For the first half of the season, Brad Hawpe was the hottest Rockies player. He has since gone ice cold, hitting just .238 since playing in his first All-Star Game.
But Hawpe said Sunday he’s not stressing out, in large part because teammates such as Seth Smith and Carlos Gonzalez have caught fire, and also because the Rockies are winning. Hawpe also is certain he will regain his swing.
“When I get a few hits, you’ll know I’m back,” he said. “I’ve done some extra work, but until it translates, I’ll have to stay patient.”
Hawpe, 0-for-3 on Sunday and 1-for-15 on this homestand, had a .320 batting average at the all-star break. Now it’s .291.
“I’ve been (in a slump) every year,” the right fielder said. “For the last 10 years, I’ve gone through the same thing. It’s a long season. So it’s not a big deal until you make it a big deal.”
Winning ugly.
Jorge De La Rosa improved to 14-9, all his wins coming since the beginning of June. But this was no masterpiece. Though he surrendered just two hits, he had to tightrope through his five innings. His wildness — six walks (one short of his career high) and two wild pitches — was offset by his ability to dodge trouble.
“We have obviously seen Jorge a lot better than that,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “We don’t want to have to take him out after five innings, but the problem was that (he wasn’t) getting the ball in the strike zone early in the count.”
Cook update.
Aaron Cook has been throwing the ball from 150 feet and said he’s making steady progress rehabbing his right shoulder. However, Cook still “feels a little pinch” when he tries to throw downhill, so he hasn’t thrown a bullpen session yet.
Asked if he thinks he can return this season, Cook said, “Yes, I do. If I couldn’t throw the ball 150 feet, straight on a line, then I wouldn’t be so optimistic. But now it’s just that last little step of being pain- free on the mound.”
Fowler update.
Rehabbing outfielder Dexter Fowler (bruised knee) was the designated hitter for Double-A Tulsa on Sunday and is scheduled to play nine innings today. The Rockies will evaluate Fowler on Tuesday with a chance he could be activated against the Reds, but Wednesday looks more realistic.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
