After 0-for-8 hiccup, Carlos Gonzalez gets a day of rest as Rockies hold him out of lineup

Rockies slugger CarGo gets a rest

DENVER — Carlos Gonzalez is out of the Colorado Rockies’ lineup for Saturday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Manager Jim Tracy said Gonzalez’s consecutive 0-for-4 performances showed his slugger needed a break after a career-best 16-game hitting streak. The speedy outfielder emerged as a Triple Crown candidate while leading the Rockies back into the thick of the NL West race.

Tracy said Gonzalez “bruised his (right) hand up a little bit” taking an awkward swing Thursday night, but he held him out mostly just to give him a breather.

Gonzalez is hitting .335 with 32 homers and 100 RBIs. He was available for to pinch hit.