Rockies' Towers playing for keeps

Pitcher knows he must separate self if he wants to stay

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 10, 2008 at 7:03 p.m.

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Photo by Christian Petersen / Afp/Getty Images

"It's up to me to make the most of my chances and change minds," pitcher Josh Towers said.

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TUCSON - Right-handed pitcher Josh Towers can't afford to play for a tie in the battle for the two open spots in the Rockies rotation.

All things being equal in his battle with left-handers Franklin Morales and Mark Redman and right-hander Kip Wells, and Towers will wind up on the outside - which he understands, even if he doesn't welcome the idea.

"We all want to be here on Opening Day," said Towers, 31. "I've been sent out before. It is never fun. I don't feel I need to be there. It's up to me to make the most of my chances and change minds."

Towers showed his ability to adapt in the course of the game in the Rockies' 10-9 loss to Arizona at Hi Corbett Field on Monday afternoon. After striking out Chris Young looking to start the game, he was the victim of a four-run first inning.

But Towers regrouped and retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced. The only runner he allowed came on third baseman Garrett Atkins' fielding error. Only two of the final 10 outs came on flyballs to the outfield.

Earlier in the day, Redman allowed four hits and struck out two in four shutout innings of a 4-3 "B" game victory against the Chicago White Sox. And that came one day after Morales' four strong innings against San Francisco.

In shaking down the Rockies' season-opening rotation, as well as the results on the field, the contract situations will factor in, too.

It's all about strength in numbers and building depth, not only on the major league staff but also at Triple-A Colorado Springs, so when the need arises during the season, the Rockies have in- house candidates to fill pitching voids.

Last year, when the Rockies set a franchise record with a 4.32 ERA, they used 13 starting pitchers. They have used at least 10 starters in all but one season - 1999, when they used nine - including 13 three times, and a franchise record 15 starters in 1993, their first year of existence.

"You know that over the course of the season every team needs a ton of pitching," Towers said. "Every team wants to have quality arms that can step in. This is a good situation the Rockies have. There are not enough spots for all of us out here. We understand that."

The real challenge for Towers is that among the three veterans battling for a starting job - himself, Redman and Wells - Towers is the only one the Rockies have control over if he doesn't make the major league roster.

Redman and Wells could decline minor league assignments. But Towers has a contract that calls for him to be paid at the rate of $1.8 million if he is in the majors but guarantees only $400,000. If he clears waivers, Towers would lose his contract if he didn't accept a minor league assignment.

Even the expectation Jason Hirsh's sore right shoulder will force him to start the season on the disabled list doesn't necessarily bode well for Towers. That would seem to be an asset for Morales.

If the Rockies are uncertain about whether Morales is ready for the majors, they could keep him while Hirsh is sidelined and see how the 22-year-old left-hander responds. If he struggles, they could send him to the minors when Hirsh is ready to be activated. If Morales responds to the big-league challenge, the Rockies could consider other options.

The Rockies also have talked about the left-handed Redman and right-handed Wells being bullpen options if they don't make the rotation.

"I don't think any of us try and figure out what might happen or compare what we are doing to the other guys," Towers said. "The focus for me is on what I have to do. I don't live and die with what other guys are doing."

Manager Clint Hurdle said he approaches the evaluations with caution, understanding Redman and Towers are pitchers who rely on their ability to locate pitches, not overpower hitters - very similar to Josh Fogg, who was the Rockies' fifth starter the past two years.

As a result, on bad days, it can be really bad. On good days, though, things seem easy.

Other than that first inning Towers threw on Monday, things looked easy for him and Redman.

"Touch-and-feel pitchers stay in the big leagues by making adjustments," Hurdle said. "Velocity is not going to keep them in the game. They have to pitch to bats and miss the barrels. Both of them did a better job of that (Monday)."

ACHES AND PAINS

Right-hander Luis Vizcaino, bothered by right elbow tightness, was able to throw a full bullpen session Monday, putting the possibility of having him undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam on the elbow on hold.

Right-hander Manny Corpas took a line drive off his left foot during the "B" game against the White Sox , but he came back and pitched the next inning without any complaints and did not feel a need to ice his foot afterward.

Infielder Omar Quintanilla sidelined since Wednesday with a left quadriceps contusion, played the final four innings of the loss to Arizona .

BY THE NUMBERS

7 players were sent to the minor league camp, reducing the spring training roster to 53. Right-handers Esmil Rogers and Pedro Strop, who are on the 40-man roster, were optioned to the minors. Right-handers Alberto Arias, Brandon Hynick, Greg Reynolds, Casey Weathers and Zach McClellan, signed to minor league contracts, were reassigned.

HE SAID IT

"He is seeing the ball better. His confidence is rising. He is slowing down his at-bats."

Clint Hurdle, Rockies manager, on second baseman Jayson Nix, who starting spring training 0-for-8 with five strikeouts but is 2-for-6 with two home runs, three walks and two hit by pitches in his past three games.

QUICK HITS

* Right-handed pitcher Esmil Rogers gave up three runs in the ninth inning, taking the loss in the Rockies' 10-9 loss to Arizona at Hi Corbett Field. Right-hander Greg Reynolds also gave up three runs in two innings.

* Third baseman Garrett Atkins went 3-for-3 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Clint Barmes replaced Atkins and went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI and one run.

* Center fielder Dexter Fowler went 2-for-4 with one run and a stolen base in the Rockies' 4-3 win against the White Sox in a morning "B" game at the White Sox minor league complex.

Today's game

* Rockies (Jeff Francis) vs. Seattle (Felix Hernandez), Hi Corbett Field, 2:05 p.m. MDT. No TV or radio.

Also scheduled to pitch for the Rockies: John Koronka, Micah Bowie, Josh Newman and Matt Herges.

Diamondbacks 10, Rockies 9

Arizona ab r h bi Colorado ab r h bi

Young cf 4 0 2 0 Giles dh 3 0 0 0

Raines rf 1 0 0 0 Kata ph-dh 2 0 1 0

Drew ss 4 1 1 1 Hrrera pr-dh 0 0 0 0

Ojeda ss-3b 0 1 0 0 Tulowitzki ss 2 1 1 0

Jackson 1b 2 1 1 0 Quintanilla ss 3 0 0 0

Kelly 3b-1b 2 1 2 1 Helton 1b 3 0 2 0

Reynolds 3b 3 0 0 0 Baker 1b 2 0 0 0

Brito 1b 2 0 1 0 Holliday lf 3 0 0 0

Bnifcio pr-2b 0 1 0 0 Spilborghs lf 1 2 1 0

Nixon dh 5 1 2 1 Atkins lf 3 2 3 1

Burke 2b 3 2 2 2 Brmes 3b-2b 2 1 2 2

Mrchan 2b-ss 2 0 1 0 Hawpe rf 2 1 1 0

Salazar rf 3 1 2 1 Smith rf 2 0 1 1

Oeltjen cf 2 0 0 0 Iannetta c 3 1 1 3

Hammock c 2 1 0 0 McKenry c 2 0 0 0

Castillo c 1 0 1 0 Nix 2b 2 1 1 2

Romero lf 4 0 1 2 Stwart 2b-3b 1 0 0 0

Sullivan cf 4 0 0 0

Fowler cf 1 0 0 0

Totals 40 10 16 8 Totals 41 9 14 9

Arizona 400 003 003 - 10 16 0

Colorado 032 102 010 - 9 14 0

E - Atkins, Rogers. DP - Colorado 2. LOB - Arizona 6, Colorado 11. 2B - Nixon 2, Salazar, Romero, Kelly, Tulowitzki, Atkins, Spilborghs, Smith, Barmes. 3B - Salazar. HR - Drew, Burke, Iannetta, Nix. SB - Gilles. CS - Young, Romero.

Arizona IP H R ER BB SO

Johnson 11/3 4 3 3 1 1

Pena 12/3 3 2 2 1 1

Scherzer 2 2 1 1 2 4

Fruto 1 3 2 2 0 2

Cruz 1 0 0 0 1 1

Buckner, W 1 1 1 1 1 1

Robertson, S 1 1 0 0 0 0

Colorado IP H R ER BB SO

Towers 4 5 4 4 0 1

Fuentes 1 1 0 0 1 2

Reynolds 2 6 3 3 1 0