Rockies Try Jason Hirsch -- Alias 'Colorado Lode'

Because those big bad National League batters have been kicking around poor Kip Wells so much -- with his 1-2 record and 5.14 ERA -- the Rockies speculatively are about to call up Triple A prospect Jason Hirsch, who has a 2-3 record with a 5.37 ERA against teams with names like Modesto Nuts.

Won't those bullies be sorry now?

Wells sealed his fate last week when he gave up eight runs in a third of an inning against the Dodgers. He is 59-91 with a 4.77 ERA lifetime as a starter, but after struggling all year with injuries and other setbacks has been demoted to the bench as a desperation mop-up candidate.

Toot! Toot! Next stop: Colorado Springs.

The 6-foot-8, 250-pound Hirsch -- alias 'The Colorado Lode' -- was sensational pitching in the Astros system before being acquired in the Jason Jennings trade.

Hirsch still has potential but has done little since. If the Rockies think Hirsch can skate by in a one-game, test shot against the Pirates this week, a surprise may be in store. Even without Xavier Nady -- off to join the Yankees -- the Pirates can hardly be considered pushovers.

The Rockies have a 25-year-old youngster named Steven Register also waiting at Colorado Springs, but he apparently hasn't registered. Register has shown enormous improvement recently with a 5-1 record and 2.78 ERA, but looks to be cultivated as an end-game reliever.