Rockies report: Spilborghs takes swings

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 13, 2008 at 9 p.m.

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2 times this season first baseman Joe Koshansky has hit for the cycle at Triple-A Colorado Springs, the first time that has happened. He did it on Tuesday night against Arizona's Tucson affiliate, and also on May 24 against Seattle's Tacoma affiliate.

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Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, out since July 9 with a strained muscle in his left side, was allowed to swing a bat in the batting cage for the first time on Wednesday. Spilborghs took 30 cuts without any immediate problems. He also continued to play catch in the afternoon.

"There's no timetable," he said. "We'll have to see how I feel (Thursday)."

First baseman Garrett Atkins most likely won't play until sometime this weekend in Washington, D.C., at the earliest. Sidelined with step throat, Atkins has not eaten since mid-day Monday.

NO. 17

First baseman Todd Helton, on the 60-day disabled list with lower back problems, said it is hard for him to critique the team because, "I'm not out there. I'm not part of what's going on."

Manager Clint Hurdle, however, admits there is a hole without Helton.

"You never want to leave a player of Todd's experience and production behind," said Hurdle. "There is an intangible there that is special with him."

Helton is not eligible to come off the disabled list until Sept. 2, and given the lack of progress in his recovery there odds are growing he might not play again this season.

ETC.

The Rockies have homered in eight consecutive games, one short of the longest streak this season. Ian Stewart has homered in four of the games, including Wednesday when he, Hawpe and Clint Barmes had home runs. . . . Slaten was activated from the disabled list and pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday. Right- hander Billy Buckner was sent to Triple-A Tucson to make room. . . . Catcher Chris Iannetta's 14 home runs are the third best single-season total for a Rockies catcher. Charles Johnson hit 20 in 2003, and Jeff Reed had 17 in 1997. He has hit fourth in back-to- back games, the first catcher to hit fourth for the Rockies since Todd Greene on May 21, 2005. . . . Second baseman Jayson Nix hit third for Team USA in its 8-7 loss to South Korea in both teams' first game in the Olympics on Wednesday. Nix was 1-for-5 with a double and run scored. Center fielder Dexter Fowler pinch ran and scored. . . . After the series ends tonight, the Rockies and Diamondbacks have two more series this season, playing each other in six of the final nine games of the regular season. Arizona visits Coors Field from Sept. 19-21, and the Rockies end the regular season in Arizona from Sept. 26-28. . . . Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew doubled and scored the tying run in the seventh, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 15 games.