About right field? No, Clint Barmes admitted, he had never played it in pro ball. College, high school, but never when he was getting paid. He started in right field to give the tired legs of Brad Hawpe a rest against left-hander Zach Duke. Barmes, who’s arguably the Rockies’ best athlete, handled the position seamlessly for six innings, making all the plays and cut throws. The only concern? “I had to borrow (Cory) Sullivan’s metal spikes because of the wet grass,” Barmes said. “I didn’t want to slip on a throw.”
Wrong gear.
For the third time in six road games, the Rockies had a baserunning blunder. Willy Taveras let up as he approached second base in the fifth inning, thinking Jeff Baker’s shot was a base hit. Shortstop Jack Wilson gloved it and threw out Taveras.
Looking Ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Marlins, 5:10 p.m., FSN
Jorge De La Rosa (5-5, 6.20 ERA) is inconsistent. In his five wins, he owns a 3.07 ERA. In his five losses, he hasn’t lasted five innings once.
The left-hander has won his past two starts, blending in an effective curveball, slider and cut fastball. De La Rosa beat the Marlins on July 5 at Coors Field. Anibal Sanchez, of no-hitter fame in 2006, is making his season debut while quarreling with management over lost service time about being demoted when he says he was hurt last season.
