--3B Garrett Atkins, hitless in his first 12 at-bats this season, ended that drought with a two-run homer in the third and singled in the fourth while going 2-for-5 Friday. "No one wants to see their batting average up there with a bunch of zeroes," Atkins said. "I don't care if it's the first day of the season. Now it's just about going forward and just trying to have good quality at-bats. That's what I focused on today."

Atkins' homer gave the Rockies at least one home run in each of their first four games this season. It's the longest streak to start a season since 2004, when the Rockies hit home runs in six straight games to begin the season. Atkins' two-run homer was the Rockies' first with a man on base. The first seven were solo shots.

--SS Troy Tulowitzki walked in the second inning and hit a run-scoring triple in the third to stretch his streak of reaching base to six consecutive appearances. The streak ended when he flied out in the fifth.

--OF Ryan Spilborghs, who entered the game tied for the major league lead in doubles, doubled in the third and fourth innings, giving him at least one double in four straight games to begin the season and five overall.

--The Rockies purchased the contract of RHP Matt Belisle, 28, from Class AAA Colorado Springs and designated RHP Juan Morillo for assignment, meaning they have 10 days to trade, release or put him through waivers. If Morillo, 25, clears waivers, the Rockies can assign him to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Manager Clint Hurdle said Morillo, who can throw in the upper 90s and has had his fastball register above 100 mph but has lacked consistent command is "still a one-inning guy that you really don't what you're going to get."

The additions of Belisle and RH reliever Jason Hammel give the Rockies two more pitchers capable of working multiple innings, and Hammel was stretched out in spring training and could start. LHP Glendon Rusch can also make spot starts or pitch long relief.

Belisle was sidelined early in spring training because of right forearm strain but went 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA in eight Cactus League relief appearances. Morillo did not appear in any of the Rockies first three games after making the Opening Day roster for the first time in his career.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Taylor Buchholz (partial tear in right ulnar collateral ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He will miss at least the first month of the season. The Rockies are being very cautious with Buchholz, trying to make sure the partial tear doesn't become a full-blown one and require Tommy John surgery that would sideline Buchholz for about a year.

LHP Jeff Francis (left shoulder surgery in February 2009) went on the 60-day disabled list April 5. He likely will miss the entire season. Recovery time ranges from six to 12 months, meaning it's possible Francis could pitch in September but not very likely.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Aaron Cook

2. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez

3. RHP Jason Marquis

4. LHP Jorge De La Rosa

BULLPEN:

RHP Huston Street (closer)

RHP Manuel Corpas

RHP Jason Hammel

LHP Alan Embree

LHP Glendon Rusch

RHP Ryan Speier

RHP Jason Grilli

RHP Juan Morillo

LINEUP:

1. CF Ryan Spilborghs

2. SS Troy Tulowitzki

3. 1B Todd Helton

4. 3B Garrett Atkins

5. RF Brad Hawpe

6. C Chris Iannetta

7. LF Seth Smith

8. 2B Clint Barmes

RESERVES:

OF/INF Ian Stewart

INF/OF Jeff Baker

INF Omar Quintanilla

OF Dexter Fowler

C Yorvit Torrealba