair is constantly disheveled, and he’s quick with the one-liners. After helping the Rockies win the Arizona series, he said Colorado could have easily swept the Diamondbacks.
It was refreshing candor.
“If my style is considered a Red Bull kind of thing, I love the compliment. That’s just how I play,” Spilborghs said. “I am just trying to contribute.”
And in the process, reminding his teammates that they are playing a game for a living.
“I really think having ‘Spilly’ around has helped. Not just on the bench, but goofing around in the locker room, having fun on the bus,” Matt Holliday said. “He makes everything a little lighter.”
Lopez in, Fogg out
Rodrigo Lopez returns tonight after missing the past six weeks with an elbow injury. He left his rehab assignment pleased with his fastball command, convinced he can throw 100 pitches tonight and continue the run he was on before he left.
“I don’t see why I can’t pitch well and do the same things I was doing before,” Lopez said.
Fogg, out with a strained left groin, was placed on the disabled list over concerns about his ability to field his position and a shortage in the bullpen. Manny Corpas went to Panama for an uncle’s funeral and won’t be available until Wednesday.
That’s why Ryan Speier was called up just for Monday’s game, then returned to Triple-A. Fogg wants to avoid a rehab stint since his injury is not arm-related, with an eye toward rejoining the rotation June 7.
“I really, strongly don’t want to go on a rehab assignment. I don’t think since I have been able to throw from Day One that I need to,” Fogg said.
Manager Clint Hurdle said it’s possible that Fogg won’t require a minor-league tuneup.
Footnotes
With the Cardinals not likely to get pitchers Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder back until August, their rotation remains a work in progress. … Ever the team player, Jamey Carroll signs autographs before every home game and actually threw on a catcher’s mask and warmed up Jeff Francis before the eighth inning.
