CarGo, Tulowitzki swap spots in Rockies' lineup

PHOENIX -- Because Carlos Gonzalez was in an extended slump, Rockies manager Walt Weiss flipped the left fielder with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the lineup for Monday night's opener of a three-game series against the D-backs at Chase Field.

Tulowitzki batted third and Gonzalez batted fourth for the first time this season. The move worked wonders when the lefty-swinging Gonzalez doubled home Tulowitzki against Arizona left-hander Wade Miley in the first inning of the Rockies' 8-5 victory.

Gonzalez finished 1-for-5. He's 2-for-19 (.105) on this road trip and 8-for-59 (.136) with no homers and three RBIs in his last 15 games.

"I've done that from time to time, especially against a left-hander," Weiss said. "There's times I'll flip-flop those guys. Maybe it takes a little of the weight off CarGo's shoulders. Hitting in that three spot, there's some pressure that comes with that. He's still in the middle of the lineup, so it's not really a big deal. So, it's just one of those nights I decided to do it."

Coming into the game, Gonzalez hadn't hit a homer since April 11 at San Francisco and produced a multi-hit game since April 9 at home against the White Sox. For the season, he is hitting .232 with four homers and 16 RBIs.