| Sunday's game at Coors Field had several great | | | | However, it is clear that Tulowitzki has realized |
| moments for the Rockies. However, the day | | | | that he needs to carry this team on his shoulders. |
| belonged to shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. | | | | Many experts said that the only way that the |
| The Colorado Rockies on Sunday became the last | | | | Rockies could compete in the National League |
| team in the Major Leagues to win a one run | | | | West after losing Matt Holliday would be by having |
| game this season. Entering Sunday, they were | | | | Tulowitzki and Helton step up and have great |
| 0-8 in games decided by a lone run. | | | | seasons at the plate. |
| Aaron Cook continued his renaissance, pitching six | | | | That statement has been proven true so far this |
| innings and giving up only one earned run. After a | | | | season, as Tulowitzki has sat close to the |
| horrible start, Cook has now thrown three | | | | dreaded Mendoza line through the first six weeks. |
| consecutive solid outings, earning two wins and a | | | | Several times it has seemed that Tulo has been |
| no decision throughout the run. His earned run | | | | poised for a breakout. He has had a few big hits |
| average now sits at 5.03. | | | | that pointed to the Tulowitzki of his rookie |
| Todd Helton, acting like a 25 year old all over | | | | season, where he would routinely line pitches back |
| again, swatted a first inning triple that was only a | | | | up the middle, or drive a pitch to right-center for |
| triple because it did not have the height to clear | | | | a double. |
| the wall in right field. Later he added an RBI double | | | | Those good at-bats, however, simply would not |
| that proved to be the game winner. | | | | translate into the next at-bat. In fact, it almost |
| The story of the game, however, is Tulowitzki. | | | | seemed as if it was one step forward and then |
| Tulo has been nothing short of miserable at the | | | | two steps back for the shortstop. The next time |
| plate this season. | | | | he stepped to the plate, Tulowitzki looked as if he |
| Nothing has been mechanically wrong with his | | | | felt that he would need to prove that he could |
| swing, although he has tinkered with it a bit. The | | | | get a big hit again. |
| glaring issue with Tulowitzki at the plate has been | | | | Today was different however, as Tulowitzki |
| between his own ears. Just like the beginning of | | | | showed confidence at the plate. He ripped a first |
| the 2008 season, Tulowitzki was squeezing the | | | | inning home run into the bullpen in right center |
| bat so tightly and trying so hard to win the game | | | | field, then later had another solid hit. |
| with one swing of the bat, that all he could | | | | After a good weekend at the plate, Tulowitzki's |
| accomplish was hitting slow ground balls to the | | | | average now stands at .237, which would seem |
| shortstop. | | | | to be disappointing, but after starting the season |
| Tulowitzki is a competitor. In fact, until 2008, Tulo | | | | so poorly, it looks like .350. |
| had never been on a losing team in his life. He | | | | If the Rockies, who now stand at 12-18, want to |
| was one of the main catalysts for the Rockies | | | | start the slow crawl back into the race in the |
| run to the National League pennant in 2007. His | | | | National League West, Tulowitzki has to continue |
| defense alone puts him in the category of many | | | | his climb back to respectability. |
| of the great shortstops in the game. | | | | |