Rox hope extra rest benefits Bettis on Saturday

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Rockies hope extra rest and a few mechanical adjustments will help right-hander Chad Bettis return to form. They've officially tabbed him to start Saturday's game against the Padres opposite right-hander Jhoulys Chacín, manager Bud Black said Wednesday.
"The couple bullpen sessions he's had have been good in regards to some simple mechanical adjustments [that] he's made to keep that fastball a little more direct to where he's intending to throw the ball," Black said. "I think four extra days of rest will be beneficial for him."
Saturday will be Bettis' first start since he allowed five runs in one-third of an inning Thursday vs. the D-backs. The outing -- uncharacteristically frustrating for Bettis -- ballooned his ERA to 6.23 from 4.98.
Black is confident Bettis will experience a resurgence Saturday. Bettis owns a 3.00 career ERA in seven starts against the Padres.
"We think [the rest] should help … I think we know what we're going to get from Chad," Black said. "We're going to get strikes. We're going to get the ball down [and] a good changeup to keep hitters off balance. That's our expectation. I think if he does those things, fundamentally speaking, he will pitch well."
Worth noting
• Charlie Blackmon, who reached the 200-hit milestone Tuesday, said he didn't know he had joined the exclusive club until teammate Gerardo Parra gave him a heads up.
"He said, 'Congratulations, Papi,'" Blackmon said. "I said, 'Why?' He goes, 'You just got 200 hits.' I was like, 'Really? Wow. That's pretty good.' That's what he said."
Blackmon said he's humbled to be in company with Colorado players like Todd Helton and Matt Holliday.
"It's good to get a lot of hits," Blackmon said. "For that reason, it means you've been able to play a lot baseball and be an effective player. Matt Holliday was certainly a good player. It's good to be in that conversation."

• Black went out of his way to praise Trevor Story's defense Wednesday, making the case for the shortstop as a viable Gold Glove Award candidate.
"He should get consideration for a Gold Glove," Black said. "I really think so. There's going to be a few guys ahead of him just because they've done it before. He should really get strong consideration."