Slumping leadoff hitter Willy Taveras was benched by the Rockies for Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday night. Taveras was in a 3-for-25 slide since returning from the DL before the NL championship series. He went 0-for-7 at Fenway Park where the Red Sox won the first two games. Taveras appeared dejected but declined to talk about his demotion as he took the field for batting practice.