REDUCTIONS

6 pitchers were sent to the Rockies' minor league camp Sunday, leaving 56 players at spring training. Sent out were right-handers Juan Morillo, Alberto Arias and Greg Reynolds, and left-handers Eric DuBose, Franklin Morales and Josh Newman.

"They need to get down and get in a routine with the clubs they will be with," said manager Clint Hurdle, who could make a half-dozen additional roster moves today.

GAME DAY

Right fielder Seth Smith hit a three-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth in the Rockies' 5-4 victory against the Royals at Hi Corbett Field. . . . Right-handed pitchers Josh Fogg and Byung-Hyun Kim, battling for a rotation spot, allowed one run each in four innings. . . . Danny Graves got the win, although he allowed two runs in the ninth. "We can't lose sight of the fact he has missed time and we are trying to get him in a routine so we can evaluate him," Hurdle said of Graves, who was working only his second inning of spring training. . . . Bill Fischer, now a pitching consultant for the Royals and a former big-league pitching coach, was the scout who signed Hurdle as a first-round draft pick for the Royals in 1975.

HE'S BACK

Todd Helton, making his first appearance since getting two at-bats as a designated hitter against the White Sox on Tuesday, started at first base. Helton has been bothered by right knee inflammation and came out after two at-bats Sunday, which was the original game plan.

"That's the first step," Hurdle said. "Todd wanted to stay in a little longer, but the trainers felt five innings in the field was enough. He'll be back in there (today)."