Chris Iannetta was on the bench instead of behind the plate Sunday afternoon. That spoke volumes about the offensive funk in which the rookie catcher finds himself.
Typically, the second-string catcher suits up for a day game following a night game, but first- stringer Yorvit Torrealba played in the Rockies’ 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Manager Clint Hurdle said he’s giving Iannetta extra time to work on swing mechanics. When Hurdle was asked if there’s a chance Iannetta might be sent down to Triple-A Colorado Springs, Hurdle was purposely vague.
“There are some things I can’t share with you and I don’t want to share with you,” he said. “We are trying to mix and match this so that we don’t hurt Chris and we don’t hurt the ballclub. And that’s where we are. It’s a very fine line. Are we getting close to crossing it? Maybe.”
Hitless in his past 27 at-bats, Iannetta’s average has tumbled from .218 to .181.
“I’m not happy with my performance, and this is not where I wanted to be at this stage of the season,” said Iannetta, 24, who was touted as the starter during spring training. “But I’m not frustrated. The team is playing well, and I think I’m contributing well with my defense.”
Iannetta insists he has not lost confidence, and he doesn’t believe a stint in the minors would help.
“I haven’t doubted myself,” he said. “I know I can play at this level. I think that getting at-bats up here will help me.”
Rotation in motion
It appears likely that rookie Jason Hirsh will start Thursday at Florida, replacing Rodrigo Lopez, who felt tightness in his right forearm during his start against San Diego last Thursday. Lopez will have an MRI on his forearm today.
Hirsh, fresh off a three-game rehab start with Triple-A Colorado Springs, tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings Saturday night, feeling no ill effects from a sprained ankle suffered July 2.
“The ankle’s perfect, it doesn’t hurt a bit,” he said. “I had pretty good stuff and my velocity was back.”
Under direct orders from the Rockies, Hirsh threw mostly fastballs and sliders, shying away from his changeup.
“I think I have more confidence in his fastball than he does,” Hurdle said. “And that’s the point I’m trying to make to him.”
Matsui sits
Struggling second baseman Kaz Matsui also took a seat Sunday as Jamey Carroll got the start at second base. Before rapping a solid pinch-hit single in the seventh inning, Matsui had just three hits in his past 29 at-bats.
“He hasn’t been showing the ability to hit the ball hard the other way,” Hurdle said. “You never like that, but it’s something you have to deal with. But he’s a pro, and he’ll find his way back.”
Crowded house
Sunday’s National League West showdown attracted a walk-up crowd of 6,608, a record for a Sunday game at Coors Field. During the six-game homestand against the San Diego Padres and Dodgers, the Rockies drew an average of 35,267 fans per game.
