SAN FRANCISCO — Before Wednesday’s game, the Rockies learned that first baseman Todd Helton would undergo back surgery, that center fielder Willy Taveras has a broken right tibia and that Glendon Rusch will replace struggling rookie Greg Reynolds for Saturday’s start at Arizona.
Colorado then seamlessly transferred from a dull ache to a sting operation. In one of the most impressive road performances in team history, the Rockies scolded the Giants 15-6 in a game that was a series of offensive wows.
The Rockies finished just one run shy of their road record, last accomplished Aug. 3, 2003 at Pittsburgh. Not that there weren’t plenty of notable achievements in a game that will influence rotisserie leagues more than the National League.
In support of winning pitcher Livan Hernandez (seven innings, five runs) Chris Iannetta knocked in two runs. His 65 RBIs are the most by a Rockies catcher, breaking Brett Mayne’s record. Clint Barmes went 4-for-5 and clubbed his 10th home run, matching a career high. Barmes, hoping to be the everyday second baseman next season, has hit safely in eight of his last nine games. Garrett Atkins crushed a lazy fastball into the center-field seats for his 21st home run. It left him just two RBIs shy of 100.
San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez is the only player in the NL West to reach that threshold this season.
Rusch in, Reynolds out.
Reynolds’ painful season as a starter was put to bed Wednesday. Reynolds has been hammered for 20 runs and 24 hits in 4 1/3 innings over his last three big-league starts. “Greg is not in a good place right now,” Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.
Rusch, who hasn’t started since Aug. 14 because of the emergence of Jorge De La Rosa, is looking forward to the opportunity.
“You know the guys are going to give their best shot especially if Arizona is fighting for a playoff spot,” Rusch said.
Jason Hirsh will take Aaron Cook’s spot Friday after the Rockies’ best starter was shut down to avoid injury. Hirsh said, “It should be fun.”
Footnotes.
Pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez was asked by Washington manager Manny Acta to be on the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team next spring. . . . Pitcher Franklin Morales will begin fixing his delivery in the instructional league this week before reporting to Caracas, Venezuela for winter ball.
