Rockies Report: Helton rests

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 27, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

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Photo by Duane Burleson, Associated Press

Tigers left fielder Clete Thomas can't make a leaping catch of a flyball hit by Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday in the ninth inning Friday night in Detroit. Holliday doubled on the play.

He said it

"It's not life or death. We have proven that. We haven't done well with it and we are all still living."

Clint Hurdle, Rockies manager, on the team's .238 average with runners in scoring position.

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HELTON RESTS

First baseman Todd Helton was out of the lineup for the fifth time this season and the second time in eight games. Helton is 10-for-61 in his past 17 games, his average dropping from .295 to .267. He said the problem is mental, not physical, but he wasn't sure if he would be back in the lineup Saturday.

"I am resting for a reason. I suck," he said. "It's all mental. I have to stop thinking about things and focus on seeing the ball and hitting it. Sometimes you get into the season and things are going bad and everything speeds up. You keep looking for answers until you let things slow down."

LEFT OUT

Left-handed pitcher Micah Bowie declined his assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs and will become a free agent. Bowie had been on the disabled list, but instead of being activated to the major league roster, he was put through waivers and sent to the Sky Sox.

Left-handers Cedrick Bowers and Glendon Rusch would seem to be ahead of Bowie as far as a candidate for another lefty in the bullpen, which played into his decision. The Rockies could add a lefty for their homestand starting Monday. The challenge will be creating a spot. Right-hander Ryan Speier is the only reliever who has an option.

ETC.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who was born in Big Rapids, Mich., and grew up a Detroit sports fan, spent three hours at the Ernie Harwell exhibit at the Detroit Public Library on Friday, and he also met with Lions coach Rod Marinelli. "From my hotel room, I can see Tiger Stadium, formerly Briggs Stadium, when I visited it," Hurdle said. "That summer trip from the farm to the big city was priceless." . . . The Rockies are averaging 3.27 runs per nine innings when Jimenez is pitching, the fourth- lowest run support in the National League. Washington has averaged 2.33 runs for John Lannan, Cincinnati 2.82 for Aaron Harang and San Diego 3.26 runs for Greg Maddux. . . . Right-hander Ryan Speier gave up a run in three innings Friday. He has given up runs in three of his past four appearances. . . . Tigers manager Jim Leyland rested left fielder Marcus Thames and shortstop Edgar Renteria for the second game in a row, but he indicated they both would be back tonight. . . . Tigers designated hitter Sheffield batted seventh, the first time he has hit that low in a lineup since his rookie season of 1989. . . . The Tigers have won 15 of their past 19 games.