June 24, 2008 4:44 PM

De La Rosa back in KC; 6-24

LHP Jorge De La Rosa, dealt by the Royals to the Rockies earlier in the season, returns to Kauffman Stadium tonight. De La Rosa is coming off two strong efforts that earned him a place back in the rotation. In 11 innings, he allowed three runss, walking only two and striking out 18. In his first five starts with the Rockies, after which he was briefly moved to the bullpen, De La Rosa walked 11 batters and gave up 20 runs in 17 innings.

``His confidence is obvious, and the teams confidence in him is obvious,'' said manager Clint Hurdle. ``Hopefully he won't get too amped up against his old team.''

RYAN SPILBORGHS replaced Willy Taveras in center field and hitting leadoff tonight. Manager Clint Hurdle said he wanted to get Spilborghs some at-bats, but more than that, ``Willy has been out there 10 straight and he has been playing hard, running. He has to be tafigure. ... This will give him two off days out of three.'' The Rockies complete their series in Kansas City on Wednesday and then are scheduled off Thursday before opening a weekend series at Detroit.

A COUPLE Rockies players played a trick on manager Clint Hurdle and bench coach Jamie Quirk during batting practice, using tape to put up the No. 13 and No. 9 below the three numbers the Royals have retired, which are posted on the base of the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium. The joke was on the Rockies players. Hurdle wears No. 13 now, but when he came up with the Royals he wore No. 10. That number is retired -- in honor of the late Dick Hower, a former Royals manager. ``When he came over,'' Hurdle said of Howser, ``(The clubhouse manager) told me Dick was very fond of No. 10. I was traded that winter.''

THE LINEUPS
ROCKIES
CF Ryan Spilborhgs (rh)
DH Jeff Baker (rh)
LF Matt Holliday (rh)
1B Todd Helton (lh)
3B Garrett Atkins (rh)
RF Brad Hawpe (lh)
C Yorvit Torrealba (rh)
SS Troy Tulowitzki (rh)
2B Clint Barmes (rh)

Starting Pitcher: LHP Jorge De La Rosa

ROYALS
CF David DeJesus (lh)
2B Mike Aviles (rh)
3B Alex Gordon (lh)
LF Jose Guillen (rh)
DH Miguel Olivo (rh)
RF Mark Teahen (lh)
C John Buck (rh)
1B Ross Gload (lh)
SS Tony Pena (rh)

Starting pitcher: RHP Zack Greinke

Posted by Tracy Ringolsby at 4:44 PM | Comments (0)