My friends gush about how great the Denver area is. Looking at the city on television, I just didn’t see what was so appealing.

I was here 12 years ago, but I stayed around downtown for two days while covering an exhibition game between the Rockies and Royals for the K.C. Star. This weekend, I had time to look around.

I hopped in the rental car this morning and headed west on I-70, then west on Hwy 58, through Golden, Colorado, and into the mountains. As I passed something called Mayhem Creek, I started to get it.

It is a beautiful place. I was listening to the Yankees-Mets game on satellite radio but switched it off to enjoy the tranquility and the surroundings. Cars were pulled over, people were hiking and fishing. It was pretty neat.

I got out of my vehicle to read a sign by the road that explained rules and regulations. Got to the bottom and found a section that began, `Mountain Lions and Bears do live in this area,’ followed by tips in case there’s an encounter. I was particularly drawn to the tip that read, `If attacked, fight back. Use rocks, sticks and even your bare hands!”

O.K. it was time got get back in the car and head back to the city.

Carlos Gomez is not in the starting lineup because of a sore right wrist he suffered while making the big catch to end Friday’s game. He said he thought he could pinch run tonight but wasn’t sure if he could play tomorrow.

Howie Clark is here. The 34-year old Clark has been called up to the majors six times since spending 2001 in Mexico and an Independent League.

Matt Holliday is back in the Rockies lineup.

Twins (21-20): 1. Brendan Harris, 2B. 2. Mike Lamb, 3B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Michael Cuddyer, RF. 6. Craig Monroe, CF. 7. Delmon Young, LF. 8. Adam Everett, SS. 9. Livan Hernandez, P.

Rockies (15-27): 1. Willy Taveras, CF. 2. Clint Barmes, SS. 3. Matt Holliday, LF. 4. Todd Helton, 1B. 5. Garrett Atkins, 3B. 6. Brad Hawpe RF. 7. Jeff Baker, 2B. 8. Yorvit Torreala, C. 9. Greg Reynolds, P

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.