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First pitch, September 26

Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 26, 2006 at midnight

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HOLLIDAY HONORED

Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday on Monday was chosen co-Player of the Week in the National League with Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves for Sept. 18-24.

Holliday went 10-for-25 in seven games with three doubles, one triple, four home runs, 12 RBI and 12 runs.

WITHIN REACH

192 hits for Holliday, who needs eight in the final six games to become the first Rockies player with 200 in a season since Todd Helton (209) in 2003. Six players in franchise history have accomplished that feat a total of seven times: Dante Bichette (219 hits), Helton twice (216 and 209), Ellis Burks (211), Larry Walker (208), Vinny Castilla (206) and Juan Pierre (202).

SEPTEMBER PRESENCE

Jeff Baker, who has hit a home run in four of his past five starts, has a hit in nine of his past 10 games with at least one RBI in eight of those games. In addition to hitting .356 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 12 games, Baker, with 11 extra-base hits, has a slugging percentage of .867 and, despite one walk, a .370 on-base percentage. With runners in scoring position, Baker is 6-for-17 (.353).

STATUS REPORT

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle didn't want there to be unanswered questions about center fielder Choo Freeman, left, when the season ends. While saying his routes have improved and Freeman has shown "more athleticism" at the plate, Hurdle said, "To play every day at this level right now, I think is a bit of a challenge."

However, Hurdle lauded Freeman for taking the opportunity to play winter ball and said, "That could be a big help for him as he moves forward."

Hurdle is a big believer in winter ball, which he played four years.

"It's an opportunity for a player to better himself in a very unique environment," Hurdle said. "And today's player, more often than not, doesn't embrace it."

In a thinly veiled reference to outfielder Cory Sullivan, Hurdle said, "When we suggest it and they don't do it, you don't hold it against them, but it sure doesn't help them."