When Brad Hawpe finds his groove, his silky swing packs dynamite.
Entering Thursday, he had hit home runs in three straight games and hit seven total homers in May. Some bombs were pulled to right field, others taken the opposite way, an illustration of Hawpe’s versatile power.
His power surge is not lost on Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.
“He’s got talent, but a lot of that comes from experience and getting a number of at-bats,” La Russa said. “I think it’s about being able to make adjustments.”
Considering that Hawpe didn’t hit his first homer of the season until April 29, he has turned his season around in a hurry with subtle tweaks to his long swing.
“He’s getting good looks, but I do think his swing is a little different,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “The leg kick is not as violent, and I think he’s condensed his swing to a small degree. He’s in a comfort zone … He’s in a good place right now. It’s a welcome sight.”
Hawpe entered Thursday’s game on a nine-game hitting streak, hiking his average from .271 to .292. Never one to overanalyze his game, Hawpe provided a simple explanation for his hot streak.
“I guess the only difference would be not thinking too much, just trying to find a good pitch and drive it,” he said.
Turf talk
When former Rockie Aaron Miles returned to Coors Field this week as a Cardinal, one thing caught his attention.
“Immediately I saw the length of the grass, and how thick it was,” Miles said. “That’s great for the pitchers, not so much for the hitters. Even the dirt itself doesn’t seem quite as hard. But this is a big outfield here, so maybe you take something away from the infield.”
Rockies first baseman Todd Helton agreed.
“Yeah, it’s way thick and way high,” Helton said. “I can tell the difference.”
Miles sees a long-term plan hiding in the green grass.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” Miles said. “I think they are maybe trying to appeal to some of the pitchers out there on the free-agent market who might be reluctant to come here.”
Footnotes
Josh Fogg, on the disabled list with a strained groin, wasn’t eager to pitch a minor-league rehab game. Nonetheless, he’s headed to Oklahoma City on Saturday and will start for Triple-A Colorado Springs. Hurdle said the club wants to see how Fogg’s groin responds in a live-game situation. If all goes well, Fogg will rejoin the rotation next week. … Willy Taveras missed another start because of a lacerated right index finger. He could return tonight.
