The Rockies are determined to get a long look at outfielder Seth Smith and infielder Ian Stewart, playing Stewart at the foreign position of second base Thursday night to wedge his bat into the lineup. Stewart hit his first career triple in the second inning, and Smith posted his second multi-hit game of the road trip. “In the big sequence of events, I really need to get Smith some at-bats and look at him, and (Ryan) Spilborghs is the first man in when (Matt) Holliday and (Brad) Hawpe are not available,” said Hurdle when asked about the possibility of pairing speedsters Willy Taveras and Scott Podsednik in the order.
Stumbling starts:
When Chicago’s Aramis Ramirez doubled in Ryan Theriot, it continued a troubling trend. The Rockies have been outscored 55-31 in the first inning this season, including 14-4 during their last six games.
Single and loving it:
Todd Helton doubled in the fifth inning. Only once this season — on April 5 — has he had a game with multiple extra-base hits.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
