LOS ANGELES — Who knew that Todd Helton would be Rockies’ most consistent hitter in the first two months of 2011?
Helton homered against the Dodgers on Wednesday night. The home run came one year to the day after Helton uttered the line that described his 2010 season: “I’m tired of being a boat anchor for the offense.”
Helton’s production hasn’t been off the charts, but his consistency has been nothing short of amazing. He hit .300 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in April and .313-3-12 in May, when the Rockies lost 21 out of 29 games.
Yes, said Rockies manager Jim Tracy, he has thought about shaking things up by moving Helton into the three- hole, where he has seven hits in 18 at-bats, including two home runs, in a cameo role.
But Tracy won’t go there.
“This guy is in such a good place,” Tracy said. “If I ventured into that and now, by doing so, this guy starts to go the other way a little bit, then I’m really second-guessing myself. I would end up compromising a guy who’s having a heck of a comeback season for himself.”
Ubaldo returns.
The Rockies’ clubhouse was buzzing late Wednesday night, and with good reason: Ubaldo was back. Ubaldo Jimenez’s four-hit shutout of the Dodgers provided hope that his issues are behind him.
Said Jimenez, when asked if he could run off a series of such outings: “Why not? It was really special today. Hopefully everything stays the same. I’m going to keep working and do whatever I have to do to be consistent.”
Jimenez has endured issues with his mechanics for most of the season, but he also has been developing arm strength after having part of his spring training curtailed by minor injuries.
Said Jimenez, after his first win since mid-September 2010: “I got my velocity back tonight.”
Footnotes.
Aaron Cook, who pitched for Colorado Springs at Fresno on Thursday night, is expected to make his 2011 major-league debut Wednesday at San Diego. “This is the best I’ve felt in two years,” Cook said. “I hope people see my commitment to this team. I want to be part of something great. We’re struggling very badly, but we have a great opportunity to do some wonderful things.” . . . John Maine, a 15-game winner for the Mets in 2007, had a June 1 opt-out clause in his contract but will stay at Colorado Springs. He was clocked at 86 mph in his last outing. . . . The Rockies claimed right-hander Josh Roenicke off waivers from Toronto and infielder Ryan Rohlinger from San Francisco, assigning both to Triple-A. Utility man Alfredo Amezaga cleared waivers and agreed to return to Colorado Springs.
Jim Armstrong, The Denver Post
