It only seems like the Rockies have had more lineups than a police precinct.
A spat of injuries and underwhelming performances have forced manager Jim Tracy’s hand. And so, for about an hour Wednesday morning, Brad Hawpe was the No. 3 hitter, just as he was in Monday’s series opener against the Phillies.
The Rockies’ new look included Carlos Gonzalez, back from the bereavement list to bang out three hits off Roy Halladay, at leadoff, with Hawpe third, Troy Tulowitzki in the cleanup spot and Todd Helton in the five hole. That could be the lineup for the near future, but it didn’t last long Wednesday. Trainer Keith Dugger deemed the cold weather too dangerous a risk for Tulowitzki’s strained right quadriceps.
The decision to scratch Tulo- witzki landed Melvin Mora in the No. 3 spot, with Hawpe fourth and Helton fifth. Tracy made it clear that Helton’s exodus from the three hole isn’t permanent. He simply wants to ease the pressure as Helton works through his issues at the plate.
Helton is hitting .252 with seven RBIs and hasn’t homered in 103 at-bats, the longest drought of his career to start a season.
“The bottom line for me is, if you’re hitting third, you’re a proven run producer,” Tracy said. “That’s where I want him to hit. But you’ve got to be smart. I made this comment the other day: It’s not easy being Todd Helton. . . . When you see he’s trying to sort something out, you give him the opportunity to do it in maybe a little bit less stressful environment than hitting third.”
Footnotes.
Jeff Francis on Tuesday’s rehab start for Double-A Tulsa in which he pitched seven scoreless innings: “I feel like myself again. I’m kind of anxious like I was after spring training. I’m ready to come back.” . . . With Wednesday’s second game postponed, no roster move was made to open a spot for Jason Hammel. He was scheduled to start Game 2 but will be bypassed today in favor of Jhoulys Chacin. . . . Taylor Buchholz’s rehab stint shifts to Triple-A Colorado Springs from Single-A Modesto. “I’ve been 88 to 90 pretty much, but I’d like to add one or two miles per hour,” he said. “That will come.”
Troy E. Renck and Jim Armstrong, The Denver Post
