NEW YORK — There’s a balance at work, Troy Tulowitzki weighing realism with optimism.
The Rockies aren’t buried, but aren’t showing life either. With 49 games left, they can’t pedal the Tour de France on the stationary bike. They need to start gaining ground.
“I don’t think it’s ever too late because of our recent history,” said Tulowitzki, who has five multihit games in his last seven starts.
“You have a lot of guys in this room that were part of what we did last season. We aren’t looking at a repeat of 2007. You can just throw it out there that it won’t happen again. But we can still make a run.”
That has proven impossible thus far because of road issues. The Rockies continue to limp through trips (5-13 over their last 18 games). The Rockies enter today 3-3 on the trip — they blew a three-run comeback Saturday and fell 1-0 in the opener against the Mets — but regained traction with Melvin Mora’s grand slam Wednesday. Realistically, the Rockies need 33 more wins to be in the playoff discussion.
“The other teams in front of us aren’t doing much, either,” Tulowitzki said. “But it doesn’t matter if we don’t start winning.”
Yo, Chacin.
Jhoulys Chacin is making a push to return to the Rockies’ rotation after a scoreless performance Tuesday night in Triple-A. Manager Jim Tracy said Chacin would be considered for a start on Aug. 20 at Arizona, along with Esmil Rogers.
Chacin wasn’t promoted last weekend because he was reconditioning his arm following a month in the bullpen. He threw 89 pitches Tuesday. Rogers earned a second consecutive assignment this Saturday against the Brewers after beating the Pirates.
“You can make a strong case that if not for Jhoulys, Esmil and (infielder) Jonathan Herrera, we wouldn’t be where we are,” Tracy said.
Footnotes.
Closer Huston Street rejoined the team and was available to pitch. He said his 7-pound, 3-ounce son Ripken wasn’t named after Cal Ripken, “but obviously I don’t mind the association.” . . . Aaron Cook (sprained right big toe) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and will need at least two more before beginning a rehab assignment in Double-A. It’s unlikely he will be activated before rosters expand on Sept. 1. . . . Triple-A infielder Omar Quintanilla, who has played sparingly in the minors this year because of injuries, was suspended 50 games after testing positive for methylhexaneamine, a performance-enhancing substance.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
