It was forever the pink elephant in the room. Or more accurate, the grim-faced purple dinosaur in the corner. The Rockies were terrible on the road.
Now, everything is different. The Rockies embark on a nine-game roadie with their suitcases as their only baggage. Winning 25 of their final 44 games in visiting parks last season, including four in the playoffs, can have a liberating effect.
“It doesn’t matter where we play. With this team, we believe we can win anywhere,” said Jeff Francis, who starts tonight opposite Arizona ace Brandon Webb.
Their confidence, if not their talent, will be tested on this nine-game excursion through Phoenix, San Diego and Houston. The Rockies have a combined 55-91 record at Chase Field, Petco Park and Minute Maid Park.
“The road used to be an issue, but it’s not something we talk about anymore,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said.
Redman improves.
Mark Redman walked through the clubhouse Thursday morning, his swollen right foot improved so much that an X-ray was deemed unnecessary. He is expected to make his next start, likely Thursday in San Diego.
Footnotes.
Reliever Luis Vizcaino, on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, will travel with the Rockies on their road trip and play catch today. . . . Tickets for Thursday’s game are good for the June 16 makeup date or can be exchanged for another game.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
