--For the second time in a week, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle did what he doesn't like to do -- alter the lineup. Todd Helton, moved from third to second in the lineup a week ago Saturday, was hitting fourth on Friday, a return to the spot he filled a year ago. Matt Holliday, who opened the season hitting fourth, remained in the No. 3 slot that he assumed a week ago. Omar Quintanilla started at second base Friday and hit second. Hurdle said a middle infielder most likely will hit second for awhile. He said he is trying to get a better glance in the lineup and hasn't forgotten that the Rockies had success last year with Holliday hitting third and Helton hitting fourth.
--INF Juan Castro agreed to terms with the Rockies and will join their Class AAA Colorado Springs affiliate for up to two weeks so he can get regular at-bats before being promoted to the big-league team. Castro was released by Cincinnati, and also had offers from the Dodgers, Orioles and Padres. With the loss of SS Troy Tulowitzki, the Rockies wanted an experienced utility infielder because Clint Barmes, Jeff Baker and Omar Quintanilla will be in the mix at second base and shortstop. The Rockies wanted Castro to get regular at-bats at Class AAA because he had played in only seven games with the Reds this season, going 0-for-10 with a walk. --LHP Jeff Francis, who worked 21 innings and gave up six runs his three previous starts for no decisions, is now 0-3. He worked five shutout innings but was charged with four runs in the sixth when all three runners he left on base scored.
--Rockies relievers are in a Coors Field funk. They have allowed 31 earned runs, 33 runs total, in 32 2/3 innings at Coors Field this season.
--Jeff Baker, scratched from the lineup on Tuesday because of a ruptured blood vessel in the middle finger of his right hand, was given the okay to play on Friday, and came into the game as a pinch-hitter for Omar Quintanilla in the seventh.
--CF Willy Taveras, who matched his career-best with three stolen bases on Wednesday, added two more stolen bases on Friday, giving him 13 for the season, which puts him in a tie with Michael Bourn of Houston for the major-league lead.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Runs allowed by LHP Mark Redman in the first inning April 26. Redman then allowed one hit and no runs in the next five innings. He is the first pitcher in more than 100 years to get out of a first inning in which he gave up 10 runs, much less pitch five additional scoreless innings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "After giving up 10 (runs) in the first inning, he needed to do something to help the ballclub. That's how I felt about it." -- Rockies manager Clint Hurdle when asked how he felt about the way LHP Mark Redman bounced back from giving up 10 first-inning runs Saturday to allow one hit and no runs the next five innings, saving the bullpen.
