PHOENIX — There was a Hollywood feel to Clint Hurdle’s eighth-inning charge from the dugout Friday. And it wasn’t just because actor Robert Wuhl was watching from the Chase Field owner’s box. With the score tied, Hurdle felt that Troy Tulowitzki was the victim of injustice when called out on a stolen base attempt.
With the game hollow in meaning beyond evaluation, Hurdle’s encounter with umpire Ron Kulpa conjured memories of Billy Crystal and Kareem Abdul Jabbar in “Forget Paris.”
Crystal, acting as a referee, ejected Jabbar. The legend responded by saying “Are you crazy? This is my farewell game.” To which Crystal quipped, “Oh? Well, let me be the first to say farewell.”
As the Rockies’ mercifully say goodbye to this season this weekend, Hurdle was tossed. It was the signature moment in a 6-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.
“I wasn’t buying his argument,” Hurdle said. “That same play has happened to Tulo three times and it has been safe each time.”
The purpose of the game from the purple perspective was to get a look at Jason Hirsh. In his first big league start this season – he spent much the entire year in Triple-A after developing a rotator cuff strain in spring training – the right-hander showed glimpses. He demonstrated a decent slider, and while his fastball needs more consistent late life, it was effective at times. Hirsh’s pitch count, however, ballooned, leading to his exit afer just 4 1/3 innings. He finished with 104 pitches, allowing five hits, including two home runs to Stephen Drew and Justin Upton.
“There was no twinge, no pain,” said Hirsh. “It was nice to get back to that starter’s mentality. I didn’t necessarily need this game. But was nice to get back out there in that role.”
The loss halted the Rockies’ three-game winning streak and hurt if for no other reason it was so avoidable. Chad Tracy doubled home two runs off reliever Jason Grilli in the eighth only minutes after Hurdle was tossed.
Colorado led 3-0 after the first inning, punishing Arizona’s Dan Haren. Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe both doubled and Garrett Atkins recorded one of the season’s strangest RBIs. He hit a dribbler up the third-base line that catcher Miguel Montero retrieved. He erased Atkins at first, but with Haren forgetting to cover home plate, Hawpe raced home.
There will be more at stake Saturday as Arizona’s Brandon Webb attempts to cement his Cy Young candidacy. The Rockies spoiled Tim Lincecum’s bid by shelling the dynamic right-hander earlier this week.
Out in left?
Ian Stewart has quietly shagged flyballs in the outfield this summer as a precaution. There’s a possibility he could end up in left field if the Rockies trade slugger Matt Holliday for pitching help. While some talent evaluators think Stewart will win a Gold Glove at third base one day, the rookie said he would be open to the idea.
“If means staying in the lineup, of course I would do it,” Stewart said.
Stewart hasn’t played outfield since his freshman year of high school. Manager Clint Hurdle reiterated Friday that he has no doubt that Stewart could make the transition because of his athleticism. In his exit interview, however, the Rockies didn’t insist that he work specifically in the outfield this winter.
Footnotes
Players involved in the Rockies’ instructional league in Tucson will attend Saturday’s game at Chase Field, including pitcher Franklin Morales. He’s attempting to fix his delivery this fall before heading to Venezuela for winterball. Holliday missed his third game in seven days because of a stiff back. Ryan Spilborghs replaced him in the lineup. Reliever Luis Vizcaino has no plans to pitch winterball, instead working out in Tampa, Fla., to get ready for the season. Wuhl, who played super agent Arliss Michaels among a plethora of Hollywood roles, was a guest in owner Jeffrey Moorad’s box Friday. Moorad used to be an agent before joining the Diamondbacks. First baseman Joe Koshansky continues to impress with the bat. He hit an opposite-field double off Haren.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
