COLORADO: LHP Brian Fuentes was pulled from the closer's role after blowing four consecutive save opportunities this week, including walk-off homers in the last two games in Houston. Manager Clint Hurdle said he'll still use Fuentes out of the bullpen. "Just try to get him out of the spotlight, off the burner," Hurdle said. RHPs Manny Corpas, LaTroy Hawkins and Jorge Julio were the most likely relievers to take over Fuentes' role. Fuentes has given up eight earned runs in 2 1-3 innings of work this week. Of the 19 batters he's faced, 11 have gotten hits. But Hurdle said he still hasn't lost confidence in him. "I don't see where putting him in the extreme, intense innings right now is going to help him," Hurdle said. "We'll back him out of that and see if he can just get back into good form." ... Hurdle has liked what he's seen from RHP Taylor Buchholz, who was acquired in the Rockies-Astros trade last December. Since moving to the bullpen earlier in June, Buchholz has an 0.82 ERA in seven relief appearances. "He's done wonderfully out of the bullpen," Hurdle said. "It's been a nice match for us." ... Former Astro Willy Taveras was out of the starting lineup with a "physical issue" Hurdle wouldn't disclose. Hurdle said Taveras would be re-evaluated on Sunday and could be ready to play in the series finale.
