MESA, ARIZ. — Jeff Francis was surprised to learn Thursday how many people asked about him during the Vancouver Olympics.
“I am not a hockey player,” Francis said. “So I never get recognized back home.”
Rockies’ teammates recognized Francis in the team’s Cactus League finale. He bore a striking resemblance to the ace of the 2007 staff.
“That’s the best I have seen him throw in two years,” first baseman Todd Helton said. “He was getting swings and misses on his fastball. We haven’t really seen that.”
Francis lowered the red flags to half mast with a crisp outing, holding the Cubs scoreless over five innings. Even more importantly, he was able to locate change eye levels with his fastball — moving it up and down the zone — setting up a good curveball and changeup. He faced the Cubs’ likely opening day lineup.
“Whatever I was looking for, I found it,” said Francis, who credited advice from catcher Miguel Olivo and pitching coach Bob Apodaca for his improvement. “It’s a good feeling to end this way.”
The baby steps are over for Francis. His shoulder healthy and his mental state right, Francis will face Milwaukee’s Randy Wolf, one of the NL’s best left-handers last season, on Tuesday at Miller Park.
“He looked better than he has all spring,” said manager Jim Tracy, who put him second in the rotation, in part, because of the stark contrast between Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez. “He was pitching ahead in the count, mixing in his pitches. It was a really good performance.”
Beimel believes ready
Reliever Joe Beimel has thrown 20 pitches in two big-league appearances. Sixteen were strikes. He was sharp Thursday, and will pitch Saturday in the exhibition against the Mariners. The Rockies are tilting toward carrying Greg Smith, buying Beimel a few days in Triple-A.
“I know I sound like a broken record, but I am ready,” Beimel said. “It’s not my decision, but I would like to be there on opening day.”
Tracy said Smith likely won’t pitch again this spring. He’s a starter by trade and they are trying to create the least disruption in his schedule if he ends up in the bullpen as a long reliever.
Phils keep eye on Redding
After losing starter Joe Blanton for a several weeks with an oblique strain, the Phillies are kicking the tires on Rockies’ pitcher Tim Redding, who was reassigned to Triple-A Wednesday. The Phillies expressed interest in Redding as a free agent last winter. He can opt out of his contract Saturday, but only if he has a 25-man spot elsewhere.
Footnotes
Rockies bench coach Tom Runnells left the team Thursday because of a family emergency. Tracy hopes that he can rejoin the club Sunday in Milwaukee.
… By design, Tracy pinch hit Jason Giambi against a left-hander and Melvin Mora against a righty. He realizes that teams will often switch relievers against those players. “I am fine with it. Our bench is so deep, we can force teams to make moves they might not want to make,” Giambi said.
… Among the projected opening day starters, Tulowitzki finished with the highest Cactus League average (.364), followed by Ian Stewart (.353) and Carlos Gonzalez (.340).
… Helton on his impressions of spring: “We are playing good defense, running the bases well. We are ready to go.”
