Daniel Descalso did his best to show Rockies manager Walt Weiss that he can fill Troy Tulowitzki’s departed cleats, at least somewhat, in Tuesday’s win against the Chicago Cubs, the club’s first game since August 2006 without Troy Tulowitzki on payroll.
Descalso was 1-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI and made a leaping grab with two on and two out to rob a hit from Monday’s hero, Kris Bryant, and preserve a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning.
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Colorado went on to win the game 7-2, led by D.J. LeMahieu who went 3-4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored. In a spot start, Yohan Flande went five innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out four.
It was Colorado’s first game since the club traded their franchise shortstop, Tulowitzki, to the Toronto Blue Jays, along with reliever LaTroy Hawkins. In the deal, the Rockies received three pitching prospects and four-time All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes. Reyes, the 2011 NL batting champion, is expected to join the club on Wednesday.
Following the trade, speculation immediately surfaced that Colorado may look to move Reyes before Friday’s trade deadline, as the 32-year-old shortstop was a mostly dollar-for-dollar exchange for Tulowitzki (though Reyes’ contract is three years shorter). The Mets, initially thought to be a potential trade partner, told the New York Daily News that there is no interest in re-acquiring the shortstop. Nevertheless, Colorado may still try and unload Reyes, who is owed $66 million over the next three years.
Descalso has seen action in each of the Rockies last five games, going a combined 3-11 with four RBI and a home run. He is hitting .212 on the season in 118 at-bats in 64 games.
The Rockies and Cubs play the rubber match of their three game series Wednesday at Wrigley Field before Colorado departs for a four-game weekend set with the Cardinals in St. Louis. Eddie Butler (3-6) faces Jon Lester (5-8). First pitch is 12:20 p.m. MDT.