NEW YORK — Twitter didn’t like the hitters. Once the Rockies’ lineup was posted with right-handers, the response was overwhelmingly against it.
Manager Jim Tracy understood the question was coming as he sat down for Saturday’s pregame news conference.
Why isn’t Seth Smith playing? The issue’s shelf life extended for three more hours when Smith produced the only RBI hit against Yankees left- hander CC Sabathia, and that came in the eighth inning.
“I have no (second thoughts) because of the way he pitched (Jason) Giambi, (Todd) Helton and (Carlos) Gonzalez early in the game,” Tracy said. “I didn’t want to expose Seth or (rookie) Charlie Blackmon to that.”
Ryan Spilborghs and Eric Young Jr. flanked Gonzalez in the outfield, going 2-for-7.
Spilborghs is 14-for-56 against left-handers this season. Smith is 9-for-40. Smith, however, has been one of the Rockies’ most consistent offensive performers.
Tracy conceded that he would try to play Smith more against left-handers, while still protecting him against the elite starters.
“I can see why they don’t start lefties against (Sabathia) and why (Tracy) did the same thing,” Helton said. “It’s not a lot of fun.”
Grand ol’ time.
The Yankees host their Old-Timers’ game at Yankee Stadium today before the series finale. Goose Gossage of Colorado Springs is among several Hall of Famers scheduled to appear. Rockies broadcaster George Frazier will participate too.
Frazier always talks glowingly about his time with the Yankees, despite losing three games in the 1981 World Series.
Frazier was an effective reliever for the Yankees. This will be his first Old-Timers’ game. He has been invited before, but his broadcasting schedule prevented him from attending. Former Yankees managers Joe Torre and Lou Piniella will have news conferences before the game.
Footnotes.
Rockies closer Huston Street is expected to be available to pitch today after dealing with a sore groin Saturday. . . . In 15 career games against the Yankees and Mets, Troy Tulowitzki is 24-for-56 (including six home runs). . . . Ty Wigginton has reached double figures in home runs in each of the last six seasons. . . . Sabathia has won 50 games for the Yankees in 85 starts. . . . The Yankees are a major league-best 21-4 in day games. . . . Aaron Cook is 6-10 with a 5.18 ERA in 19 career interleague starts.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
