The Rockies’ lineup, maligned for much of the season, has suddenly become electric.
Ian Stewart hit two home runs Friday and couldn’t even crack the lineup Saturday.
There was a good explanation. Despite Stewart’s resurgence — 7-for-18 on the homestand — he has struggled against Padres left-hander Wade LeBlanc. Stewart is hitless in eight at-bats, including six strikeouts. So rather than disrupt his timing with a bad matchup, manager Jim Tracy inserted Melvin Mora at third base for Saturday’s game. Mora, on cue, hit his first home run as a Rockie.
Tracy called Stewart into his office to discuss the move.
Stewart appreciated the gesture, saying: “He didn’t have to do that. It really showed a lot of respect.”
Teammates have been privately wondering when Stewart was going to take off.
The third baseman batted .167 in June, gradually losing playing time against left-handers. He has more RBIs this month (10) than he did in June (seven).
“I didn’t really change anything. I am just being more aggressive,” said Stewart, who singled in the eighth inning after entering on a double-switch. “I feel comfortable at the plate.”
It was evident on his grand slam Friday. Stewart hit his first opposite-field home run since the opening series in Milwaukee.
“He’s in a good place. He has better timing offensively and defensively,” Tracy said.
Rotating the tires.
Tracy has settled on the Rockies’ rotation after the all-star break.
Jason Hammel, the team’s second-best starter in the first half, will start the three-game Cincinnati series Friday, followed by Jorge De La Rosa and Aaron Cook. Ubaldo Jimenez will pitch against Florida, trailed by Jeff Francis. Tracy wanted additional rest for Jimenez, who has consistently topped 100 pitches in his games, and Francis, who has slumped of late.
Jimenez is likely to be the National League starter in the All-Star Game on Tuesday and will attend the ESPYs before rejoining the Rockies on Thursday’s charter to Cincinnati. They will have a full-squad workout Friday before playing.
Footnotes.
De La Rosa expects better results in his next start. “I got angry. I need to relax and have better composure. My command will improve then,” he said after struggling Friday against the Padres. . . . In good spirits, Todd Helton said his back felt much better after receiving an epidural shot. He will resume working out early this week and can be activated from the disabled list July 20.
