Hawkins, Herges set up Rockies

DENVER -- LaTroy Hawkins was searching for the perfect fit last winter, while Matt Herges was looking for any fit at all.

They were two journeyman relievers, both foraging for new teams -- hoping someone would take a chance on their right arms. The Rockies took them in, and are awfully glad they did.

Now, they've helped take Colorado to its first World Series appearance. Herges and Hawkins, the former Cub, have provided a fantastic front end to a brilliant bullpen, combining for 6¿ scoreless innings in the Rockies' unblemished postseason run.

Eight months ago, Herges thought his baseball career might be over. No one was calling with offers, and he was making plans for another line of work, possibly even in the broadcasting field.

Herges has pitched in four of the Rockies' seven playoff games, giving up just 1 hit in 3¿ innings. He earned the win in the clincher over Arizona in the NL championship series.

Not bad for someone who had to beg the Rockies for an invitation to spring training. He's still puzzled over why no team wanted to give him a shot. He was coming off a 2006 campaign with Florida in which he was 2-3 with a 4.31 ERA.

"I had an OK year, not great by any means, but not horrible," Herges said. "I think that should be enough to get a job with somebody and it wasn't."

Herges was especially stumped why a guy like Hawkins was there with him.

"He's been a premier setup guy his whole career. I'm trying to eke by," Herges said. "He's on the next level in terms of talent. When he was a free agent, there were 15 to 20 teams calling him. When I was a free agent, no one was calling me."

Hawkins was coming off a 4.48 ERA in Baltimore, his fourth stop in three seasons.

He diligently did his homework before signing with Colorado last December. He wanted to be on an up-and-coming team that played outstanding defense.

He succeeded on both counts.

In Colorado he pitched in front of a defense like no other he had ever seen -- nobody had, in fact. The Rockies had the highest fielding percentage in major-league history this season.

"A lot of people were like, 'You don't want to sign there. You sure you want to pitch in that thin air and that altitude?' " Hawkins said. "I told them if I go out there and just be LaTroy Hawkins, it won't be a problem. I'm always up for a challenge."

So far in the playoffs, Hawkins has been terrific, throwing 3 scoreless innings.

"Me and Matt -- we're alike," said Hawkins, who has 75 career saves, including 28 in 2001 with Minnesota. "We've been given a second chance."

Herges closed out the regular season with 9 scoreless innings, spanning five games, cementing his role as the Rockies' top middle reliever.

"Every year I've had to prove myself so I didn't get released," he said. "That's all I know -- when I get an opportunity I try to impress."

Pitching coach Bob Apodaca was more impressed with Herges' mental makeup than his physical attributes. Any player who can handle being sent back down to the minors at 37 to prove his worth and responds like Herges did is all right in Apodaca's book.

"He was down to the wire as far as making the club," Apodaca said. "There was never any frustration. There was never any panic. He impressed us. He showed character -- willing to go down to come back up. He knew it was succeed or go home again. He was under the gun. He impressed us. He's been a delight."