NewsTrip home promises more time for Atkins
Colorado (36-33) at Los Angeles (36-31), 8:05 p.m. MT
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com
06/21/09 7:00 PM ET
DENVER -- A trip home could be good for the Rockies' Garrett Atkins. |
The Rockies open a three-game road set with the Angels on Monday in Anaheim. Atkins was born in nearby Orange, Calif., and went to UCLA.
But it's more than playing near home that makes the trip a potentially comforting one for Atkins. It's the chance at regular playing time. For the three games with the Angels and a three-game weekend set against the Athletics -- two series in American League parks -- Atkins will have opportunities to serve as the Rockies' designated hitter. Ian Stewart, who leads the team with 13 home runs, has taken the third-base job. Atkins has put in some good at-bats in June, during which he is hitting .257. That's nowhere near the .298 career average he brought into the season, but he believes he could be on an upswing. "I hope I get back to used to playing again in the American League parks," Atkins said. "I'm looking forward to having a consistent swing and a consistent approach for a full game or a full week and seeing where it goes from there." In a start at first base Sunday against the Pirates, with Todd Helton having the day off, Atkins struck out with the bases loaded to end the first but drove in Troy Tulowitzki from second on a third-inning single off Paul Maholm. "It's better today than it was a few weeks ago," Atkins said. "It's hard to tell if you're making strides in the [batting cage]. All you can see is how the ball is coming off the bat. I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing." Pitching matchupCOL: RHP Aaron Cook (6-3, 4.23 ERA)
Cook went seven innings in his last start and won to tie Jason Jennings for the franchise lead in wins with 58. In the 5-3 victory over the Rays, Cook aggressively stayed in the zone against hitters who were hoping his sinker would dip low for balls, and he used the sinker effectively for grounders. He gave up consecutive homers for Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria on breaking balls, but didn't let anything hurt him for the rest of his time on the mound. Cook won his only career start at Angel Stadium. LAA: RHP Matt Palmer (6-0, 4.13 ERA)
Matched against Tim Lincecum, his teammate at Fresno in 2007, Palmer had a solid effort on Wednesday in San Francisco. Lasting 6 1/3 innings, he yielded three earned runs on six hits, walking two -- one intentional -- while striking out five hitters. Palmer maintained his unbeaten record when the Angels rallied in the eighth inning to take the lead against Lincecum. Palmer has excelled at Angel Stadium, going 4-0 in six appearances, five as a starter, with a 3.41 ERA. He lost to the Rockies last year while with the Giants, giving up four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. Tidbits
This series is a matchup of two of the best teams in Interleague Play this season. The Rockies are 7-2 and the Angels are 9-3. ... Atkins' RBI single was his first run driven in since he had two home runs and three RBIs at Houston on June 4. ... Triple-A Colorado Springs outfielder Matt Murton set a team record Sunday by extending his hit streak to 29 games. Murton passed Trinidad Hubbard, now an instructor in the Rockies' system, who had a 28-game streak in 1995. ... Seth Smith is 10-for-22 (.455) as a pinch-hitter.
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• Tuesday: Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez, 6-6, 3.73) at Angels (Ervin Santana, 1-3, 7.47), 8:05 p.m. MT
• Wednesday: Rockies (Jason Marquis, 9-4, 3.71) at Angels (Joe Saunders, 7-4, 3.80), 8:05 p.m. MT
• Thursday: Off-day
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
