MILWAUKEE — Dexter Fowler was not the leadoff hitter Sunday. It offered the first hint of a potential lineup adjustment.
With the Rockies’ offense sputtering along at a .240 average and Fowler arguably miscast in the top spot, manager Jim Tracy made a change. Alfredo Amezaga hit first. Fow- ler, who hit leadoff in his previous 41 starts, has been a No. 2 hitter most of his career. Sunday, he tripled and scored the Rockies’ lone run as they were swept.
Asked if Fowler could remain in the No. 2 slot, Tracy didn’t dismiss the idea. It’s not like he’s the problem, but the Rockies are looking to create more traffic for Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki, who are hitting a combined .248 in 331 at-bats.
“Runs are few and far between right now,” lamented Tracy after watching a Rockies pitcher deliver a complete-game effort in a loss for the second time on the 1-4 trip.
Fowler’s .375 average with runners in scoring position leads the Rockies, and he’s reaching base 35 percent of the time. But his 54 strikeouts are 18 more than anyone else on the team, and he’s 2-for-8 in stolen base attempts.
Seth Smith and Jonathan Herrera represent potential leadoff options. The Rockies have also shown a willingness to reach to Triple-A for help over the last week. Charlie Blackmon (.344, eight home runs) has performed well for the Sky Sox, as has Eric Young Jr. (.355), who has played predominantly in the outfield at Triple-A. The Rockies could promote another hitter — not at Fowler’s expense, but for the bench — providing more lineup flexibility when the regulars get a day off.
Footnotes.
Triple-A left-handed reliever Rex Brothers touched 99 mph on his fastball over the weekend, and struck out Josh Hamilton on Sunday. Four of his five outs in a scoreless outing were on K’s. . . . Greg Reynolds joined the Rockies and will start Saturday. . . . The last time Ubaldo Jimenez lost in a complete- game effort was Sept. 1, 2010, at San Francisco. . . . Counting Sunday’s win, the Brewers are 7-96 all time when recording two or fewer hits. . . . Asked about his dive for Ryan Braun’s triple, Fowler said, “I would do it again, but I would obviously make a better throw to the cut.”
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
