PHILADELPHIA — The last time the Rockies played here, Citizens Bank Park was, “A sea of red. I thought it was a Cornhuskers’ football game.”
That’s the memory conjured up by Rockies manager Clint Hurdle this afternoon when asked for his thoughts about returning to Philadelphia where his club took two straight games from the Phillies in last season’s NLDS.
A lot’s changed since then. Last fall, the Rockies were in the midst of a miraculous 21-of-22 streak en route to the World Series. The 2008 Rockies are 20-30 heading into tonight’s game.
The lineup’s vastly different, too. Third baseman Garrett Atkins won’t start for the third straight game. He’s fighting a stiff neck. He might be available for pinch-hit duties tonight and there’s a chance he could start Tuesday night’s game.
Starting in Atkins’ place at third is Jeff Baker, who’s really struggling at the plate. His recent 0-for-9 slump leaves him hitting just .200.
Also missing from the playoff team that swept the Phillies are Matt Holliday (hamstring), Brad Hawpe (hamstring) and Kazuo Matsui, who hit a pivotal grand slam in Game 2. Matsui now plays for Houston.
Tonight, the Rockies face 45-year-old lefty Jamie Moyer, a pitcher Hurdle calls “a master craftsman.” The key for the Rockies will be patience at the plate.
Here are tonight’s lineups:
Rockies
CF Willy Taveras
2B Jonathan Herrera
1B Todd Helton
LF Ryan Spilborghs
3B Jeff Baker
RF Seth Smith
C Yorvit Torrealba
SS Omar Quintanilla
LHP Jorge De La Rosa
Phillies
SS Jimmy Rollins
CF Shane Victorino
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
LF Pat Burrell
3B Pedro Feliz
C Chris Coste
RF So Taguchi
LHP Jamie Moyer
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
