Brad Hawpe insists he's not replacing Todd Helton as the Rockies' first baseman. But he'll stand in for him for the good of the team that entered Friday two games out of first in the National League West and leading the Wild Card race. Manager Jim Tracy said Hawpe, the regular right fielder, will make his first Major League start at first on Saturday night against the Reds. With Helton out indefinitely with back stiffness, Tracy has gone back to a plan he devised in Spring Training. The Rockies have left-handed-hitting Jason Giambi, but don't want to wear him out by playing him daily against right-handed pitching. That's where Hawpe's lefty bat is important. Playing Hawpe at first also means Tracy can use left-handed-hitting outfielder Seth Smith and Hawpe at the same time. They'll need the high-quality left-handed hitting Saturday against Reds standout Edinson Volquez, who has been out of the Majors since last June 1 because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. It's a solid plan to cover for Helton if his absence is long term. So Hawpe is borrowing Helton's well-worn first baseman's mitt and not looking too far into the future http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/new..._id=12287422&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col
