分类： BSD
2010-07-09 10:45:38
SAN DIEGO -- The Rockies recalled center fielder Dexter Fowler from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday.
Fowler arrived with his name in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game with the Padres, and a huge smile on his face. Infielder Chris Nelson was optioned to Colorado Springs.
Before the demotion, the switch-hitting Fowler hit .216 in 139 at-bats. The big problem was his .162 mark in 99 left-handed at-bats. When his playing time diminished, the demotion was a matter of time. He admitted pressing when his opportunities became irregular.
Fowler, who surprised everyone by making the big league club last spring after not playing higher than Double-A previously, made the most of his Triple-A time, hitting .340 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 27 games. He hit .347 from the left and .324 from the right.
"It's a humbling experience, but at the same time, it was a blessing in disguise," Fowler said. "You get more at-bats. You're playing every day, which is good. It helps you produce. You want to play in the big leagues, but at the same time, you want to play and have fun. It was more at-bats and developing pitch recognition.
"I learned to relax. You don't have that many people in the stands or everything around you. You're just being locked in. It's between you and the pitcher. That's it."
Fowler said Rockies manager Jim Tracy told him he was proud of how he handled himself. Now Fowler returns to the regular lineup at a time when the games become important. The Rockies beat the National League West-leading Padres, 10-6, on Monday night, and Tuesday was the first of five more with them before the All-Star break. The Rockies also have contests with the Giants and the Cardinals.
"Any time you're playing anyone in your division, it's a tough time," Fowler said. "These guys are leading the division, so you want to gain some ground."
Teammate Brad Hawpe said of Fowler, "He's a good kid, good person, good teammate, good player. He went down there for a reason, to get better."
Nelson, 24, went 2-for-5 with two runs scored in his first stint at the Major League level.
SAN DIEGO -- Rockies right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who is off to a 14-1 start this season, is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine's July 5 issue.
Jimenez shares the cover with the Marlins' Josh Johnson and the Phillies' Roy Halladay. Jimenez also is featured within the issue with a story by Albert Chen entitled, "The Quiet Assassin," which discusses his historic season and his humility, work ethic and relationship with his family.
The issue also examines what is being called the year of the pitcher in baseball this season.
This edition of SI hits newsstands on Wednesday.
SAN DIEGO -- Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, out of the lineup Tuesday after being scratched Monday because of lower back stiffness, said he should be able to start Wednesday afternoon's finale of the three-game set with the National League West-leading Padres.
"I just never got loose [Monday]," said Helton, who on Tuesday did exercises for the back involving movements with ankle weights. "No big deal.
"It happens. I don't think it's any reason for concern. It's sore. I wouldn't call it pain."
Rockies head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said Helton, with a history of back problems, is expected to deal with periodic soreness, so days off for precautionary reasons is not a bad idea.
"We were riding him pretty hard there," Dugger said. "We had those tense games against the Red Sox at home, the first game at Anaheim was a long extra-inning game, and then we had a day game. And we traveled."
Right fielder Brad Hawpe, who suffered bruised ribs on his right side Friday, wanted to return to the lineup Tuesday, but manager Jim Tracy decided to keep him out one more day. Tracy said he wanted Hawpe to regain full range of motion while throwing.
Dugger also said right-handed reliever Taylor Buchholz, rehabbing a back injury that he suffered while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, is close to pitching on back-to-back days. Dugger said Buchholz is healthy and is just getting game experience.
The Rockies have not announced a plan on activating Buchholz. That decision could come after the All-Star break, unless the Rockies determine that the need him sooner.
SAN DIEGO -- As Rockies closer Huston Street began warming up for the ninth inning on Monday, he dealt with the adrenaline that comes with the potential of having to protect a two-run lead.
But the Rockies added two runs in the top of the ninth, so Street took the mound with less pressure. A no-run, one-hit ninth at the end of the Rockies' 10-6 victory served as a good way to ease back into his job.
Because of right shoulder and right groin injuries, Street didn't make his first 2010 appearance until June 22. Manager Jim Tracy wanted him to ease his way back into the final inning. His previous two appearances were earlier in the game.
"It was good for two reasons," Street said. "You get the emotions that you pull from that, and then the benefit of having a four-run lead as opposed to having a two-run lead, Wireless AV Module Promotion Area of Security Systems Jammers Cloisonne Cute GSM Cell Phone with Camera-Black you were able to give up a leadoff single.
"It probably was the ideal situation. As a closer, you want to get saves, but it was a really good inning. The 2-0 pitch to Adrian [Gonzalez, which resulted in a bouncer to the mound] was the turning point of the inning."
SAN DIEGO -- To help disadvantaged children in the Las Vegas Valley with shoes, socks and other essentials, Nikki Berti co-founded the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation. To honor Berti, Major League Baseball, PEOPLE Magazine and the Rockies have announced that she is the Rockies' representative of the All-Stars Among Us campaign.
Berti and her husband, Tony, provided new shoes to 225 children in need when the non-profit organization opened in 2003. In the first four months of 2010, they helped more than 2,000 children with their mobile shoe store on wheels.
The program was established last year. This year, fans cast 1.7 million votes -- more than double the from the previous year -- at PeopleAllStars.com to select the 30 winners out of 90 finalists who are serving as leaders within their communities.?
Berti, selected out of three All-Star finalists representing the Rockies, plus the All-Stars Among Us representatives from the other 29 teams, have been invited to a pre-game ceremony at the 81st All-Star Game in Anaheim on July 13 on FOX.
