SAN DIEGO — Ryan Spilborghs swam with the SeaWorld dolphins on Monday. On Wednesday, he ate with the big dogs, hitting with the sluggers during batting practice in preparation for his third start in center field.
Manager Clint Hurdle insists Spilborghs is “not just another fourth outfielder.” As such, he has tried to find more ways to wriggle Spilborghs into a stagnant lineup.
“I am actually OK with the label of fourth outfielder on this team. It would be one thing if I thought I deserved to be playing in front of the guys starting,” Spilborghs said. “But Willy (Taveras) is great, Brad (Hawpe) is great and Matt (Holliday) is average.”
Spilborghs couldn’t resist a crack at his friend. The reality is that the Rockies needed a spark — or more appropriately a blowtorch — to ignite their offense. Spilborghs obliged by walking and scoring in his first at-bat Wednesday — it was only the second time the Rockies have held a first-inning lead. He tripled off the right field wall in the second inning, scoring Chris Iannetta.
Entering Wednesday’s game, no N.L. team had scored fewer runs than Colorado (46) and only the Washington Nationals had a lower batting average than the Rockies’ .235 mark.
Barmes in, Nix nixed.
While it was surprising Clint Barmes wasn’t in the lineup Tuesday, his return Wednesday was not. For the first time this season, rookie second baseman Jayson Nix exhibited poor at-bats, expanding his strike zone. Hurdle gave him a “work day” to iron out some wrinkles in his swing with hitting instructor Alan Cockrell. Nix is hitting just .161 in 31 at-bats.
Barmes kept a narrow vision of his opportunity rather than view it as a chance to show he should be starting.
“I just need to do what I can do and everything will take care of itself,” Barmes said. “I get into trouble when I worry about things that are out of my control.”
Footnotes.
In search of his first win, Jeff Francis returns tonight with an emphasis on establishing his fastball. “My other pitches aren’t effective if I don’t command that pitch,” Francis said. . . . Taveras kept the No. 42 jersey that he wore in Jackie Robinson’s honor. He plans to frame it for his home. . . . Padres general manager Kevin Towers, on Randy Wolf’s performance Tuesday, “He had a sneaky fastball. He can be deceptive, and he really competes.”
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
