Rockies’ Atkins finally wakes up
| August 5, 2009 | 8:42 AM
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Garrett Atkins was No. 4 on Tuesday’s list of key Rockies for the coming week. Others on the list were solid in the opening game of a three-game series against the Phillies — Brad Hawpe doubled; Jason Hammel won for the first time in more than a month and struck out Ryan Howard with the bases loaded; and Joe Beimel retired all four batters he faced, but given the five-run lead it was hardly a pressure situation. Most of the team, in fact, contributed to the Rockies’ 8-3 win, the first time in some time that the Rockies have dominated an opponent rather than just won a game. But despite the help from his friends, it was Atkins who won this game.
His two-run home run in the second inning — his first home run since June 24 — gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead and broke the ice in this huge series. His two-run double in the sixth inning put the Rockies up 6-2 and broke the Phillies. By the end of the inning, the Rockies were up 8-2 and the game was never in doubt after that. Atkins’ four RBI were a season high.
This was the Atkins of old, the hitter who drives the ball no matter what the count — the home run came on an 0-2 count and the double on an 0-1. The return of Atkins could have two huge benefits for the Rockies down the stretch:
- He can mix back into the lineup without being an offensive black hole.
- If his numbers bounce back by the end of the season, his trade value will increase dramatically.
Journals, Sports, Steve Foster
brad hawpe, colorado rockies, garrett atkins, jason hammel, joe beimel
