Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Harikkala Sent Down after Helping Rox
8/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Aug. 12, 2007
by Thomas Harding/MLB.com
Tim Harikkala wore the wide grin of a man who made his first Major League appearance since 2005 and knocked his first Major League hit and RBI -- in a pro pitching career that began in 1992 and has included 73 big-league games.
The smile wasn't even reduced by the fact that the Rockies, who called him up to start Sunday's 6-3 victory over the Cubs at Coors Field and got 3 1/3 workman-like innings out of him, designated him for assignment when the game was done.
The Rockies had to clear room in the hope that three-time All-Star left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes is ready, after not pitching in the Majors since July 3 because of a lat muscle strain.
The club technically has 10 days to decide what to do with Harikkala, but in all probability he'll clear waivers after 72 hours and report to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
"Obviously, I wanted to pitch six scoreless [innings] and get a win," said Harikkala, 36, who pitched the bulk of his games -- 55 -- with the Rockies in 2004. "But I'm not a dominating starter.
"I'm not the guy they need down the stretch in September -- in the starting rotation, at least. I hope I'll be able to help in September as a bullpen guy."
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said, "We had a nice talk after the game. Two and a half weeks ago, look at where he was and where he is now. We know him. He's got experience."
Calling up Harikkala, who had appeared in four games for Colorado Springs after returning from pitching for nearly two years in Korea, then sending him back down highlights the Rockies' need for a starter for their injury-depleted rotation. They don't have one for Saturday, the second of three games with the Dodgers.
They could call up left-handed prospect Franklin Morales, 21, who will make his third start for Colorado Springs on Monday night against Tacoma. Or they could continue to search for an experienced pitcher on a non-contending team.
But that's for later.
Sunday was for celebrating Harikkala's commendable work -- he gave up nine hits but just three runs -- and a standout job by relief pitchers Matt Herges (1-0), LaTroy Hawkins, Jorge Julio and Manny Corpas (nine saves). Corpas' one-out walk in the ninth marked the only time the bullpen dealt with a baserunner.
Herges, who entered with two on in the fourth and bailed the Rockies out by forcing Jacque Jones into a double-play grounder, said he sensed he would be needed.
"I was talking to my wife this morning, and she said, 'You're getting in today,'" Herges said. "I said, 'I know I am.' It was that obvious.
"He [Harikkala] went, in my opinion, beyond the call of duty for us. But I prepared today as if this was my start day. I didn't know I was getting the ball, but I felt I was going to be the first one out there."
Sunday's game might be remembered for including the first Major League hit, a pinch-hit double during the three-run Rockies fifth, for prospect Ian Stewart. But Harikkala has his batting milestone.
"It's something I didn't have before, so it's something to remember," he said. "Maybe I'll be an answer to a trivia question somewhere down the road when Stewart gets his 1,000th or 2,000th.
"Who else got his first Major League hit that day?"
