Jose

Hernandez

''It’s been a rough month for him to this point,’' manager Lloyd McClendon said. ''I’m sure he’s a little frustrated. He just has to grind it out. In all likelihood, he’ll probably be right back in there.’'

The Rockies are looking for someone cheap to compete with Juan Uribe for the starting job at shortstop. Chris Gomez is another possibility. Although the Rockies want Uribe to win the job and be their shortstop, they think handing him the position is a bad idea.

We weren’t very concerned about Hernandez’s slump before, but we are now. This is a risky move, one that could backfire. With his old swing, there was every reason to believe that Hernandez would have started to hit eventually. That may no longer be the case.

Hernandez’s ill-timed slump comes just as Juan Uribe, last season’s shortstop, is back and playing well. Ronnie Belliard is expected to return to second base this weekend, at which point Hernandez will have to start hitting or lose time to Uribe.

Hernandez hit two homers yesterday, but if the Dodgers are only going to use him against left-handers they’re better off doing it at second base. Jason Grabowski should handle left field against right-handers, with Paul LoDuca playing the position and David Ross catching against lefties.

Armando Benitez blew a save by giving up a solo blast to Jose Castillo in the ninth, thus starting the Giants’ woes for the day. In the 10th, Jack Wilson singled off Kline to start the inning, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Jason Bay lined out, the Giants decided to intentionally walk Joe Randa to get to Hernandez with two outs. The right-hander responded by singling to left to end the game.

Hernandez is 10-for-30 with two homers since June 29. He doesn’t have any job security at all, but he should play as long as he continues to hit.

The Phillies had a Hernandez-type player earlier this year, but Alex Gonzalez had to go and retire on them. Hernandez was hitting just .267/.328/.350 for the Pirates, but he was solid against lefties, as usual. Abraham Nunez has always been better -- well, less bad -- against righties, so the Phillies will probably set up a platoon at third base.

Hernandez won’t get into the game unless the Pirates need a pinch hitter to face a lefty late in a game.

Hernandez should be available this weekend if the Pirates need a pinch-hitter to face a lefty.