HOUSTON — Clint Barmes is a target.
When the Rockies struggle, the first place critics go is second base. Barmes knows it, and he has provided fodder by batting .214 with a .273 on-base percentage. Wednesday night, he committed a crippling fielding error.
“I understand why the fans are frustrated. I am doing everything I can, but I haven’t gotten the job done,” Barmes said before the game. “But this isn’t going to continue. I am going to get it going.”
Barmes executed a brief U-turn with a game-tying home run in the seventh before squandering a potential win when he mishandled Tommy Manzella’s two-out groundball. It gift-wrapped the Astros’ four-run outburst.
“It hit me in the palm. I just missed it. No excuse,” Barmes said. “I am not playing good baseball right now.”
Manager Jim Tracy defended Barmes’ presence in the lineup. Tracy’s explanation: Barmes’ glove is too valuable to sit. So, of course, it backfired.
“It seems like he becomes a focal point, but that’s unfair, because we should be doing more from the No. 1 through 7 spots. His at-bats should be add-ons,” Tracy said.
As it stands, there’s no replacement for Barmes given Melvin Mora’s struggles defensively at second. That could change if utility infielder Jonathan Herrera is promoted today. He has hit well in Triple-A and has long impressed Tracy with his defense.
Barmes’ offensive failures have been magnified recently because they have come with men in scoring position.
“It just (stinks),” Barmes said. “When you have a chance to change the game, you have to come through.”
Iannetta talk.
The return of catcher Chris Iannetta, who is batting .375 with five home runs in 14 games with the Sky Sox, remains a topic of discussion. Iannetta was demoted and told to work on all aspects of his game. He has performed well, but there’s no obvious playing time available with Miguel Olivo ranking in the top three among National League catchers in home runs (eight) and RBIs (20).
“Were we just trying to get a personal agenda accomplished? No. We are trying to get him better,” Tracy said.
Footnotes.
Olivo’s neck pain subsided enough from Tuesday’s face-plant to allow him to start. . . . Triple-A reliever Edgmer Escalona is unlikely to be promoted after failing to perform well in recent outings.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
