Baseball with an Altitude

Brad Hawpe blasted the Rockies to a very nice victory tonight with two hits, including a 3 run homer, and 4 RBIs as the Rox defeated Derek Lowe and the Dodgers by a score of 5-1.  After a rough start that included three walks and two wild pitches in the first inning, Byung-Hyun Kim settled down and pitched exactly the type of game that the Rockies were hoping for when they resigned him this offseason. However, if it weren't for Hawpe's great defensive play in that nearly disastrous first inning, Kim's night could have been ruined very early.  Hawpe's assist of the very speedy Kenny Lofton (yes, he's still hanging around the big leagues) at home plate put the brakes on what could have been a huge first inning for the Dodgers.  If Hawpe doesn't make that play, the boys from Los Angeles could have dug the hometown Rockies a deep hole.

Also, kudos to Clint Hurdle for finally running out the lineup the way it should be - with Atkins hitting in the second spot.  He didn't have a very good night tonight, but he should thrive hitting second, as he even admits that he's a natural number two hitter, not a cleanup guy.  Plus, he's going to see some great pitches to hit batting ahead of Helton, especially if Todd starts heating up.  Furthermore, this move allows Hawpe to slide up a spot, thus getting him even better RBI opportunities hitting out of the 5th hole (which he took full advantage of tonight).

Hawpe has been phenomenal thus far this season.  He is now hitting .340 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs and has been the only consistent force in the Rockies lineup.  Helton hit the DL with the stomach ailment, Holliday started out of the gates slowly, and Atkins' average has dropped nearly 40 points since May 2nd (he also has a league leading 11 GIDPs), yet Hawpe has continued to pound out the base hits and big flies with consistency. I can only imagine what kind of numbers he'll wind up with at the end of the season, but I think something along the lines of .310 with 30 HR is a definite possibility.

Tomorrow on ESPN's Wednesday Afternoon Baseball, Jason Jennings faces Brad Penny in the rubber match of the series.  Penny has historically pitched well against the Rockies, but this 2006 team is unlike any in the history of the club, so let's hope the past trends don't hold true.  The Rox could use a little momentum heading into what looks to be a tough Toronto series starting on Friday, as the Blue Jays bring some big bats into Coors Field for what should be a very fun interleague showdown.