Though satisfied with his patience at the plate, and though he believed he was seeing the ball well, Clint Barmes was stuck in an 11-for-59 (.186) rut since coming back from the disabled list on June 23. Barmes broke out big-time Thursday night, hitting a double down the left-field line in the fifth and a triple to deep center in the sixth.
Tulo time.
In his second rehab start with Double-A Tulsa, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had a single in five at-bats in the Drillers’ 7-2 loss to Springfield (Mo.). Tulo is 2-for-9 (.222) in two games. Out with a laceration to his right palm suffered on July 4, he is expected to rejoin the Rockies for Monday night’s game against the Dodgers.
Hammering lefties.
Garrett Atkins continues to pound left- handed pitching. He entered Thursday’s game hitting .461 vs. southpaws, best in the majors. In the Rockies’ three-run sixth, he belted an RBI double off Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
