TUCSON — Brad Hawpe is making a mockery of practice. One day after starring in an intrasquad game, the Rockies’ right fielder made a smashing Cactus League debut Thursday, crushing two doubles in an otherwise forgettable performance by Colorado.
“Just like with (Troy) Tulowitzki, I am going to put Hawper on a plane to Milwaukee and let him hang out with Bernie Brewer for a few weeks until the opener,” manager Jim Tracy said.
Hawpe has made the game look simple with powerful swings. Even more impressive is his approach. In his first at-bat, he lined a two-strike, opposite-field double. That’s the type of hitter he was — foul line to foul line — before the all-star break a year ago.
“I am seeing the ball well. That’s why we take so much BP,” Hawpe said.
Hawpe, 30, is a notoriously streaky hitter, and he has taken steps to address his fade last season, when he hit .240 in the second half. He changed his diet in the offseason, and now eats 10 fruits and vegetables every day.
“I am not worried about my weight. It’s about having more energy,” Hawpe said.
Simmered, roasted.
Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook planned to work three innings and throw roughly 40 pitches. He ended up needing sunscreen, enduring a 1-hour, 14-minute struggle.
Consistently behind in the count, Cook recorded only eight outs on 73 pitches, sabotaged by an inconsistent sinker.
Footnotes.
Jason Giambi will play in his first spring game today. . . . Rafael Betancourt (shoulder) fired breaking balls on flat ground Thursday and will throw fastballs and changeups off the mound today. . . . Huston Street (shoulder) will throw live batting practice today.
