Results tagged ‘ Brad Hawpe ’

Rockies drop Barmes to eighth, sit Hawpe

The hitting woes and defensive wonder of Clint Barmes are well-chronicled. Manager Jim Tracy admitted Thursday morning that he considered giving Barmes Thursday off against Phillies lefty standout Cliff Lee. However, the glove kept him on the field. Sinkerball specialist Aaron Cook is pitching for the Rockies, and needs top-notch defense.

However, Tracy dropped Barmes to eighth in the order.

He also gave a day off to All-Star right fielder Brad Hawpe, who has gone 5-for-31 (.161) on the current road trip.

Here are the lineups:

Rockies

Dexter Fowler, CF

Seth Smith, LF

Todd Helton, 1B

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Garrett Atkins, 3B

Ryan Spilborghs, RF

Chris Iannetta, C

Clint Barmes, 2B

Aaron Cook, P

Phillies

Jimmy Rollins, SS

Shane Victorino, CF

Chase Utley, 2B

Ryan Howard, 1B

Raul Ibanez, LF

Jayson Werth, RF

Pedro Feliz, 3B

Paul Bako, C

Cliff Lee, P

Tulowitzki at cleanup: a strategic tool

Rockies manager Jim Tracy placed shortstop Troy Tulowitzzi in the cleanup position for the second time this year and in his career for Tuesday night’s game with the Phillies.

Tracy did it during a recent series against the Mets, but that was because the offense had been struggling. Tuesday’s game was a strategic move to combat Phillies left-handed starter Jamie Moyer, not to mention a bullpen with just one lefty.

Tulowitzki is between the team’s most dangerous left-handed hitters, No. 3 hitter Todd Helton and usual cleanup man Brad Hawpe. That gives Moyer different looks. And if Phillies manager Jerry Manuel uses lefty Scott Eyre later against Helton, he’ll have a decision to make: keep Eyre against Tulowitzki before facing Hawpe or lose the possibility of a left-on-left matchup with Hawpe.

This could be a trend through the rest of the series, with the Rockies facing lefties J.A. Happ on Wednesday and Cliff Lee on Thursday. But don’t expect this move to become permanent.

“Actually, I’m very comfortable where ‘Tulo’ is at [normally] in the five spot in our order,” Tracy said.

Also, switch-hitting Dexter Fowler center fielder is leading off, right-handed hitting Ryan Spilborghs is in left field and right-handed hitting Garrett Atkins is at third base.<p>

Here are the lineups:

Rockies

Dexter Fowler, CF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Ryan Spilborghs, LF

Garrett Atkins, 3B

Chris Iannetta, C

Jason Hammel, P

Phillies

Jimmy Rollins, SS

Shane Victorino, CF

Chase Utley, 2B

Ryan Howard, 1B

Raul Ibanez, LF

Jayson Werth, RF

Pedro Feliz, 3B

Carlos Ruiz, C

Jamie Moyer, P

Not worried about the West

Rockies manager Jim Tracy was asked about his team’s 16-22 record against the National League West. His reply was, essentially, the record isn’t as bad as it looks.

“I don’t think we’ve had struggles inside the National League West,” Tracy said. “I think we had some struggles specifically with one club in the early part of the season. But as far as the rest of the division is concerned, we played very good baseball.”

 

That one club, of course, is the Dodgers, against whom the Rockies are 2-10.

 

“And as we go forward, we have to be mindful of that, and hopefully through the months of August and September rectify that situation somewhat,” Tracy said. “I said at the end of the L.A. series, we’re 2-10 against them, I believe. But as far as I’m concerned, you can take those 12 games and throw them out the window because the six games we have left with them are the most important. Not to say that the other 12 weren’t, but they don’t have much baring moving forward because of where we’ve come from and where we’re at sitting here today.”

 

Well, that’s a subject for another time. The Rockies first post-All-Star break series at home is against the D-backs. And the Rox are 4-5 against them.

 

Here are the lineups:

 

D-backs
Stephen Drew, SS
Ryan Roberts, 2B
Justin Upton, RF
Mark Reynolds, 1B
Gerardo Parra, LF
Chris Young, CF
Luke Carlin, C
Augie Ojeda, 3B
Doug Davis, P
 
Rockies
Dexter Fowler, CF
Clint Barmes, 2B
Todd Helton, 1B
Brad Hawpe, RF
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Ian Stewart, 3B
Seth Smith, LF
Chris Iannetta, C
Jorge De La Rosa, P
 
In another development, outfielder Ryan Spilborghs is not with the team tonight. He is with his wife, Stacey, for the anticipated birth of the couple’s first child. Spilborghs earlier announced that the girl will be named Kierra Esperanza Spilborghs, in honor of Ryan’s mother, Esperanza, who died during Spring Training after a long illness.

Torrealba has baseball on the mind

Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba was back in the clubhouse and, more importantly, in a baseball frame of mind Tuesday afternoon.

Torrealba, who last played June 1 then had toi deal with the kidnappings if his son and two other family members in Venezuela,  played four get-in-shape games for Triple-A Colorado Springs (4-for-15). He was to be looked over by the Rockies’ training staff Tuesday before the club could activate him.

“I feel good,” Torrealba said. “I’m thinking about baseball. I had my son with me down in Colorado Springs, and that was good. I’m ready to help the team in any way I can.”

The lineup card for Tuesday’s game with the Dodgers listed Paul Phillips as the reserve catcher, behind Chris Iannetta, so it woudl be at least Wednesday before Torrealba will be back on the roster.

Here are the starting lineups:

Rockies

Seth Smith, LF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Ian Stewart, 3B

Carlos Gonzalez, CF

Chris Iannetta, C

Jason Marquis, P

Dodgers

Juan Pierre, LF

Rafael Furcal, SS

Andre Ethier, RF

Casey Blake, 3B

Mat Kemp, CF

Juan Castro, 2B

A.J. Ellis, C

Chad Billingsley, P

Bigger bat means better Smith

The Rockies’ Seth Smith entered Sunday’s start against the Athletics with a five-game hit streak. He is 3-for-8 with two home runs and six RBIs as a DH.

That coincides with Smith going to a bigger bat, from 34-inch, 31-ounce to 35-inch, 32-ounce. it makes a difference.

“This is the biggest I’ve used,” Smith said. “I tried it in batting practice and liked it.

“It makes you stay back. If you get out on your front foot at all, you’re not going to get the barrel on the baseball. Staying back is the ideal hitting position. And with a heavier bat, I can hit the ball a little bit harder.”

His new bats haven’t arrived, however. He is using Todd Helton’s.

“He’s pretty lenient,” Smith said.

Here are Sunday’s lineups:

Rockies

Dexter Fowler, CF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Ian Stewart, 3B

Chris Iannetta, C

Carlos Gonzalez, LF

Seth Smith, DH

Starting pitcher — Aaron Cook

Athletics

Adam Kennedy, 3B

Jack Cust, RF

Matt Holliday, LF

Jason Giambi, 1B

Kurt Suzuki, DH

Orlando Cabrera, SS

Ryan Sweeney, CF

Landon Powell, C

Mark Ellis, 2B

Starting pitcher — Vin Mazzaro

 

Tracy hopes De La Rosa lets it flow

Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa has experienced some wild swings this season, sometimes within the same game. But going into Saturday night’s start against the Athletics, he’s swinging the right way. He has won three of his last four starts.

“He’s a get-untracked type guy,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “I don’t know that he’s the type of guy where every single time he walks out there, he’s completely untracked right from jump street. I don’t think that’s the case.

“He has special pitches. He’s got swing-and-miss type pitches that if he’s trying to get untracked, he can make a couple of those pitches and they can get him through some things.

“The biggest thing that I want to see with Jorge is tempo. I believe his tempo can get a little bit better, not only make him better but also the people that are standing behind him.”

In lineup news, Clint Barmes, who went 2-for-4 from the No. 9 slot Friday night, is back in his customary No. 2 position.

Here are the lineups as the Rockies attempt to win the series:

Rockies

Seth Smith, LF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Ian Stewart, 3B

Garrett Atkins, 3B

Carlos Gonzalez, CF

Paul Phillips, C

Starting pitcher — Jorge De La Rosa

Athletics

Adam Kennedy, 2B

Kurt Suzuki, C

Matt Holliday, LF

Nomar Garciaparra, DH

Jason Giamba, 1B

Orlando Cabrera, SS

Jack Cust, RF

Bobby Crosby, 3B

Rajai Davis, CF

Atkins siezes chance; Time to take notice?

This could turn out well for third baseman Garrett Atkins and the Rockies.

Atkins lashed three hits, including a home run, Wednesday against the Angels, and is back in the lineip for Friday night’s opener of three against the Athletics. If this is Atkins’ showcase for a trade, then so be it.

Atkins has hit .302 (13-for-43) this month, with three home runs and six RBIs in 15 games. Also, the Athletics are starting left-hander Dallas Braden, and Atkins is 9-for-his-last-21 against lefties.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy is proud of how Atkins has worked despite being supplanted by Ian Stewart at third base.

“He has been a complete professional,” Tracy said. “And I really believe if I’m looking at this correctly, from some of the types of at-bats I’ve seen him take as of late, he’s real interested of making a statement, ‘I’m still the Garrett Atkins that drove in over 100 runs three out of the last four years.’

“If he continues to force the issue that way, then obviously he will force our hand to do something very positive for the Colorado Rockies.”

Atkins will hit cleanup and clint Barmes, who went 0-for-12 in three games against the Angels, will bat ninth. Ryan Spilborghs moves into Barmes’ No. 2 hole. Here are the full lineups for both teams:

Rockies

Dexter Fowler, CF

Ryan Spilborghs, LF

Todd Helton, 1B

Garrett Atkins, DH

Brad Hawpe, RF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Chris Iannetta, C

Ian Stewart, 3B

Clint Barmes, 2B

Starting pitcher — Jason Hammel

Athletics

Adam Kennedy, 2B

Jack Cust, RF

Matt Holliday, LF

Jason Giambi, DH

Kurt Suzuki, C

Orlando Cabrera, SS

Ryan Sweeney, CF

Daric Barton, 1B

Jack Hannahan, 3B

Starting pitcher — Dallas Braden

 

 

On-base machine Smith to lead off

To give Dexter Fowler a day off, the Rockies are starting Seth Smith as the leadoff man for Thursday’s deciding game of three with the Rays. Smith will play left field, and Carlos Gonzalez will play the centre field that Fowler usually roams. The numbers certainly support putting Smith atop the order.

Smith’s pinch-hit single Wednesday night improved his on-base percentage for he season to .423. He has reached in 14 of his 26 pinch-hit appearances.

“First and foremost, he knows what a strike and what a ball looks like, and he will not expand his strike zone,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “He doesn’t chase a lot.”

For a young player, Smith has a veteran’s knack for pinch-hitting and situational hitting.

“I see an an awareness as to what his responsibilities are for a given situation,” Tracy said. “For example, you’re leading an inning off as a pinch-hitter off the bench, we’re down by a run. He’ll show you the presence of mind of understanding, ‘I’m here to do anything I can do to get to first base.’”

Here are today’s lineups:

Rays

B.J. Upton, CF

Carl Crawford, LF

Evan Longoria, 3B

Carlos Pena, 1B

Ben Zobrist, 2B

Gabe Gross, RF

Jason Bartlett, SS

Dioner Navarro, C

Matt Garza, P

Rockies

Seth Smith, LF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Ian Stewart, 3B

Carlos Gonzalez, CF

Paul Phillips, C

Ubaldo Jimenez, P

 

Throwing a man a bone

Rockies right-hander Taylor Buchholz underwent Tommy John ligament transfer surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. Rockies manager Jim Tracy discussed the surgery with Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger, who told him Buchholz received a surprise.

“As to the state that the ligament was in, there was a piece of bone actually growing into the ligament,” Tracy said. “Apparently, what ‘Doogie’ had said to me was the doctor maintained the fragment and gave it to him, just so he could see it.”

– In a lineup stacked with right-handed hitters, Garrett Atkins gets the start at third base instead of left-handed hitting ian Stewart.

Atkins, in spot duty, has been on base in six of his last 12 plate appearances, and is on a 6-for-12 run against lefty pitchers.

“Here’s an opportunity to see where he’s at, and let him know something that I looked him in the eye and told him in St. Louis, ‘Unless you quit on yourself, I’m not going to quit on you,’” Tracy said. “You’ve got to find spots to put him in there.”

Tracy said he wants to play Atkins enough to get his “pilot light burning all the way up, instead of some of the flickers we see periodically.”

 

– Here are lineups for Wednesday night’s game against the Rays:

Rays

B.J. Upton, CF

Carl Crawford, LF

Evan Longoria, 3B

Carlos Pena, 1B

Ben Zobrist, 2B

Pat Burrell, RF

Jason Bartlett, SS

Michel Hernandez, C

David Price, P

Rockies

Dexter Fowler, CF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Garrett Atkins, 3B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Ryan Spilborghs, LF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Chris Iannetta, C

Aaron Cook, P

Stewart, Barmes in, Atkins out for Cards finale

Rockies manager Jim Tracy, needing to stay with the hot bats of Ian Stewart and Clint Barmes, left third baseman Garrett Atkins out of the lineup for Monday’s finale of a four-game set with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Tracy insisted, however, that Atkins is not going to be buried on the bench. Tracy will look for favorable matchups, try to put him in key pinch-hit situations and see if he can make Atkins a viable lineup option. Atkins has shown life lately, but he is batting .189 with fivfe home runs and 20 RBIs.

“In no way do I want to be having people thinking or suggesting that that’s it with Garrett Atkins, but because of where we’re at right now I am in a position to pick spots for the time being that make the most sense,” Tracy said.

Here are Monday’s lineups:

Rockies

Dexter Fowler, CF

Clint Barmes, 2B

Todd Helton, 1B

Brad Hawpe, RF

Troy Tulowitzki, SS

Carlos Gonzalez, LF

Paul Phillips, C

Jason Marquis, P

Cardinals

Skip Schumaker, 2B

Colby Rasmus, CF

Albert Pujols, 1B

Ryan Ludwick, RF

Chris Duncan, LF

Yadier Molina, C

Tyler Greene, 3B

Brad Thompson, P

Brendan Ryan, SS

« older posts | back to blog home | newer posts »
Theme: MLB “pro” | Get a free blog at WordPress.com
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.