Ryan Spilborghs is the Rockies’ most valuable chameleon.
No matter where he roams in the outfield, or where he bats in the order, or how many days in a row he sits on the bench, he finds ways to contribute.
“It’s impressive that a guy can sit there for four or five days and still come out and give you good at-bats and play great defense,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “It speaks volumes about him. He’s the ultimate team guy.”
On a white-hot Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field, the ultimate team guy got his day in the sun, leading the Rockies to a 10-4 romp over the Nationals to polish off a three-game sweep. The Rockies received six shutout innings from starter Jorge De La Rosa, but it was Spilborghs who lit the fuse.
Making just his third start in July, Spilborghs didn’t miss a beat. “The Spilly Show” began in the first inning when he roped a perfect throw from right field, cutting down speedster Nyjer Morgan attempting to advance from first to third on a single by Alberto Gonzalez. It was Spilborghs’ sixth outfield assist, most on the team.
Act II arrived in the fifth when Spilborghs hugged the wall in the right-field corner to pull in a long foul ball off the bat of Anderson Hernandez.
Act III came in the bottom of the fifth when Spilborghs scorched a three-run triple off Washington starter Ross Det-wiler.
“When you talk about championship-caliber character on a baseball team, Ryan Spil-borghs makes it count. That’s what he’s all about,” manager Jim Tracy said.
Spilborghs has started at seven spots in the order (one through seven) and played all three outfield positions. He was stationed in right field Wednesday, giving all-star Brad Hawpe a day off.
“Even if you’re not hitting all of the time, you have to bring it some other way,” said Spilborghs, who came out of spring training as the starting center fielder before being supplanted by Dexter Fowler.
Being a productive role player is not easy, but Spilborghs chooses to embrace the role rather than fight it.
“Even if you don’t get a lot of at-bats during the week, you still have to get yourself prepared, any way you can,” Spilborghs said. “I think I have done that my whole career.”
Despite the Rockies going 27-11 under Tracy, the manager was keenly aware their offense had been struggling. So he held a team meeting to remind the players not to fall back into the habits that plagued them in April and May. Those included expanding their strike zone, trying to pull the ball all the time and going to the plate with home runs on the brain.
Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who has shined in the field but struggled mightily at the plate, went 3-for-5 — hiking his average from .197 to .224. He doubled down the right-field line in the fourth and scored a run, then clubbed a run-scoring triple to center in the eighth.
Tulowitzki pounded a two-run homer to right-center in the sixth, scoring Todd Helton and pushing the Rockies’ lead to 8-0. It was Tulowitzki’s 14th homer of the season and ninth in the last 30 days.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
TODAY: Braves at Rockies, 6:40 p.m., FSN
The Rockies have never faced the Braves’ Tommy Hanson (4-0, 2.25 ERA), a 22-year-old right-hander. They’re about to get an eyeful. Blessed with a mid-90s fastball and a sharp curve, the rookie has been unbeatable. In Hanson’s last start, at Washington, he gave up just three hits and one walk in seven innings. Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook (8-3, 3.76) lost command of his trusty sinker in his last start, but still has a five-game winning streak. On May 21, Cook pitched a four-hit shutout against the Braves at Turner Field. Cook’s chief nemesis — no surprise — is Chipper Jones. He is hitting .348 (8-for-23), including one homer and five RBIs, against Cook. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Friday:
Braves’ Derek Lowe (7-7, 4.56) vs. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (6-8, 3.86), 7:10 p.m., FSN
Saturday:
Braves’ Jair Jurrjens (6-7, 2.91) vs. Rockies’ Jason Marquis (11-5, 3.61), 6:10 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Braves’ Javier Vazquez (6-7, 2.95) vs. Rockies’ Jason Hammel (5-4, 4.07), 1:10 p.m., FSN
Monday:
All-star break
