Tulowitzki begins rehab for Sky Sox

Former National League All-Star Troy Tulowitzki had a single in two trips to the plate in his first game in over a month as Triple-A Colorado Springs lost to Sacramento, 8-1, on Wednesday.

Tulowitzki suffered a fractured left wrist June 17 when he was struck by Twins' reliever Alex Burnett's pitch in the eighth inning of the Rockies' 5-1 victory.

Tulowitzki was named to his first All-Star Game this season after batting .302 with nine homers and 34 RBIs, but was replaced due to the injury. The 25-year-old was the Rockies' first-round pick in 2005.

It was the California native's first appearance in the Pacific Coast League since the 2008 season, when he was 3-for-7 in two games for the Sky Sox. The 2007 Rookie of the Year runnerup took part in three double plays in his five innings Wednesday.

He singled on the first pitch he saw from River Cats' starter Tyson Ross. He was denied a second hit on a diving stop by second baseman Eric Sogard, who turned the ground ball into a double play.

"I felt good out there," Tulowitzki told the Colorado Springs Gazette. "I felt like my two at-bats were good at-bats and I played good defense."

Chris Frey drove in the lone run for the Sky Sox with a single in the eighth. Chris Nelson scored a run and former Major Leaguer Jay Payton doubled.

Tulowitzki's performance was overshadowed by the Sacramento offense, which strung together 12 hits. Chris Carter slugged a two-run homer, his fourth blast in the past three games. Steven Tolleson also smacked a two-run shot, while Eric Sogard doubled in a pair of runs.