Box score

TUCSON — Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim are the incumbents in the battle for the final two spots in the Rockies rotation. But it doesn’t give them an advantage in their bids to retain the spots in 2007.

A week into the exhibition season, it’s starting to look like it could come down to an either/or situation with the two veteran right-handers.

Jason Hirsh, part of the package from Houston in the Jason Jennings trade, has taken a step to separate himself from the seven-pitcher pack for the two open spots.

Kim and Fogg had rough moments in the Rockies’ 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Hi Corbett Field on Wednesday afternoon. Even though they were experimenting with some things, their outings added urgency to their upcoming appearances to try to shape the Rockies’ decision-making.

"I can’t tell you about who has edges," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We just have to let guys pitch and figure things out. It is nice to see quick and efficient innings."

So far, Hirsh has lived up to his advance billing. The Double-A Texas League pitcher of the year in 2005 and Triple-A Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year in 2006 worked through a jam in two shutout innings of an intrasquad game Friday and followed that by facing the minimum nine batters Tuesday in three shutout innings against the Chicago White Sox.

"I have felt more at ease than I anticipated," Hirsh said of his adjustment to his new teammates.

Fogg and Kim, meanwhile, are finding themselves battling the same concerns that dogged them last season — the inability to consistently throw strikes.

"We have time to let things play out," general manager Dan O’Dowd said. "We have to let them throw through some things they are working on. Kim was throwing a lot of two-seam fastballs (Wednesday), and Josh is working on a cut fastball and change-up."

The work wasn’t easy. Kim, who gave up a run on three hits and a walk in two innings of his spring debut against the Angels on Saturday, was the victim of a four-run sixth inning against the Brewers on Wednesday. He failed to get through his scheduled three innings, giving way to left-hander Brian DuBose to get the final out.

"He has to throw more strikes," Hurdle said of Kim. "Sixty-three pitches is a lot in two-plus innings. He has to tighten up."

Fogg, meanwhile, came back from two shutout innings in relief of Kim on Saturday to get the start against the Brewers and give up three runs in three innings.

"He has to keep the ball down in the zone more," Hurdle said.

Fogg did not walk any batters, but he gave up six hits, including four doubles. The left-handed hitters in the Brewers lineup were 4-for-9 with a walk.

"That’s the story of my career — when I get beat, I get beat up (in the strike zone)," Fogg said. "It’s a long spring training, and it is good to get those out of the way early rather than late."

There are deadlines that can push a decision.

The first is March 15. While Kim’s $2.5 million salary is guaranteed, Fogg’s $3.625 million deal isn’t. If Fogg were to be released by March 15, the Rockies would be obligated for one-sixth of his salary ($604,000); the cost to release him later this spring would rise to one-fourth ($906,000).

Kim’s inconsistency, though, makes it difficult for the Rockies to react too quickly with Fogg: The two of them seem to be the most viable candidates for a spot in the rotation behind Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis and Rodrigo Lopez, and, based on how things have gone so far, Hirsh.

The other rotation candidates are Brian Lawrence, Taylor Buchholz, Ubaldo Jimenez and Oscar Rivera. Buchholz most likely will slip into a bullpen role. Jimenez and Rivera show promise but could benefit from at least starting the season at Triple-A.

Lawrence missed last season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn right labrum and won’t be rushed, though he will get an opportunity this spring training to show he is ready to return to the big leagues.

"I will tell you, we are going to leave camp with the best staff we have," Hurdle said.