Weiss keeping Helton fresh by resting him in day games

WASHINGTON -- The Rockies are keeping first baseman Todd Helton out of the sunlight as often as possible.

Helton, hitting .252 with six home runs and 26 RBIs, seemed a good matchup against Nationals lefty Ross Detweiler (3-for-6, two doubles) on Sunday afternoon, but manager Walt Weiss went with right-handed-hitting Jordan Pacheco. Helton, 39, also didn't start Saturday afternoon's 7-1 victory over the Nationals.

"I talked to Todd a couple days ago about this series, and we decided I was going to give him two days in a row," Weiss said. "We try not to run Todd out there too many day games. That's been the plan with him from the get-go. He's played a day game here and there, but for the most part, I try to let him run out there at night."