NewsBarmes, Tulo form perfect duo
Colorado (30-32) vs. Seattle (30-32), 1:10 p.m. MT
By Chen Sio / MLB.com
06/14/09 1:38 AM ET
DENVER -- Rockies manager Jim Tracy said the double-play combo of second baseman Clint Barmes and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is "worth the price of admission."
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Given the recent production from Barmes and Tulowitzki, it's hard to argue with Tracy. Fans can check out Barmes and Tulowitzki when the Rockies take on the Mariners Sunday afternoon in Interleague Play.
The turnaround for Barmes and Tulowitzki has been at the plate and they have both taken different paths to get there. Barmes' turnaround began the minute Tracy was named manager after the dismissal of Clint Hurdle. In Tracy's first game, he penciled Barmes into the second spot in the batting order. Barmes has stayed there in all 16 games Tracy has managed. During that time, Barmes has hit .382 with six doubles, two triples, a home run and 12 RBIs. "I've definitely enjoyed hitting at the top of the order in that role," Barmes said. "I believe I can handle whatever challenge they throw at me at the spot. It's a position where you're expected to handle the bat." Barmes said he was struggling this season because he's trying to do too much and was pull-happy more than he should have. As a result, Tracy gave Barmes one simple advice -- stay behind the ball. "The things I remember having managed against Barmie was the fact that he was susceptible to the breaking pitch because there was not a whole lot of movement away from the ball prior to swinging," Tracy said. "The movement was straight ahead and it ends up being a collision. You're not hitting, you're colliding into the ball." Barmes took Tracy's advice and is spraying the ball all over the park better than he ever has. Tracy added that he's seen less awkward swings from Barmes on down-and-away breaking balls. When Barmes was moved up in the batting order, Tulowitzki was moved down from Barmes' present perch. He struggled in his new spot early, hitting 2-for-15 in five games before leaving a June 2 against the Astros with a left hand contusion. Tulowitzki returned on June 6 and has been a changed man ever since hitting .417 with three home runs and five RBIs in eight games. Tracy said he suggested to Tulowitzki to stand taller at the plate, which he thinks Tulowitzki has used given the recent results. "When I first met him was the first time [Hurdle] introduced me to him." Tracy said. "The first thing that came to mind from the standpoint of the body, the size of the player and as well as he plays that position at shortstop was Cal Ripken. "I saw a guy that was 6-foot-2 playing shortstop but I saw a hitter at the plate that was about 5-10 or 5-11. If you're bent over that much, the first thing that you have to do to hit is to stand up and be as tall as God made you." The double-play combo's hitting production has also transferred onto the field. In the first seven games since Tulowitzki's return, he's been involved in six double plays, which is third among National League shortstops behind the D-backs' Stephen Drew and the Nationals' Christian Guzman. During that same period, Barmes has been involved in five double plays, which is also third among NL second basemen behind the Diamondbacks' Felipe Lopez and the Padres' David Eckstein. Barmes said the communication between him and Tulowitzki has been very good and that there's never a miscommunication as far as who's covering second base on the double play. "I guess the more you play with somebody, the better you can gel," Barmes said. Tracy said Barmes and Tulowitzki reminded him of another double-play combination he had when he was managing the Dodgers, Alex Cora and 2004 Gold Glove winner, Cesar Izturis. "The more you see [Barmes and Tulowitzki] interact with one another from day-to-day, they pay money to see guys like that play the game the way those two play it in the middle of the field," Tracy said. Pitching matchupCOL: RHP Jason Hammel (3-3, 4.33 ERA)
Hammel's excellence on the road continued on Tuesday. After allowing runs in each of the first two innings, the righty stuck around long enough to get a win by lasting six innings in Milwaukee, with nothing more allowed in a tight victory. He has walked just eight batters -- one intentionally as his lone free pass issued Tuesday -- in his last seven starts. He has fallen short of five complete innings in three of his four outings at Coors Field, however. SEA: LHP Jason Vargas (2-1, 2.35 ERA)
The Mariners know what they'll get from Vargas on most occasions -- a decent enough effort, though unspectacular, that will keep them close. The right-hander needs to throw more first-pitch strikes and command his fastball inside with more efficiency, but he's been a nice find that's bolstered what's become a dependable rotation. The Mariners will closely watch how Vargas reacts to his first loss, a 3-1 setback in Baltimore on Tuesday. He didn't pitch that poorly, giving up three runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. And Vargas was honest when he told reporters that he wasn't happy with his performance, demonstrating that he understands where he needs to improve. Tidbits
Right-handed reliever Taylor Buchholz's bullpen session on Saturday did not go well. Tracy said Buchholz, who's been out all season with a strain in the ulnar collateral ligament on his pitching elbow, experienced discomfort in the same area on the third or fourth pitch he threw. Buchholz continued and threw 17 pitches before the session was stopped. "Obviously, any type of an immediate rehab assignment has been put on hold at this time," Tracy said. The next step will be for Buchholz, Rockies medical doctor Thomas Noonan and the team's medical staff to weigh Buchholz's options. One option could be Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. ... First baseman Jared Clark, catcher Dustin Garneau and second baseman Joseph Scott, the Cal State Fullerton Titans trio drafted by the Rockies, lost 10-6 to the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday in the College World Series. ... The Rockies 10-game winning streak is tied with the Padres for the second-longest this season. They can tie the Red Sox and the franchise record (Sept. 16-27, 2007) with a win on Sunday. Tickets
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• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa, 2-6, 5.08) vs. Rays (TBD), 6:40 p.m. MT
• Wednesday: Rockies (Aaron Cook, 5-3, 4.26) vs. Rays (David Price, 1-0, 2.37), 6:40 p.m. MT
Chen Sio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
