Rockies report: Homecoming for Grilli
By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News
Published June 26, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
"When you execute, you put yourself in position to win games. When you don't execute, you put yourself in position to lose games. We need to execute better."
Clint Hurdle, manager, on what the Rockies must do to improve.
7 wins for the Rockies in 12 interleague games this year. They need to win one of three in Detroit to claim a winning record against the American League for the third year in a row. The Rockies have lost five of six to Kansas City last year and this, leaving them 16-8 against the rest of the AL.
HOMECOMING FOR GRILLI
Right-handed pitcher Jason Grilli is looking forward to a return to Detroit.
Acquired by the Rockies from the Tigers earlier in the season, Grilli appeared in 142 games the past two seasons for the Tigers, with whom his father, Steve, pitched three decades ago.
"I have nothing but positive feelings and great memories," Grilli said. "I wore my dad's jersey, and No. 49. Same team as him. That was special."
Grilli said his father, who lives in Syracuse, N.Y., will be in Detroit for the three games.
Etc.
Catcher Adam Melhuse has rejoined the Rockies organization. He initially reported to short-season Tri-City to get in shape and is expected to be promoted to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Melhuse, who was with the Rockies in 2000 and 2001, will give them additional catching protection, along with current Sky Sox catcher Edwin Bellorin. . . . The Rockies have had three players reach 10 home runs in the past five games - Garrett Atkins on Saturday, Matt Holliday on Tuesday and Brad Hawpe on Wednesday. The team had gone a club record 74 games without anyone reaching 10 home runs. The previous longest stretch without a player hitting 10 home runs came in the inaugural season of 1993 when Andres Galarraga hit No. 10 in the 62nd game. . . . Hawpe's home run was his 10th in interleague play since the start of last year, tied for the tops in the National League with Cincinnati's Adam Dunn and Milwaukee's Prince Fielder. . . . Brian Fuentes struck out John Buck on Wednesday, the 416th strikeout of his career, moving him into fourth place on Rockies' all-time list. Pedro Astacio holds the club record with 749. . . . None of the 16 Rockies players who have drawn a walk during the four-game losing streak has scored. The Rockies never have led in the 36 innings of their losing streak. . . . First baseman Todd Helton is in a 10-for-61 slide in his past 17 games, dropping his average from .295 to .267. . . . Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is 3-for-20 since coming off the disabled list.
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