Facing a left-hander tonight, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle tweaked his lineup, shifting third baseman Garrett Atkins to the cleanup spot and dropping Todd Helton to fifth.
Hurdle indicated that the move was related directly to Atkins’ numbers against left-handers this season; he’s hitting them at a near-.500 clip.
Ryan Spilborghs is also starting in right field, taking over for the slumping Brad Hawpe.
Hurdle has talked individually with Hawpe over the last two days over making corrections in his swing. Hawpe is expected to return to the lineup tomorrow.
A look at the full Rockies lineup tonight against the San Francisco Giants:
CF — Taveras
SS — Barmes
LF — Holliday
3B — Atkins
1B — Helton
RF — Spilborghs
2B — Baker
C — Torrealba
LHP De La Rosa
