ST. LOUIS — Troy Tulowitzki’s debut with Toronto was must-see TV for the Rockies.
The former Rockies shortstop homered and also hit two doubles in his first game with the Blue Jays, who hammered the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 on Wednesday.
“I was thrilled for Tulo,” manager Walt Weiss said Thursday at Busch Stadium before the Rockies took on the Cardinals. “That’s not an easy situation, but Tulo’s a special player, so it didn’t surprise me to see him do that.”
The Rockies watched Tulo’s debut before they flew to St. Louis from Chicago. Tulowitzki, who had worn Rockies purple since making his big-league debut Aug. 30, 2006, was traded to Toronto early Tuesday morning in a blockbuster deal. The Rockies received shortstop Jose Reyes and three pitching prospects from Toronto.
“I was so happy for him,” said third baseman Nolan Arenado, Tulowitzki’s close friend. “He stepped up in a big moment, and that’s what great ballplayers do.”
Second baseman DJ LeMahieu said he expects Tulowitzki, a five-time all-star, to shine north of the border.
“That’s just who he is,” LeMahieu said. “He’s in a pennant race now and I think he will respond. He’s been playing well, but I can see him taking his game to another level.”
Arenado agreed.
“Absolutely true,” Arenado said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Tulo do some things that make you stop and say ‘Wow, I haven’t seen that since he was younger.’ I wouldn’t be surprised by that at all.
“He’s going for the playoffs now, so there is an adrenaline rush. I think he’s going to have fun going to the ballpark every day. That’s the main thing for him, knowing he’s got a chance to compete. That’s what he’s told me he’s always wanted to do, so he’s excited.”
CarGo trade talk, will he stay or will he go?
Carlos Gonzalez has been mentioned frequently as baseball’s nonwaiver trade deadline arrives Friday at 2 p.m. MDT. So much so that after Tulowitzki was traded to Toronto, Weiss talked to Gonzalez.
“He told me to relax and just focus on baseball,” Gonzalez said. “But I think I already was relaxed. As I’ve told you guys a bunch of times, all I can do is play baseball and try my best to help the Rockies win. I feel like I have been doing that.”
Rockies now have speed at top of lineup
The addition of Reyes is changing Colorado’s offense. With Charlie Blackmon leading off, at least for now, and Reyes hitting second, there is potent speed at the top of the lineup.
“We don’t want to force the issue, but there is no doubt that (Reyes) and Charlie at the top of the order brings us a different dynamic,” Weiss said. “You may see them in motion, and I like that style of game. But you also need the right personnel, because you don’t want to fit square pegs in round holes.”
Reyes, a switch hitter, certainly can’t match Tulo’s power. But he can bunt for base hits.
“He can play that game from either side of the plate. That’s part of his skill set,” Weiss said.
Looking ahead
Rockies’ Kyle Kendrick (4-11, 6.33 ERA) at Cardinals’ Michael Wacha (11-4, 3.27), 6:15 p.m. Friday, ROOT; 850 AM
On paper, this mismatch is akin to Alabama football taking on Charleston Southern. At 24, Wacha is one of the best young right-handers in baseball. He is tied for second in the National League with 11 wins, and already has 99 strikeouts. He struck out a season-high 10 at Colorado on June 9, but he took the loss, allowing four runs in 6 innings as the Rockies won 4-3. Kendrick has struggled most of the season. The Rockies are only 6-14 in his 20 starts, but he did win his last outing — a 17-7 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday. Still, Kendrick wasn’t sharp, giving up six runs and seven hits in just five innings.
Saturday: Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (6-4, 5.03 ERA) at Cardinals’ Lance Lynn (8-5, 2.71), 5:15 p.m., ROOT
Sunday: Rockies’ Yohan Flande (1-1, 3.68) at Cardinals’ Jaime Garcia (3-4, 2.00), 12:15 p.m., ROOT
Monday: Mariners’ Felix Hernandez (12-6, 3.02) at Rockies’ Eddie Butler (3-7, 4.82), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
