HOUSTON — Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins had lightning, and perhaps a little anger, in his bat Thursday night.
Atkins, mired in the worst slump of his career, walloped two home runs to left field off Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez in the Rockies’ 10-3 victory.
Atkins’ first blast, a towering two-run shot scoring Todd Helton, came in the Rockies’ four-run third inning. Atkins’ second was a solo shot in the fifth.
The Rockies’ victory snapped their four-game losing streak and prevented the Astros from sweeping the four-game series.
Starter Jason Hammel pitched his finest performance in a Rockies uniform. Showing command of his fastball and curve, he lasted seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits. The seven innings matched his career high.
With management considering demoting Atkins to Triple-A Colorado Springs to work on his mechanics, he responded with his best swings in weeks.
Atkins had not hit a homer since April 25, a string of 114 at-bats. He had not posted a multihit game since April 27. But he looked like the Atkins of old, his homers leaving a jet tracks in the Texas sky.
There was one blemish on Atkins’ performance. Lance Berkman’s grounder scooted between his legs in the fifth. It was his seventh error this season.
All told, the Rockies hit four home runs, matching their season high. Ryan Spilborghs hit a solo shot leading off the fourth, his fifth. Brad Hawpe hit a solo homer in the fifth, his eighth.
The Rockies flashed gold gloves, too. In the fourth, Spilborghs made an impressive catch on Berkman’s blast to center. Running with this back to the infield, Spilborghs went full-throttle toward the fence and caught the ball over his shoulder.
Tulo news. The MRI on Troy Tulowitzki’s bruised left hand showed no structural damage. That means he could be back in the starting lineup in a day or two.
“It’s a soft-tissue injury, a bruise,” trainer Keith Duggers said Thursday afternoon. “We are going to have him swing the bat today. If we really needed him in an emergency, he could play tonight.”
Tulowitzki left Tuesday night’s game in the fourth inning because of pain and swelling in his left hand.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
