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Rockies' Nix plays like veteran

Rookie's patience in eighth leads to winning run

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 2, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Rockies second baseman Jayson Nix tags out St. Louis' Chris Duncan on a stolen-base attempt. Nix drew a two out, based- loaded walk in the eighth to give the Rockies a 2-1 lead.

Photo by Chris Schneider / The Rocky

Rockies second baseman Jayson Nix tags out St. Louis' Chris Duncan on a stolen-base attempt. Nix drew a two out, based- loaded walk in the eighth to give the Rockies a 2-1 lead.

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The new guy in the Rockies lineup, rookie Jayson Nix, had a bit of veteran awareness in his major league debut Tuesday night.

He drew the two-out bases loaded walk that forced in the deciding run in the eighth inning of the Rockies' 2-1 season-opening victory at Busch Stadium.

"He showed good discipline," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He watched the two guys in front of him. (Left-handed reliever Randy) Flores was mixing things up, challenging our plate discipline."

Taking over for Ryan Franklin with the score tied 1-1 and the bases loaded, Flores won the challenge with left-handed hitting Brad Hawpe, needing only three pitches to strike out Hawpe swinging. Five pitches later, the right-handed-hitting Yorvit Torrealba struck out, also swinging.

But Nix only swung at one of the five pitches he was thrown. Nix watched and learned, "especially the Torrealba at-bat," said Nix, also a right-handed hitter.

"He was staying in and missing with his cutter and curveball," Nix said. "I went up there taking anything inside, looking for a good pitch to hit middle away."

Nix never got that pitch.

"That why I did not swing (at the final three pitches)," he said.

But he did celebrate.

After seven years in the minors, the one-time top prospect in the organization who had reached the point of being a bit suspect finally got his major league chance.

As well as getting two lineup cards to remember the moment - the one from Monday's rain- postponed game and the one from Tuesday's victory. He also got the satisfaction of being a key part in the victory.

"It feels good to be here," said Nix, the Rockies' top draft pick in 2001, a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds as compensation for failing to sign 2000 No. 1 pick Matt Harrington. "Being part of the guys and contributing something means a lot to me."

The way he contributed is significant to the Rockies. He played a solid second base, including making the pivot on the first-inning double play that helped starting pitcher Kip Wells settle in after walking Skip Schumaker to lead off the inning.

And he showed plate discipline, walking twice in four plate appearances, which is critical for a No. 8 hitter.

"That's not a surprise to any of us who played with him in the minors," infielder Clint Barmes said. " 'Nixie' knows the strike zone. He knows the fundamentals of this game."

Now the Cardinals know it, too.

Comments

  • April 2, 2008

    6:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BobbyJohn writes:

    I think anyone who was fretting over Kaz Matsui leaving ought to cease worrying. Nix can play defense (he's a touch better than Kaz with the glove), and he's going to be just fine at the plate, too.