Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd arrived in the clubhouse early Thursday morning wearing a long black coat. It was appropriate for the snow-covered grounds that forced postponement of the series finale against Atlanta until June 16.
His attire also was fitting for a team that has successfully weathered its first storm. After a 1-5 start that coupled them with the underachieving Detroit Tigers — “We both tripped on the rug,” manager Clint Hurdle said — the Rockies packed a three-game winning streak into their carry-on bags for tonight’s game in Phoenix.
It’s a rematch with Arizona, whose sweep spray-painted the Rockies’ opening-weekend celebration with graffiti. It’s Jeff Francis vs. Brandon Webb, the sequel. Ace vs. ace. Power vs. finesse. For April in the NL West, this is as good as it gets.
“We just need to play better. We didn’t play well at all against them last time,” O’Dowd said. “We didn’t hit, we didn’t field, and except for the last game (on Sunday), we didn’t pitch well.”
The Rockies were outscored 20-5 and outhit .306 to .190. The Rockies tonight open a nine-game, three-city road trip. Not only do they face Webb — “It doesn’t seem like we ever miss him,” Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca said — they get their first look at twin ace Dan Haren on Saturday in a nationally televised Fox broadcast.
Outfielder Matt Holliday played down the importance of the series Thursday.
“It’s nothing special. Games against them mean no more than games against the (San Francisco) Giants,” Holliday said.
The Diamondbacks haven’t stopped simmering since leaving Coors Field, having won six in a row. Third baseman Mark Reynolds leads baseball with five home runs.
Colorado is in a better baseball place than a week ago. The offense has perked up, as evidenced by the 23 hits in the last two wins over the Braves. O’Dowd sees Rockies hitters using a better approach.
“Guys are slowing down. There was a high level of expectation coming into this season, and they were trying to do too much,” O’Dowd explained. “From the start of the season, we were getting pounded with fastballs in and sliders away. I do think the at-bats have improved, but we haven’t come anywhere close to showing our ability.”
Hitting instructor Alan Cockrell worked more than four hours with a battery of players on their swings before Wednesday’s game.
“We have talked about looking for pitches in certain areas. We can’t be trying to cover the entire plate on three different types of pitches,” Cockrell said. “They are smart, and very aware of what they need to do.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking Ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Diamondbacks, 7:40 p.m., FSN
Jeff Francis was scheduled to pitch Thursday against the Braves at Coors Field, but that game was postponed until June 16 because of a spring snowstorm. Last year’s 17-game winner has pitched poorly.
“With Jeff, it’s usually not a mechanical issue, because he’s such a feel-type guy,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “I think now he’s a little more relaxed and he’s not putting too much on his own shoulders. I think sometimes that’s what happens to leaders of clubs when you have a successful season. Then the next season they feel the need to be better.” In 6 1/3 innings against Arizona last Saturday, Francis gave up five runs on 12 hits, including three homers. Brandon Webb (2-0, 2.08) won that game, allowing two runs on five hits, and he got 14 groundball outs.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Saturday:
Rockies’ Franklin Morales (0-0, 0.00) vs. D-backs’ Dan Haren (1-0, 3.00), 1:55 p.m., Fox
Sunday:
Rockies’ Aaron Cook (0-1, 3.46) vs. D-backs’ Edgar Gonzalez (0-0, 1.80), 2:10 p.m., KTVD-20
Monday:
Off day
Tuesday:
Rockies’ TBA vs. Padres’ Randy Wolf (0-0, 2.25), 8:05 p.m., FSN
