TUCSON, Ariz. — Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe’s pinkie has healed, but his swing still has to get in game shape.
The Rockies right fielder stuck out twice in his first action in nearly two weeks during a 10-5 loss to Seattle on Saturday at Hi Corbett Field.
“I didn’t get the results I wanted to at the plate, but it felt good to be back in there,” Hawpe said. “My legs felt good, (and) may arm felt good.”
Hawpe needed four stitches on his left (throwing) pinkie after being accidentally cleated while running back to the second base bag on Feb. 27 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Colorado’s power hitter has been throwing for about a week, but didn’t start hitting until two days ago.
Hawpe struck out swinging both times against Seattle pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith.
“There is a major league pitcher on the mound. You have to get yourself back into the rhythm and getting the zone at the plate,” Hawpe said. “The timing was not quite there. I will have to get back in there and keep battling and get the timing back and keep working on the swing.”
Hawpe, who hit .283 with 25 homers and 85 RBI during the 2008 season, is being relied on to bring even more power to the lineup with outfielder Matt Holliday trade in November to Oakland. Hawpe was 3 for 4 before being injured.
While the Rockies starter didn’t get a hit against Rowland-Smith, the Mariner pitcher had two singles. Rowland-Smith is battling for a spot in the rotation, but he might want to try some designated hitter duty as well.
His hits came despite not a plate appearance since he was 17 years old. The left-hander made up for the nine-year absence by also scoring two runs.
“I took some batting practice in one of the backfields and it was terrible. They were telling me not to try to hit the ball too hard in batting practice,” Rowland-Smith said. “I just swung and missed every time.”
Rowland-Smith had better results in the game with singles in the second and fourth innings.
“I can’t believe I am sitting here talking about hitting. I don’t want to sound like I know what I am talking about, but I did see the changeup (on the first pitch) so I knew he was going to throw me a fastball. I tried to swing and hit it as hard as I could,” Rowland-Smith said about the second hit. “It was fun.”
Rowland-Smith did the job on the mound as well, giving up two runs in four innings. He allowed five hits, struck out three and walked nobody.
The left-hander, 3-2 with a 3.5 ERA in 12 starts a year ago, had one of his better outings of the spring, with the two hardest hit balls being doubles from Matt Murton and Sal Fasano in the fourth inning.
“Everything is starting to come around. My fastball was a little bit crisper, and the change-up was really good. The breaking ball, slider and curve are still taking a little bit of time to come around,” Rowland-Smith said. “Early in camp it seemed like I was bouncing everything and now everything is kind of spinning.”
Colorado starter Jason Marquis had his problems, allowing five runs and nine hits through 3 2/3 innings.
Seattle’s Ronny Cedeno went 2 for 4, with a double and a two-run homer off Marquis. Matt Tuiasosopo was 4 for 5 with a two-run homer, a double and 4 RBI.
Mariners first baseman Chris Shelton continues his hot hitting, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored. He is batting .523 so far this spring with 11 hits in 21 at bats.
Colorado’s Dexter Fowler had three of the Rockies nine hits, going 3 for 4 with a walk.
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NOTES: Mariner pitchers Brandon Morrow and Erik Bedard throw bullpen sessions on Saturday instead of being with the club against Colorado. Bedard, who missed his last start with muscle pain in his right gluteus maximus muscle, threw 30 pitches without feeling any discomfort. Morrow, bothered by a right forearm pain, threw from in front of the rubber without additional problems. He has missed his last two starts. … Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins continues to be day-to-day with a right hip flexor.
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