LOS ANGELES — Perhaps no one symbolizes the Rockies’ sturggles this season more than pitcher Jeff Francis.
The left-hander tied a franchise record with 17 victories last season, evolved into an ace and earned an opening-day start this year. Yet a week into June, he still has only one win this season.
He will attempt to break the Rockies’ 13-game road losing skid and eight-game losing streak overall when he faces struggling Los Angeles starter Brad Penny tonight at Dodger Stadium.
Manager Clint Hurdle has repeated that for Francis to get back on track, he must improve his fastball command, particularly on the inner half of the plate.
There’s a feeling that Francis has become too predictable to hitters, which has accelerated his slump.
Penny has lost only once to the Rockies since 2005, but has gotten off track over the past month. He has lost some fastball velocity and is missing more frequently up in the strike zone.
A look at tonight’s Rockies lineup:
CF Podsednik
RF Smith
LF Spilborghs
1B Helton
3B Atkins
2B Stewart
C Torrealba
SS Quintanilla
LHP Francis
Footnote
Right-handed reliever Ryan Speier said he will be activate for tonight’s game. Speier proved his bruised shoulder is healthy during a rehab assignment with Class A-Asheville. He sustained the injury when struck be a line drive in his pitching shoulder by San Diego’s Tadihito Iguchi in mid-May.
Alberto Arias has been optioned to the minor-leagues to make room for Speier in the bullpen, according to the lineup card posted Tuesday.
