MARYVALE — Troy Tulowitzki is like a shark during infield practice. There’s no wasted movement. Everything he does is with a purpose. Tulo is driven to win a ring, but he makes no secret of the one individual award he covets: the Rawlings Gold Glove.
He was considered a strong contender in 2007 and 2009, losing out both times to Philadelphia’s Jimmy Rollins.
“It just builds that fire even more. That’s the good thing about not winning it,” Tulowitzki said. “It would be nice to get one under my belt because it seems like then you go on a little run. There are people that don’t think that I am the best or maybe even the second best. That’s great motivation.”
Tulowitzki, who plays in Tucson today, hasn’t committed an error this spring and is hitting .364.
In Todd they trust.
A month after he arrived in Tucson, Todd Helton will spray WD-40 on his arms and legs and make his Cactus League debut today against the Mariners at Hi Corbett Field.
“I’d like to shake the rust off and see if I can still hit,” said Helton, who’s scheduled to get two at-bats.
He figures to receive a loud ovation and a formidable challenge, facing Seattle’s Felix “The King” Hernandez. Helton, like Jason Giambi, is expected to play every other day until camp ends April 1.
Hammer time.
Pitcher Jason Hammel has never been a lock for a roster. That luxury this spring hasn’t changed his mind-set. He was encouraged Saturday by his fastball, a pitch that he believed lacked control and pop in previous outings.
“I felt like I had it for the first time,” Hammel admitted.
Catcher Chris Iannetta, who caught Hammel all winter, said the next step is better command glove side with the pitch.
Footnotes.
Tracy will accompany the team to Mexico for today’s split-squad game. In 1981, he hit the longest home run ever at Hector Espino Stadium, according to Hermosillo executives. . . . Jeff Francis continues to work diligently on his delivery between starts. He threw a light bullpen, specifically fine-tuning his stride. A shorter stride allows him to create much better break on his curveball. Francis will make his third start Monday. . . . Reliever Taylor Buchholz threw curveballs off the mound for the second time since elbow surgery. . . . After dealing with the flu earlier in camp, Dexter Fowler is getting his legs back underneath him. He roped an RBI single in the third inning and his speed created a throwing error on a first-and-third situation, scoring a run.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Brewers 7 (ss), Rockies 6
At Maryvale Stadium
Hits: With bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning, shortstop Chris Nelson doused a rally with a smooth defensive play in the hole. He deftly fielded a hard shot, then jumped in the air and threw a strike to second base for a forceout. . . . Outfielder Matt Miller slammed a three-run home run in a four- run seventh inning.
Misses: Reliever Andrew Johnston gave up a home run to Lorenzo Cain in the eighth. . . . Jonathan Herrera has looked better in the outfield than his customary infield spots. He committed an error at shortstop. . . . Second baseman Eric Young Jr. played the plus-minus game defensively, making a terrific play behind the bag, but flubbing a routine double-play ball.
What’s next: Rockies vs. Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m., Hermosillo, Mexico. Rockies’ Greg Smith vs. Diamondbacks’ Rodrigo Lopez. Mariners vs. Rockies, Hi Corbett Field, 1:05 p.m. Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Mariners’ Felix Hernandez.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
