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Fowler gets first start for Rockies

By Jack Etkin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 10, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.

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ATLANTA — Center fielder Dexter Fowler will make his first major-league start and bat leadoff tonight for the Rockies, a move manager Clint Hurdle said he made to try and jump-start his team’s sluggish offense rather than because he has given up on the season.

“I thought I might find a way to light a spark at the top of the lineup and backed him up with (Jeff Baker) and run from there,” Hurdle said.

Baker will bat second for the first time since Aug. 5 and will make just this third start since Aug. 23.

Fowler didn’t know he was in the lineup until he arrived this afternoon in the Rockies clubhouse and was told by teammates he was starting.

“This is probably best,” Fowler said. “I got a good night’s sleep.”

Fowler, who is from the Atlanta area, pinch ran here Tuesday night in his third major-league appearance. He also pinch ran Sept. 2 and flied to right field as a pinch hitter in his lone major league at-bat on Sept. 3.

The third-place Rockies enter play tonight seven games behind with 17 games remaining. In their past seven games, they have scored 26 runs while batting a mere .184 (42-for-228). The Rockies scored four runs Tuesday, thanks to three home runs, which accounted for half their hit total in a 5-4 loss in 10 innings.

“We haven’t really strung anything together,” Hurdle said. “It’s not any one person’s fault, but you’re only going to try and make a (lineup) change here and there. I’m not going to totally try and rebuild things.”

Hurdle said starting Fowler has nothing to do with him being from the Atlanta area.

“I wasn’t even aware he was from here, until (Tuesday) night about 20 fans accosted me during (batting practice) and threatened me about putting him in the game,” Hurdle said. “Then I went to the media guide, kind of checked it out.”

Comments

  • September 10, 2008

    3:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    SDcat writes:

    So...considering Hurdle said he wouldn't start Fowler unless the race was over...I guess he's giving up.

    Wow...that really stinks. Maybe Fowler will give us a spark....

  • September 10, 2008

    4:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheSlinger writes:

    its been over for about 2 months. our pitching has never been consistent. even our "ace" cook is showing signs of tiring and not finding the zone. how long has he been stuck on 16 wins? holliday is our only consistent threat and he's gonna go somewhere where he can get paid. last year was fun but looks like its back to the basement for rocks. sell off all the talent and "reload" for the future. a.k.a ownership is just fine making money off the fans and putting a sub par team on the field. fly that league championship banner high monforts. your never gonna get another one