With 81 games down and 81 to go, the Rockies’ offense remains a work in progress.
In Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks at Coors Field, the Rockies scratched out three runs against all-star right-hander Dan Haren but were unable to break through against Arizona’s bullpen.
The Rockies did not have a hit after pinch-hitter Dexter Fowler opened the seventh inning with a single.
Manager Jim Tracy credited Haren with shutting down the Rockies’ bats.
“I think sometimes you have to give credit to the other side,” Tracy said. “I thought we did everything that we could do to get the three runs off Danny Haren.”
At the halfway point, the Rockies’ team batting average is .257 — eighth in the National League. However, the Rockies’ 407 runs scored are tied with Philadelphia for most in the NL (the Phillies have played two fewer games).
In their 2007 pennant-winning season, the Rockies’ .280 average was the best in the NL. Last season, the Rockies hit .263, the worst in franchise history.
“I honestly don’t think we have seen the best from our offense,” Tracy said last week. “I think there is a lot more there. I’m anxious to see that come into play.”
Corpas update.
Injured reliever Manuel Corpas is scheduled to throw another 25-pitch bullpen session today to test his right elbow. If he throws well and is pain-free, Corpas will begin a minor-league rehabilitation assignment that would take him through next week’s all-star break.
“If he gets beyond this bullpen (session) and has no issues, then we wouldn’t think a simulated game would be necessary,” Tracy said.
While the Rockies are resting up, Corpas would be tuning up.
“We would rather get him out and get him involved in competition,” Tracy said. “With what he’s dealing with, we want that adrenaline, and you aren’t going to have that same adrenaline flow throwing to hitters in a simulated situation.”
Footnotes.
Aaron Cook, who left Saturday’s game when he had the wind knocked out of him, was fine Sunday except for a minor stiff neck. . . . The Rockies lost consecutive games at home for the first time since they were swept in three games by the Dodgers on May 26-28. That was the final series for former manager Clint Hurdle.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
