PITTSBURGH — Troy Tulowitzki has never played on a team with a losing record. He has never had a bad season in any sport, let alone baseball.
So perhaps he’s the least surprised at his revival. Criticized for landing on the disabled list after breaking a bat in his hand, Tulowitzki has taken out his vengeance on opposing pitchers since his return.
The shortstop went 3-for-4 in Wednesday’s 7-4 victory. He has 20 hits in his last 36 at-bats, raising his average to .241, his highest since April 3.
“I think a lot of people out there didn’t believe in me. But I believe in myself,” said Tulowitzki, who has been spotless defensively over his past 19 games. “I knew that my swing was headed in the right direction.”
Tulowitzki made two important adjustments: He opened his stance with his front foot, leaving him in better position to handle inside fastballs. And he has shown more patience, drawing eight walks in his last 16 games.
The wins, not the stats, are helping soothe lingering wounds from Tulowitzki’s difficult start.
“Anytime you can contribute, it’s a good feeling,” Tulowitzki said.
Fuentes stays calm.
Closer Brian Fuentes has handled the rumor mill maturely, his only concern centering on his wife, Barbara, who is seven months pregnant with the couple’s fourth child.
“Up to the trading deadline she can still travel,” Fuentes said. “It would be tough for her to move, but she’s been totally supportive.”
No more headfirst slides.
Staring down at his red and swollen pinky finger, Scott Podsednik admitted he might thumb his nose permanently at the headfirst slide. Podsednik suffered the nondisplaced fractured while stealing second base last Saturday. He will visit the Rockies’ hand specialist today in Denver, and hopes to return from the DL in roughly three weeks.
“I am thinking about going feet first from now on,” Podsednik said. “I just have always felt slower doing it.”
Footnotes.
Willy Taveras predicted he will steal at least 70 bases. He has 48 stolen bases, leaving him five shy of Eric Young’s franchise record. . . . Kip Wells was told he could have his release if he objected strongly to going back to the bullpen. Wells has been effective in the role, pitching two scoreless innings since his demotion.
