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Rockies report: Hot Stewart

By Pat Rooney and Jack Etkin

Published July 22, 2008 at 11:59 p.m.

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The Rockies finish up with the Dodgers on Wednesday and embark on a road trip to Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Florida that should determine if they'll remain in contention in the National League West.

Video Video: The Rockies finish up with the Dodgers on Wednesday and embark on a road trip to Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Florida that should determine if they'll remain in contention in the National League West. Watch »

Numbers Game

9 players in Rockies history have recorded at least 300 RBI, a group Brad Hawpe joined Monday. Hawpe, whose two RBI on Tuesday increased his career total to 303, ranks third all-time for the Rockies in RBI by left-handed hitters, trailing Todd Helton (1,116) and Larry Walker (848).

Ian Stewart needed to make adjustments after striking out 28 times in 55 at-bats earlier this season, prompting a refresher course with Triple-A Colorado Springs. So far, a revamped Stewart has earned strong reviews since getting recalled Saturday.

Stewart has a hit in all four games since his return, going 3-for-3 with four RBI on Tuesday. In the four games, Stewart has gone 9-for-17 with three doubles, 10 RBI and four strikeouts.

"We sent him down with some instructions, and to his credit and to (that of Colorado Springs) hitting coach Rene Lachemann, they were able to put some things in play," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "His swing has shortened up a bit."

ROTATION WOES

One day after Kip Wells' disastrous start, Hurdle said his staff still is "figuring it out . . . and working through some things" regarding who will fill out the starting rotation later this week.

The club has not announced who will start Saturday in Cincinnati, but a likely candidate is left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who gave up one run in six innings in his most recent start against Pittsburgh.

With an off day Thursday, Ubaldo Jimenez, Tuesday's starter, will move up a slot to start Sunday.

Because Jeff Francis is scheduled to make at least one more minor league start on his rehabilitation assignment, the Rockies might not have any other option but to start Wells at Pittsburgh when an open spot comes up Tuesday.

ETC.

Tuesday's walk-up tickets sales of nearly 8,000 was the second-most for a midweek game in franchise history, trailing only the 8,000-plus sold Aug. 4, 2004, against the Chicago Cubs. . . . Tulowitzki went 2-for-3 and had hit in six consecutive at-bats before striking out in the fifth inning. Tulowitzki is 7-for-9 in two games since returning from the disabled list, increasing his batting average from .166 to .200. It is the first time since April 8 that Tulowitzki's average has reached .200. . . . Jeff Baker, who went 4-for-5 to tie a career-best hits total, has recorded at least one hit in 10 consecutive home games. . . . Atkins entered the All-Star break on an 0-for-13 slide but has posted a hit in all six games since the break. . . . Willy Taveras recorded his 42nd stolen base, tying Eric Young's 1993 total for the fourth- best single-season mark in team history. Taveras is 11 stolen bases short of tying Young's single-season mark set in 1996. . . . Matt Holliday posted his third consecutive multihit game, going 8-for-12 with five RBI during that span. . . . Jimenez's complete game was only the third thrown by a Rockies pitcher besides Aaron Cook since the beginning of the 2007 season. Cook had the Rockies' only two complete games this season before Tuesday. Cook also had two last season, while Jeff Francis and Jason Hirsh recorded one apiece.

Comments

  • July 23, 2008

    5:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wilburM writes:

    "Because Jeff Francis is scheduled to make at least one more minor league start on his rehabilitation assignment, the Rockies might not have any other option but to start Wells at Pittsburgh when an open spot comes up Tuesday."

    there are ALWAYS other options. Release him. Sign a warm body. Call up a young minor leaguer. Start Brad Hawpe. Start one of the long relievers. Start David Nied. Even Redman would be better. We don't care who else, just ABW. Anybody. But. Wells.

  • July 23, 2008

    7:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hambone writes:

    Please, not Redman!!! He is a salad tosser.

    It is good to see Ubaldo showing how good he can be. His stuff is SICK!!! If The Rockies could ever get Morales back to last year's form, the rotation would look a lot better.

  • July 23, 2008

    11:21 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    Dan O'Dowd/Clint Hurdle - if you're reading this, I recommend that you place Kip Wells on waivers, and sign me to a 15-day contract at the league minimum salary. I have a fastball that could reach the 60's, if I was given a couple days to practice. I have no curveball, no changeup and no slider. I have control issues, which works to my advantage to keep the hitters "off-balance". I also have an underhanded "floater pitch" in my arsenal, which complements my fastball nicely. Another thing that works in my favor is that my delivery is deceptive, and due to the low speed of my fastball, hitters are often in front of my pitches. I also have implicit trust in the Rockies fielders, so I'm willing to "trust my stuff", "challenge hitters", dare them to put the ball in play, and let my team take care of it.
    In addition, I would be a positive influence in the clubhouse. I would not solicit prostitutes like Neagle, I would not assault coaches like Chacon, and I can be counted on to get more outs in a game than Kip Wells.
    Have your people call my people.

  • July 23, 2008

    11:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    toetap writes:

    I am not sure DeimosJB would qualify to pitch on my softball team, let alone the Rockies...but he can play on my All-Blogger Team anytime he wants!

  • July 23, 2008

    5:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mazekl writes:

    DeimosJB, if the Rocks don't call you, perhaps the News will - you're a whole lot better than Lincicome!

  • July 23, 2008

    7:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    1somelikeithot writes:

    I 2nd, 3rd and 4th that a million times over. Get rid of the ole Kiper. Barmes moving to the outfield. Interesting.