MIAMI — Hawpe, Hawpe, Jorge!
That, as much as anything, explained the Rockies’ gutsy victory in Sunday’s second game. Jorge De La Rosa won his 11th game since June 1, tops in the majors. Brad Hawpe did something just as significant, hitting his first home run since July 19.
“It definitely felt like it had been awhile,” Hawpe said.
The all-star outfielder was recently dropped from cleanup to the fifth spot because he lost thump in his bat. He was batting just .253 in the second half with only eight extra-base hits when he stepped into the box in the sixth inning.
Hawpe launched Rick VandenHurk’s fastball over the left-field fence, the kind of opposite-field power that defined him before the all-star break.
“That’s what we need from him, and I have seen signs over the last week that he’s going to get it going again,” manager Jim Tracy said.
Hawpe has a history of being streaky, his Sunday nightcap performance evidence of that. In addition to his home run, he struck out three times in the second game. He has fanned 33 times in his last 97 at-bats.
It’s a number worth watching since the lineup functions best when Hawpe is among the clutch hitters.
“You don’t worry about yourself. The focus is on helping the team,” Hawpe said. “It’s a long season. You go through tough stretches.”
Nothing cooking.
Aaron Cook came away from his Sunday start with his health but little else. The right-hander was not sharp after his nine-day layoff because of a sprained right big toe. His arm slot too low, Cook provided fastballs for the Marlins to feast on. He set a season high for runs allowed in a game (seven) and in an inning (five).
“There was no excuse. I just was out of sync,” Cook said. “After the second batter, I was like, ‘Uh-oh.’ I just didn’t have it.”
Yo, Adrian!
Troy Tulowitzki’s remarkable week might not end with National League player of the week honors today. Appearing a lock after hitting for the cycle last Monday and blasting three home runs, the Rockies shortstop faces stiff competition from San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez, who went 19-for-30 with three homers.
Footnotes.
Tulowitzki barely avoided ejection after arguing with plate umpire Rob Drake following his last at-bat of the night. “He said he didn’t care (where the pitch was). I told him, ‘We have been out here all day and you don’t care?’ ” Tulowitzki said of the exchange that then became unprintable. . . . Todd Helton’s throwing error on VandenHurk’s bunt was his first since June 24. . . . Reliever Matt Daley’s 14-game scoreless streak ended when he allowed two runs in the first game. . . . Carlos Gonzalez remains the Rockies’ hottest hitter, delivering a homer in both ends of the doubleheader. Gonzalez has 14 hits in his last 39 at-bats. . . . Cody Ross set a Marlins record with six hits during the doubleheader.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
