HOUSTON — Garrett 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 Thursday night he busted out of the worst slump of his career, launching two homers that left jet tracks in the Texas sky.
“I was just going up there trying to relax and use my hands,” said Atkins after the Rockies pounded the Astros and starter Wandy Rodriguez for a 10-3 win to snap a four-game losing streak.
“Obviously I believed in myself and knew I was going to come out of it. It’s just one game, but at least it’s a start,” Atkins said.
All told, the Rockies hit four home runs, matching their season high. Ryan Spilborghs hit a solo shot leading off the fourth. Brad Hawpe hit a solo homer in the fifth.
Colorado also received a shutdown performance from starter Jason Hammel.
“In my opinion, that’s as well-played a game as we have had all year long — in all facets,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said.
Hammel, displaying command of his fastball, curve and changeup, lasted seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits. The seven innings matched his career high.
“I think earlier in the season, I wasn’t using my changeup enough,” Hammel said. “It wasn’t in hitters’ heads. I had to get back to throwing changeups to get them off the fastball.”
But the biggest story of the night was Atkins. With management considering sending him down to Triple-A to work on his mechanics, he responded with his best swings in weeks.
His first blast, a towering two-run shot scoring Todd Helton, came in the Rockies’ four-run third inning. The second was a solo shot in the fifth.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
Rockies Recap
Spilborghs’ game shines
Ryan Spilborghs went Willie Mays on Lance Berkman’s blast in the fourth inning. Running with this back to the infield, Spilborghs sprinted up Tal’s Hill in center at Minute Maid Park, catching the ball over his shoulder. Spilborghs, starting in center to give Dexter Fowler a rest, led off the third with a double and scored on Clint Barmes’ triple. Spilborghs garnished his performance with a solo homer to left in the fourth.
Twice is nice.
Catcher Edwin Bellorin, brought up from Triple-A to replace Yorvit Torrealba, slapped a single to left in the eighth. It was his second career big-league hit.
Groovin’.
Ian Stewart, like Garrett Atkins, might finally be finding his groove at the plate. After hitting a three-run homer Wednesday night, he went 3-for-4, bumping his average to .207. It’s the first time he has been above .200 since May 17.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Looking Ahead
TODAY: Rockies at Cardinals, 6:15 p.m., FSN
“He has to figure out how to deal with adversity,” manager Jim Tracy said when asked what lefty Jorge De La Rosa (0-6, 5.43 ERA) must do to pitch more consistently. De La Rosa has been good and bad, but as his record indicates, he has been mostly bad. Though he has cut down on walks, he makes too many mental mistakes, such as throwing Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez an 0-2 fastball and watching it fly over the fence for a three-run homer. The Rockies have their hands full with Adam Wainwright (5-3, 3.38). He has gone at least seven innings in four straight starts. The Rockies have limited experience vs. Wainwright, with Garrett Atkins’ eight at-bats (two hits) the most appearances against the right-hander. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Upcoming Pitching Matchups
Saturday:
Rockies’ Aaron Cook (3-3, 4.94 ERA) vs. Cardinals’ Todd Wellemeyer (5-5, 5.05), 5:15 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (3-6, 4.11) vs. Cardinals’ Joel Piñeiro (5-5, 3.86), 12:15 p.m., FSN
Monday:
Rockies’ Jason Marquis (7-4, 4.10) vs. Cardinals’ Brad Thompson (0-1, 4.12), 12:15 p.m., FSN
Tuesday:
Rockies’ Jason Hammel (2-3, 4.50) vs. Brewers’ Braden Looper (5-3, 4.65), 6 p.m., FSN
