Jackson’s solo shot provides much-needed boost

There certainly has been enough emphasis on the negative when it comes to Cubs rookie center fielder Brett Jackson.

But Jackson put one into the positive side of the ledger Friday. His home run leading off the bottom of the eighth inning tied the Colorado Rockies at 3-3.

The Cubs scored a couple more runs, with the help of 2 Rockies errors, to come away with a 5-3 victory. Manager Dale Sveum said he was happy because Jackson hit the homer off veteran reliever Matt Belisle.

“We talk about coming up with the big hit and looking to do that, looking to be a game changer,” Jackson said. “When you get a lineup that has a bunch of guys that want to be game changers, then you’re looking at some big moments.”

Jackson was 1-for-3. He now has a hitting line of .172/.250/.345. Most of the emphasis has been on the 30 strikeouts in 58 at-bats.

“I think that’s certainly a big challenge of baseball, trying not to dwell on the negative,” he said. “Moving forward and staying positive, I think we all like to say we stay positive all the time. But everyone’s human and we all get down.

“Two days ago, when I struck out to end the game, you get down. But move on. You’ve got to turn the page, to coin a phrase. That’s something you constantly work on as an athlete. Some guys are better at it than others. That’s the life aspect of the game, and that’s what’s so great about baseball.”

The Cubs got solo homers from Alfonso Soriano and Welington Castillo in the fifth inning. Reliever James Russell picked up the win, improving to 6-1.

Welcome back:Former Cubs Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu returned to Wrigley Field for the first time since they were traded last winter to the Rockies for third baseman Ian Stewart. Colvin was 0-for-4 while LeMahieu singled his first three times up and flied out.A first-round draft pick of the Cubs in 2006, Colvin hit 20 homers in 2010, but fell to just 6 last year with a .150 batting average.#147;When you sign, you have these dreams of staying with the team that drafted you for your entire career,#148; Colvin said. #147;It#146;s just one of those things where I#146;m a Rockie now.#148;Colvin had his six-game hitting streak end. He has a line of .290/.329/.543 with 14 homers.He was asked if the change of scenery did him good.#147;Just to get some fresh ideas in your head and just be able to start with a clean slate,#148; he said. #147;Once I got traded, that#146;s the first thing they told me: Let#146;s get back to work and get back to the guy you want. That#146;s really helped out.#148;What changed?#147;Honestly, I just stopped trying to worry about the power,#148; he said. #147;Last year, I felt that was the way to keep me in the lineup all the time, and obviously, it was the reverse.#147;I know what my strengths and weaknesses are. I#146;ve just got to keep battling to make those weaknesses a little bit smaller and make sure my strengths are staying up. It#146;s getting those pitches to hit and trying not to do too much. That#146;s really the biggest thing, not overswinging. Once I stay within myself, the hits come.#148;