Rockies report: Helton keeps improving

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 31, 2008 at 6:22 p.m.

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4 consecutive quality starts for left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis, sidelined earlier in the season by left shoulder inflammation. Francis is 1-0 in the four starts, but has a 2.42 ERA, including allowing one run in seven innings of a no-decision on Sunday.

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First baseman Todd Helton continues to move forward in his quest to return to the active roster before the season ends in four weeks.

Helton, out since July 3 with lower back stiffness, swung the bat all three days the Rockies were in San Diego, including taking regular batting practice Saturday and Sunday.

Two times previously, since he was disabled, Helton has suffered significant setbacks when he started to swing the bat, but not this time.

“We are trying to figure out a plan of attack,” Helton said. “If I can play I want to play (not be a bat off the bench). I’m not looking at next year or sitting on my stats or anything. I want to play and do my job.”

TORREALBA PLANS

Trainer Keith Dugger said he will meet with team doctors and catcher Yorvit Torrealba Monday to decide a date for the surgery to repair a torn meniscus in Torrealba’s left knee.

Torrealba said he would like to come back before the end of the season, but with only four weeks remaining and a best-case scenario of a three-week recovery period, that isn’t expected.

Adam Melhuse was called up during the weekend, and Edwin Bellorin is expected to be added Tuesday as part of the expansion of the active roster from 25 to 40. That will give the Rockies three catchers for the final month.

Manager Clint Hurdle did say, however, that even before Torrealba’s injury Chris Iannetta emerged as the No. 1 catcher and with Torrealba sidelined Iannetta’s playing time should increase even more.

Etc.

Padres right-hander pitcher Peavy's 13 strikeouts equaled the most by a Padres pitcher against the Rockies. Oliver Perez struck out 13 on July 7, 2002. It was the 27th time in his career Peavy has struck out 10 or more, the third time this year and the second time this year against the Rockies. He struck out 11 in eight innings of the Rockies' 2-1, 22-inning win at Petco Park on April 17. . . . Peavy scored from first base on a Luis Rodriguez two-out double in the fifth, and said he doubts he could have done that if he had not been trying to steal second on the pitch Rodriguez hit. . . . The Rockies went 15-13 in August, their second consecutive winning month, and the third time in four years they had a winning August. They were 15-14 last year and also in 2005. . . . The Rockies' 2-1 loss Sunday was only the second time they have lost in their last 11 one-run games. They are 21-18 overall in one-run games. . . . The Rockies have hit four home runs in their last 10 games. . . . Right fielder Brad Hawpe struggles more at Petco Park than any Rockies regular. He went 1-for-4 and scored in the ninth Sunday, but he struck out three times and is 6-for-36 lifetime in the park.

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