PITTSBURGH — Last week after a troubling loss to the Pirates, Troy Tulowitzki stared at a TV screen in the Rockies’ video room, going over his at-bats.
That scene, innocuous at the time, helps explain his seamless transition back into the lineup after a 33-game absence. Two years ago, his injury hiatus ate at his gut like battery acid.
When Tulowitzki returned, he pressed, trying to be a combination of Cal Ripken Jr. and Hank Aaron.
This time, everything is different, his maturity reflected in his results — a .410 average with 10 RBIs since returning from the DL after his broken left wrist healed.
“I didn’t take it as hard. I realized it was out of my control, so I used that time to get better,” Tulowitzki said.
That’s why Tulowitzki could be seen hanging over the railing watching opponents’ batting practice for several weeks. It helped his defensive positioning, but he also took mental notes on how accomplished hitters work.
That led to video study of Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, whom he befriended at the All-Star Game, the Mets’ David Wright and confidant Matt Holliday.
“I learned from their approach, how they handle certain pitches and pitchers,” Tulowitzki said.
The all-star admitted his power isn’t the same since he was plunked. He has to conserve his biggest swings.
“I used to let it go every at-bat. I am not swinging from my (heels) as much,” Tulowitzki said. “It’s only going to get better, but right now I need to get on base.”
Olivo feels draft.
Miguel Olivo is a notoriously streaky hitter, but his latest stretch is troubling even for him. He didn’t start Friday after striking out in seven of his previous eight at-bats.
“I don’t know what is going on. I guess that’s just baseball,” said Olivo, whose .297 average still leads all NL catchers.
Olivo also has had to adjust to sharing playing time. For the better part of the season, he was the primary starter. Chris Iannetta, however, continues to play more as he improves offensively.
“It’s part of it. He’s doing well,” said Olivo, who has a $2.5 million club option for next season.
Footnotes.
Reliever Joe Bei- mel, a former star at Duquesne, expects to have 250 friends and family at Sunday’s game. . . . Aaron Cook threw off the mound Friday and expects to begin a rehab assignment Monday in Tulsa. “As long as I am not throwing across my body, I should be good to go,” he said.
