Brad

Hawpe

Hawpe, 24, is hitting .293 with seven home runs and 20 RBI for the Sky Sox. He could use more time in the minors but the Rockies don’t want to lose more ground in the standings while only Jeromy Burnitz and Matt Holliday have given them solid play from the outfield. NL-only leaguers should grab Hawpe.

He’s hoping to be back around the first of September.

There was some optimism at the start of the week, but it now again appears that Hawpe won’t return during August.

He will continue to take batting practice and outfield drills today before attempting the bases again Wednesday. ''He was better than last time but he still feels it when he rounds the bases,’' trainer Keith Dugger said. ''But there was definite improvement.’' He’ll be lucky to be back by August 31.

Hawpe will be rehabbing at Triple-A Colorado Springs.

''Bradley ran better (Wednesday),’' Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. ''He’ll continue to swing the bat. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and, hopefully, we can get him out the beginning of next week. I think that would be a safe guess right now.’'

Hawpe still has an OPS around 900, but he’s been getting worse each month. In 20 games since the All-Star break, has just four RBI and five runs scored, meaning he’s making no contribution at all in fantasy leagues at the moment. With Coors Field just not playing as much of a hitter’s park, it’s possible that Hawpe won’t be worth using in mixed leagues the rest of the way.

Derek Lowe, a pitcher Hawpe has owned in his young career, was pulled with men on first and second and two outs in a tie game in the ninth. Hawpe proceeded to single in the go-ahead run off Takashi Saito. The Rockies then added an insurance run on a double steal with runners on the corners. After Hawpe took second, Matt Holliday was credited with a steal of home followed a botched rundown between the plate and third base. Hawpe now has two homers in three days after going 29 games without one.

He was due. Hawpe had been 6-for-34 with no RBI and a 13/0 K/BB ratio during June. The win today gave the Rockies’ their fourth four-game road sweep in franchise history. Their last one was against the Expos in 2000.

He also walked and stole a base. Hawpe’s homer was his first at Coors Field since May 16, a span of 40 games. He has seven RBI in his last two games.