His history said Seth Smith would find his swing sooner, not later, and sure enough, he did it Tuesday night.
Smith’s spring-training stats — .352 with eight extra-base hits in 54 at-bats — suggested he was ready to roll once the season started, but Smith knew better.
“You come out of spring and you kind of feel weird,” Smith said. “It gives you that false sense of security. I didn’t feel great, but I was still getting hits so you’re thinking it’s going to roll over into the season. But that’s not the case.
“It’s one thing when you feel good and you’re just getting beat. It’s another thing when you just don’t feel comfortable in the box. I’ll get there. You’ve just got to let it roll off your shoulder and get ready for the next day.”
The next day came Tuesday, when Smith hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third. Four innings later, he doubled to left-center for his first two-hit game of 2010.
Bullish on the bullpen.
The Rockies’ bullpen ERA of 2.18 through Monday was the third-lowest in the National League behind the Phillies (1.33) and Mets (1.27). Now for the interesting part: The Rockies and Phillies haven’t had their closers all season, and the Mets hadn’t recorded a save.
Footnotes.
Carlos Gonzalez, who left Sunday’s game with tightness in his left hamstring, didn’t start, but was available to pinch-hit and expects to play tonight. . . . Brad Hawpe doubled home two runs in the first inning, then left the game with tightness in his left quadriceps. . . . Jeff Francis, sidelined with pain under his left arm pit, played catch and reported no discomfort. No timetable has been set for his return. . . . Huston Street is scheduled to play catch Thursday at extended spring training after being shut down two weeks ago. . . . Taylor Buchholz will throw batting practice today in Tucson before pitching in an extended spring game. He’s hoping to be in the big leagues by June.
Jim Armstrong, The Denver Post
