PHOENIX – In order to get his star shortstop started, manager Clint Hurdle stopped him Sunday.
A struggling Troy Tulowitzki was replaced in the lineup by Clint Barmes in the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the hope that a breather will help one of the game’s best young players get back on track.
“It’s more a break mentally than anything else,” Hurdle said. “He’s in a good place. He has made good self-evaluation.”
Tulowitzki knew this was a possibility after going hitless in the first two games against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s batting .159 and doesn’t have a hit with runners in scoring position this season. It doesn’t mean he likes watching.
“Obviously, it’s his decision. If said I was happy about it, I would be lying,” Tulowitzki said. “I would like to be in there every day. But I will cheer on my teammates and do whatever I can to help us win.”
Tulowitzki started slowly last April, hitting .244. A benching at the end of the month in New York sparked a remarkable revival a year ago. The difference this season, explained Tulowitzki, is “that I feel like I am better player than I was then.”
Barmes’ addition is the only change to the lineup as the Rockies try to avoid a second consecutive sweep by the Diamondbacks. After a two-game experiment, Garrett Atkins was switched back to the fifth spot:
Rockies (4-7, lost two straight and five straight to Arizona this season)
CF Willy Taveras.242
SS Clint Barmes.600
1B Todd Helton.317
LF Matt Holliday.310
3B Garrett Atkins.268
RF Brad Hawpe.226
C Yorvit Torrealba.207
2B Jayson Nix.160
RHP Aaron Cook0-1, 3.46
Diamondbacks (9-2, won eight straight)
LF Eric Byrnes.311
1B Chris Burke.167
2B Orlando Hudson.279
3B Mark Reynolds.302
RF Justin Upton.415
SS Stephen Drew.270
C Chris Snyder.111
CF Jeff Salazar.333
RHP Edgar Gonzalez0-0, 1.80
Troy Renck can be reaced at trenck@denverpost.com
