Boston – Seventy minutes before Thursday’s first pitch, David Ortiz sat in the corner of the clubhouse with a pen and a smile. He signed an entire box of baseballs for the Rockies, then autographed a jersey for manager Clint Hurdle. The Rockies’ boss had a clubbie carry over a typed letter, thanking Big Papi in advance.
Perhaps the Rockies can send condolences to the 36,939 shivering fans who elbowed into Fenway Park last night. All they did was ruin the Red Sox’s homestand and spoil Josh Beckett’s undefeated record with a 7-1 thrashing of the American League East bullies.
Given the time, the place and the opponent, this ranks as one of the Rockies’ most impressive road trips in recent memory. They went 4-2, besting the Baltimore Orioles and the Red Sox, who began Tuesday tied for the most victories in baseball. They have won four consecutive road series and, more importantly for a team that harbors playoff aspirations, they reached .500 for the first time since April 13.
The only thing missing in the Rockies’ recovery – they were nearly buried at 18-27 three weeks ago – is a home revival. They couldn’t return to Coors Field, where they are 16-17, with much more momentum or confidence.
“Nothing we have done this year makes a whole lot of sense,” said Hurdle, whose team begins a three-game series with the Devil Rays followed by the Yankees’ arrival. “And nobody has been making comments that have panned out. Everybody is retracting, erasing and writing something different now. We haven’t done anything by the book.”
Thursday’s execution, however, was cold and calculating. The Rockies pounded Beckett, who surrendered a season high in hits (10) and runs (six). The Red Sox’s ace had only allowed three home runs entering the game. The Rockies pounded him for two. Matt Holliday’s fourth-inning shot was impressive, but Garrett Atkins’ was the most important.
Slowly emerging from a perplexing season-long funk, Atkins crushed a grand slam in the third inning. This was vintage Atkins. With a short compact swing, he sent a 96-mph fastball fleeing, if not screaming, over the Green Monster. It was Atkins’ fourth-career grand slam.
Jeff Francis worked five scoreless innings for his sixth win. A band of relievers allowed just one run, with nearly every member of the bullpen getting a chance to work out the kinks.
Staff writer Troy Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
