OPINION: Rockies' Tulowitzki has hurdles to overcome

DENVER - Troy Tulowitzki walked into the Colorado Rockies clubhouse Monday and found out his team didn't need him against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Then along came a few Jeff Baker mishaps, and the Rockies actually did need Tulowitzki.

More on Baker later.

As the day started, Tulowitzki, the Rockies' second-year wunderkind of a shortstop was given an unwanted and unexpected day off.

Whether or not it was needed remains to be seen.

But fact remains, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle thought Tulowitzki needed time off.

If many of us arrive at the office only to see we're not needed that day, we're like kids on a 4-hour sugar high at Six Flags.

Tulowitzki was nowhere close to being a giddy adolescent Tuesday.

"I was surprised," Tulowitzki said before the Rockies' 8-6 defeat to the Phillies. "I wasn't told before or anything. If he's using this as a wake-up call or whatever - I've already had my own attention - but it's definitely gotten my attention. Obviously I know I need to play better."

That's a big understatement. In 10 of the Rockies' 20 games Tulowitzki is 0-for-40. That's a statistic made worse considering he didn't play in two of those games. And in four of the remaining games, Tulowitzki is 4-for-17. So, in 14 of his 18 games played, Tulowitzki is 4-for-57.

For those keeping the math, that's a .070 batting average. As it stands, Tulowitzki is batting .162.

"Sitting him down is not the worst thing that's ever going to happen to him," Hurdle said. "The balance you have as a manager is you try and find ways to get individuals jump-started ..."

Hurdle's method of jump-starting isn't archaic. But not telling one of your best players that he's benched is on the cruel side of things.

"I didn't let him know," Hurdle said. "We just put the lineup up today. Sometimes that's the best way. Sometimes there are different ways to approach things. Sometimes you just put it up and maybe that'll have a different impact."

Hurdle went on to talk about the Rockies needing more out of their offense. And he's right.

There have been numerous times this season that the Rockies have had a one-run inning when they should've had a two- or three-run inning.

The Rockies are the defending National League champions. As an organization they have - at a snail's pace - turned the corner. They no longer have the advantage of waiting a month for somebody to get out of a slump.

Look no further than Rockies second baseman Jayson Nix for proof. Nix was the opening day starter. He has started 10 games but only one of the past six. Nix hasn't hit in his past 12 at-bats. He hasn't hit a lefty this season, and is batting .167 against righties.

Three or four years ago, the Rockies would've let Nix stay at second and struggle through the batting.

The Rockies take out struggling players mid-game today. And that brings us back to Baker.

Baker, starting at second base Tuesday, forgot to touch second base on what would've been a routine double play. Later he threw a ball about 2 feet over a jumping Todd Helton for an error.

Hurdle had seen enough. Tulowitzki's lesson was over.

Baker's out, Tulowitzki's in, Clint Barmes moves from short to second.

Mediocre offense won't help a lot in a close game. But bad defense will kill chances at victory.