ST. LOUIS — The numbers are jarring.
Since manager Clint Hurdle was fired, Clint Barmes is hitting .432 (19-for-44) with eight RBIs, raising his average 50 points to .285.
Coincidence? Not exactly.
“The biggest difference is where I am hitting. Most of the year I was eighth, trying to battle, work counts and not miss strikes,” Barmes said. “Moving up to second in the order (the day Jim Tracy took over), I cleared my head. I love the challenges of the two-hole.”
Barmes is never going to walk much, but he can bunt, run and provide some pop. Hurdle never seemed to totally trust Barmes as an everyday player, shifting him in and out of the lineup. It’s clear Tracy resides in Barmes’ corner.
“What’s not to like about him?” Tracy said after Barmes rapped out three hits in Sunday’s victory.
Tracy’s best team — the 2004 Dodgers that won the National League West — was built around the defense of shortstop Cesar Izturis and second baseman Alex Cora. Tracy sees similarities with a Troy Tulowitzki-Barmes pairing up the middle.
“Absolutely, I do,” Tracy said.
That penchant will likely land Garrett Atkins on the bench, leaving Todd Helton (first base), Barmes, Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart (third base) in the infield.
“There is a lot of talent here. Everybody is working to stay in the lineup on a daily basis,” Barmes said.
Tulo returns.
Tulowitzki (bruised left hand) started for the first time since Tuesday, showing an improved offensive approach. He produced two hits with runners in scoring position after entering the game 3-for-41 in those situations.
“It is good to finally get some better results,” he said. “But I have to keep grinding.”
Footnotes.
The Rockies had more hits with runners in scoring position (six) than the Cardinals had at-bats (four) in that situation. . . . Samuel Deduno (Double-A Tulsa) was named the Rockies’ minor- league pitcher of the month, and the player honor went to third baseman Mike McCoy (Triple-A Colorado Springs).
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
