Troy Tulowitzki 2Rockies manager Walt Weiss flipped Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez in the batting order, batting them third and fourth, respectively, on Monday night in an 8-5 bashing of the D-backs at Chase Field.

The move worked its magic for Tulowitzki, at least, who was on base five times with two doubles, a homer, a pair of walks and three RBIs.

Weiss explained before the game that he wanted to take some pressure off Gonzalez by dropping him back a notch in the batting order. It had the desired effect in the first inning when the left fielder combined with Tulowitzki for back-to-back doubles, Gonzalez being thrown out at third trying to stretch after knocking in only his third run since April 12.

But on the evening, Gonzalez went 1-for-5 and remained in a miserable slump. He’s 2-for-19 during the first four games of this six-game trip and 8-for-59 (.136) with no homers and three RBIs in his last 15 games. He also hasn’t homered since April 11.

Gonzalez said the hand he injured last year is just fine. He acknowledged, though, that he has been suffering some tendinitis in his left knee.

The remainder of the lineup certainly didn’t struggle against Miley and the last-place D-backs, whose record dropped to 8-21 for a .276 winning percentage, both marks the worst in the Major Leagues. They are 2-14 at home, including their two-game Opening Series against the Dodgers in Australia.

Tulowitzki’s average shot up to .366 with his prodigious offensive evening, which included his sixth homer of the season. Justin Morneau smashed a two-run shot, also his sixth. Add their five doubles and the Rockies socked seven extra-base hits among the 10 hits they accrued against Miley, who also surrendered seven runs in six innings and was tagged with his first loss against the Rockies. He went into the game 7-0 with a 2.52 ERA vs. Colorado.

The Rockies finished with six doubles in all and 12 hits against four D-backs pitchers.

 

Source: MLB