Although the early-season results don’t reflect it, the Rockies are one of the most aggressive and effective first-pitch hitting teams in baseball.
Matt Holliday won Monday night’s game in the eighth inning by jacking the first pitch he saw from Blaine Boyer over the center-field wall for a two-run homer.
“That first pitch is usually a strike and often a fastball, and I’m an aggressive hitter, so I like to swing at the first pitch a lot,” Holliday said. Entering Tuesday’s game, Holliday owned a career .405 average on the first pitch of an at-bat. That ranks him eighth in the majors. Three other Rockies are ranked in the top 11: Brad Hawpe (.421), Willy Taveras (.420) and Todd Helton (.403).
Caught stealing.
As per manager Clint Hurdle’s plan, Troy Tulowitzki is trying to steal more bases out of the No. 2 hole. But after getting thrown out in the third inning Tuesday, Tulowitzki is just 1-for-3.
Hot Helton:
Helton doubled to right field in the first and singled to center in the third, and finished the night going 2-for-3, boosting his average to .333. He’s the only Rockie to reach base in all eight games this season.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
