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 apparently felt Troy Tulowitzki was the victim of injustice when called out on a stolen-base attempt.
With the game hollow in meaning, Hurdle’s encounter with umpire Ron Kulpa conjured memories of Billy Crystal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in “Forget Paris.”
Crystal, playing a referee, ejected Abdul-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.
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, the right-hander showed glimpses. He had 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 after just 4 1/3 innings. He threw 104 pitches, allowing five hits, including home runs to Stephen Drew and Justin Upton.
The loss halted the Rockies’ three-game winning streak and hurt if for no other reason than 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 in the 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. 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 it 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.
Hurdle reiterated Friday he has no doubt 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. . . . 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 winter ball, 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.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
