TUCSON — Todd Helton’s body language told the story.
While going 0-for-3 in the Rockies’ 4-1 victory over Seattle on Tuesday afternoon, Helton frequently took extra practice cuts, searching for his proper swing plane. When he grounded into a double play in the fourth, his frustration was evident.
That’s why, an hour after the game, the Rockies’ resident perfectionist took extra batting practice and discussed his swing with manager Clint Hurdle.
“My bat felt really slow in the game, so hopefully I got that fixed,” said Helton, who’s hitting .318 this spring. “I wasn’t in a powerful position hitting, so I was trying to feel that. We’ll see.”
With opening day less than three weeks away, Helton wants to get the kinks out now.
“There is no need to panic or anything like that,” he said. “But it’s also good to get your work in and get better. I felt a little bit better, but it’s still not coming off the bat right.”
Francis shines. What looked like Jeff Francis’ worst inning turned out to be his best. Working into the fifth for the first time this spring, the lefty gave up a leadoff double to Adrian Beltre and a Brad Wilkerson single, putting runners at the corners. But Francis threw a terrific cut fastball inside on Miguel Cairo, forcing him to pop out. Next, Francis got Jamie Burke to ground into a double play, ending the inning.
“I think I made a good pitch, I was able to recognize what Cairo was trying to do,” said Francis, who allowed one run — a solo homer by Richie Sexson — on three hits.
Holliday gets natural exposure. In what could be a first for a Rockie, Matt Holliday will be part of a national TV and magazine ad campaign for Nike’s Sparq — speed, power, agility, reaction, quickness training. A commercial, filmed in New Orleans over the winter, is expected to run today, featuring Holliday, LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, among others.
“It was cool,” Holliday said.
Hawpe, Hirsh hurting. Brad Hawpe sat out Tuesday’s game with a sore flexor tendon in his right elbow, injured while making a throw Monday. Hawpe is expected to miss a few days.
Pitcher Jason Hirsh has undergone an MRI on his right shoulder. He’s confident the injury is just a muscle strain.
“It feels a lot better, so we’ll see,” Hirsh said.
Footnotes. The faith of Rockies” fans can be seen in Sin City. The Las Vegas Hilton set the Rockies” over-under at 83 wins two weeks ago. That number has already jumped to 84 based on those betting the over. Marcus Giles continues to get plenty of playing time with scouts believing he’s being showcased for a trade. Giles signed a minor-league contract this winter.
…Luis Vizcaino will throw today in a minor league, testing his previously tight right elbow.
…Aaron Cook will start that minor league game, leaving Kip Wells to face the White Sox at Tucson Electric Park.
