2008 Rockies Game Thread

[Old Sweater]

Monday April 21st at 6:35 MT___TV FSN,CSN___Radio KOA 850 am



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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______ROCKIES (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF) vs PHILLIES (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/phi/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wk0bYF)_______htt p://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phi.gif







http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/markredman.jpg Mark Redman 2-1 4.60era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7900) vs Kyle Kendrick 1-2 4.40era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8053) http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phillieskylekendrick.jpg



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Mark Redman (2-1, 4.60 ERA) takes the ball for the Rockies Monday looking to win his third straight start.

After allowing five runs over 5 2-3 innings in an 8-1 loss to Arizona on April 4, Redman has yielded five total runs and 10 hits in 10 innings to win his last two starts. The left-hander gave up two runs and three hits in five innings of a 10-2 win over San Diego on Wednesday.

Redman is 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA in seven games - six starts - lifetime versus Philadelphia.



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phillieskylekendrick.jpg




The Phillies counter with Kyle Kendrick (1-2, 4.40).

Kendrick gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings on Wednesday against Houston, but took a tough-luck 2-1 loss. The 23-year-old right-hander’s performance was much better than his previous outing, when he gave up seven runs - one earned - and a career-high six walks in 2 1-3 innings of an 8-2 loss to the Mets on April 9.

Kendrick made two regular-season starts against Colorado last season as a rookie, going 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA. He also started Game 2 in the NLDS, and was knocked around for five runs and five hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 10-5 loss.



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)


After losing the first two games of the road trip at Arizona, the Rockies won five of the next six to complete the three-city journey with a 5-4 mark. ... Houston 2B Kaz Matsui, a former member of the Rockies, made a diving stop of a hard-hit grounder by Brad Hawpe in the eighth inning Sunday to prevent Hawpe from going 4-for-4. ... The Rockies, who collected 11 hits Sunday, have at least nine hits in each of their last five games. ... OF Brad Hawpe, who went 5-for-9 in the last two games, raised his average from .188 to. 246. ... 3B Garrett Atkins drove in four runs in the three games at Houston



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/philliescharliemanuel.jpg Charlie Manuel (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=43)

The two home runs that 2B Chase Utley hit in the Phillies' 5-4 win over the New York Mets on Sunday was his 15th career multi-homer game and second this season. Utley now leads the National League with eight home runs. ... Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel can recognize when Utley's in a hitting groove. "Utley has a pretty swing and a quick bat," Manuel said. "When he's in a groove and he's getting the ball up in the air, he hits the ball very hard." ... 3B Pedro Feliz blasted a pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning for the winning run, his second career pinch-homer. The other came as a member of the San Francisco Giants on August 1, 2003. ... The three-game series against the Mets drew a total of 135,478 at Citizens Bank Park, which marked the largest attendance for a three-game set in the ballpark's history.

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday April 2nd 6:35 MT___TV-RSRM-CSN___Radio KOA 850 am



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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif _______ROCKIES (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF) VS PHILLIES (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/phi/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wk0bYF)_______htt p://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phi.gif



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg Jeff Francis 0-2 5.89era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7383) vs Brett Myers 2-1 3.96era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6864) http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/philliesbrettmyers.jpg




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Colorado: After three bad outings -- one wiped out mercifully by rain, two that counted -- Francis was in top form in his last outing. He threw seven shutout innings, gave up three hits and struck out seven at San Diego, but wound up with a no-decision because Jake Peavy threw eight shutout innings. Francis has not been pitching outside effectively, but that didn't matter against the Padres. He was getting strikes and bad swings on the outside part of the plate.



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/philliesbrettmyers.jpg

Phillies: Myers has found a groove. After two subpar starts to start the season, the right-hander has allowed four runs in 15 innings. He's coming off a stellar start in which he held the Astros to one run and five hits in seven innings on April 17. Myers has thrived at Coors Field, with a 4-0 record and a 2.63 ERA there in four outings.




http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)



Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis is keenly aware of how dangerous a lineup the Phillies have, and has been beat up by them in the past. He also knows he can beat them, having shut their hitters down in the first game of last year's National League Division Series. He believes he can do it again as the Rockies close out their two-game set.


A key for Francis will be to stay in the game. Righty Aaron Cook went seven in Saturday's victory over the Astros, and Francis went seven in his last start, but pitchers not reaching the seventh have increased the strain on the bullpen. The Rockies have been at or near the top of the league in relief ERA much of the season, but that can't hold if pitchers become tired. Manager Clint Hurdle said he's not going to blame the 'pen for the last two losses, including a 9-5 defeat at Coors by the Phillies on Monday. "This is more hiccups than anything," he said. "... They're not going to get it done every time." ... Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins is hot, on a six-game hitting streak during which he is batting .379 with three home runs. But so is catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who knocked a three-run homer on Monday and has nine RBIs in his last seven games. ... Clint Barmes went 2-for-4 Monday and has had multiple hits in six of his last eight games. ... The Rockies trailed, 6-5, going into the ninth, but left-hander Micah Bowie gave up three runs on three hits. ... Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca missed Monday night's game to tend to a family matter. The club is unsure when he'll return.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/philliescharliemanuel.jpg Charlie Manuel (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=43)

The Philadelphia Phillies are less likely to miss reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins if Chase Utley continues to hit home runs with regularity.

Utley looks to homer for the sixth straight game Tuesday night as the Phillies (10-10) try to sweep a two-game set from the Colorado Rockies.

Utley homered for the fifth straight game Monday - his major league-leading ninth home run. Utley, who homered twice on Sunday, has nine RBIs in the last five games and is hitting .354 this season.

He’s the first Phillies player to homer in five straight games since Bobby Abreu from May 8-12, 2005.

The Phillies are looking to win three straight for the first time this season, as well as move above .500 for the first time. With Monday’s victory, Philadelphia won back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.

Myers is looking to build off his best outing of the season. He pitched seven innings Thursday against Houston, allowing one run and five hits while striking out a season-high eight in a 10-2 victory.



Click on Teams Name/Pitchers Name/Managers Name for further info

[jackmcmanus21]

Chase Utley is on fire this season...he's definitely developed into one of the best players in baseball. I like him, he's a hometown guy!

[Old Sweater]

Chase Utley is on fire this season...he's definitely developed into one of the best players in baseball. I like him, he's a hometown guy!

Yeah, he just helped beat the Rockies for the 2nd night in a row. 3 straight blown saves by our bullpen.

OUCH!!!!

[Old Sweater]

Wednesday April 23rd 6:35 MT__TV-CLTV, FSRM__RADIO KOA 850 am


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______ Rockies (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF) vs Cubs (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/chc/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wV0bYF)_______htt p://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/chc.gif




http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/franklinmorales.jpg Franklin Morales 1-1 6.50era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7383) vs Rich Hill 1-0 3.86era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7578) http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/richhill.jpg


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Colorado: After helping the club to the playoffs in a late callup last season, Morales is finding things more difficult as a member of the Opening Day rotation. But just when Morales was starting to look overwhelmed, he took a giant leap forward in his last start, a victory over the Astros. His team scored six first-inning runs, but he gave up four in the bottom of the frame. But by doing what the Rockies asked -- quickening his tempo, not thinking as much -- Morales righted himself and didn't give up a run for the next four innings


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Cubs: Hill is breathing a lot easier now. The young lefty picked up his first win in his last start on Friday against the Pirates. He had spent a week working on the side, and it paid off. Against Pittsburgh, he gave up one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four. Hill still has some issues to resolve, but this was an important first step. However, Coors Field may not be the best place for his next start. He is 0-2 with an 11.32 ERA in two games there.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)


DENVER -- After three straight games in which the Rockies lost late leads, the bullpen faces questions over whether it is fatigued.
After all, relievers not only absorbed 15 innings of a 22-inning, 2-1 victory at San Diego on Thursday, but just twice in the five games since has a Rockies starter gone as many as seven innings. And, counting Wednesday night's opener of two games with the Cubs at Coors Field, the Rockies have eight games left on a string of 16 straight days with a scheduled game.

As right-hander Taylor Buchholz noted, it's tough to tell how tired relievers are.

"It's funny," Buchholz said. "It always seems as if you're tired in the bullpen or you're never getting enough work. There's never that middle area where everyone's feeling great. But that's part of being down there."

Left-hander Josh Newman, called up to replace Bowie, was summoned in the fifth inning of Triple-A Colorado Springs' game with Tacoma on Tuesday. He arrived at Coors in the fifth inning of Tuesday night's game with the Phillies. "I barely made it. I almost died on the way to the airport because of the taxi driver," Newman said. "It's been a long day, but I'm excited and ready to help the team any way I can." ... Members of the University of Denver ski team, which won its 19th NCAA Division I national championship, were honored on the field before Tuesday night's game. ... Third baseman Garrett Atkins has homered in four of the last five games and three straight -- the Rockies' longest such run since Matt Holliday went deep in four straight from Sept. 9-12 of last season. The club record is five straight, shared by Dante Bichette from Aug. 1-5, 1995, and Larry Walker from June 18-23, 1999.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/cubsloupiniella.jpg Lou Piniella (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=30)

RF Fuseke Fukudome was scratched from Sunday's game against the Pirates due to swelling from a cyst above his right eye. It marked the first time Fukedome has missed a game as he started the Cubs' first 17 contests. ... Chicago posted its second three-game sweep of Pittsburgh in the last two weeks. Overall, the Cubs have won nine straight against the Pirates, dating to last season. ... LHP Scott Eyre, on the disabled list since the start of the season due to left elbow inflammation, may be getting closer to returning. The Cubs expect that Eyre will begin a rehab assignment in the coming days. "We're going to send him down to Daytona Beach or someplace that's warm and let him get some work there," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "But he's probably still not on the horizon yet of being here. He's been out a while now and he's going to need a little time. What's a little time? A week to 10 days? I don't know." ... The Cubs improved to 5-1 on an eight-game homestand that concludes with a pair of contests against the New York Mets. ... The Cubs scored 13 runs for the second straight day. The 26 runs raised their season total to 111, second in the National League to the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Cubs are on the verge of becoming only the second team in Major League history to win 10,000 games. They enter their two-game series against the Colorado Rockies with 9,999 wins. The New York/San Francisco Giants are the only other Major League team to top 10,000 wins.
"I remember when we won 5,000," Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster said Tuesday. "What an emotional day that was. We were so excited -- we realized we still had an uphill climb to 10,000.

"To be on the verge of that -- I've been here since the first one, and to get to 10,000, it's a long, hard struggle, and I'm looking forward to it."

Mark DeRosa has a season-high nine-game hitting streak and is batting .367 during that stretch. ... Relievers Scott Eyre and Chad Fox have joined Class A Daytona to begin Minor League rehab assignments. ... Donnie Veal gave up no earned runs over five innings and notched the win in Double-A Tennessee's 6-3 victory over Carolina. ... Last year, the Cubs were 5-2 against the NL champion Rockies, although they were 2-2 in Colorado. The Cubs swept the three-game series in Chicago last June 25-27. ... Some trivia: The last time the Cubs and White Sox were in first place at the same time after a significant number of games (and we're not including first week standings) was May 23, 2004, when both teams were 25-18. In 2003, both teams were in first at the same time as late as Sept. 9. The Cubs were 77-67 at that time, and the Sox were 78-66.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Cubs Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Thursday April 24th 1:05 pm MT__TV-FSRM-WGN__Radio KOA 850 am


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF) vs Cubs (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/chc/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wV0bYF)_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/chc.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg___Aaron Cook 2-1 3.12era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6981) vs Jason Marquis 1-0 3.86era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6493)___http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jasonmarquis.jpg


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Colorado: In his last start, Saturday at Houston, Cook overcame a high early pitch count and held the Astros to two runs, one earned, and four hits in seven innings. Cook has his sinker working and is able to throw a cut fastball to take hitters off of it. He has become the Rockies' most dependable pitcher.





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Cubs: Marquis earned his first win of the season against the Pirates on Saturday, tossing six innings of one-run ball. His sinker was sharp, he said, which led to seven strikeouts and only one walk. Marquis gave up six hits in what was his longest outing of the season. He'll need that sinker at Coors Field against the reigning National League champs.



Numerous late-inning rallies led the Rockies (9-12) to 21 wins in 22 games last fall as they advanced to their first World Series, but they’ve been making a habit of squandering leads during their recent struggles.

They had won four straight and led 4-3 in the eighth inning at Houston on Sunday, but reliever Brian Fuentes allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning in a 6-4 loss.

Philadelphia scored five runs in the final two innings Monday, winning 9-5, and Colorado closer Manny Corpas has blown saves the last two days, allowing five runs in two innings. Corpas has blown four of his eight save opportunities.

Aramis Ramirez’s two-run home run gave the Cubs (15-6) the lead in the ninth on Wednesday, and Chicago eventually won 7-6 in 10 innings on Ryan Theriot’s RBI single.

“It’s obviously tough any time you lose leads late,” Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “It makes it extra tough. I remember we went through a stretch last year where we did the same kind of thing and ended up all right. At least we know we can still be OK.”

Tulowitzki was a bright spot Wednesday, hitting a three-run home run—his first of the season—to put the Rockies ahead. The shortstop had been benched Tuesday, and was dropped to seventh in the order for Wednesday’s game due to his .163 average coming in

While the Rockies have struggled, the Cubs tied Arizona for the league’s best record with Wednesday’s win—their 10,000th in franchise history. Chicago has won six straight, nine of 10 and 14 of 17, thanks largely to the league’s highest-scoring offense.

The Cubs lead the majors with 133 runs. They’ve scored at least seven in each of the last five games, totaling 48 runs over that span. Ramirez is 9-for-18 with three home runs and nine RBIs in those games.

“I don’t think we could predict the way we were going to be swinging the bats right now,” Cubs closer Kerry Wood said. “I don’t think we have more than one guy in the lineup hitting under .300.”

Jason Marquis will hope to again benefit Thursday. Marquis (1-0, 3.86 ERA) got 11 runs of support last Saturday, allowing just one run in six innings of a 13-1 win against Pittsburgh.

Marquis has never lost at Coors Field, winning all three of his starts, and allowing only four earned runs in 19 2-3 innings. Last August, he yielded an unearned run and five hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 6-2 victory.

The Rockies will look to Aaron Cook to end their skid. Cook (2-1, 3.12) has pitched well this year after missing more than two months late last season with an oblique injury.

He’s allowed just five earned runs in 20 innings in his last three starts, going 2-0 over that span. In his only home start, he yielded just two hits in seven innings of a 2-1 win over Atlanta, and he gave up just four hits in seven innings at Houston Saturday in the Rockies’ last win.

“Aaron’s last four innings were great,” Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. “They got four hits on him and in this park that’s just a dominating effort.”

The Rockies are trying to avoid their second five-game losing streak of the season, while the Cubs are looking to win seven in a row for the first time since last June.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)

3B Garrett Atkins extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single Wednesday night. He tied Matt Holliday for the Rockies' longest hitting streak of the season. Atkins is batting .396 with four homers and 11 RBI during the streak. ... LF Matt Holliday, who has 72 career home runs at Coors Field, is one blast shy of fifth-place all time for home runs in this ballpark. ... RHP Manny Corpas has blown four saves this season and has given up five runs and five hits in his last two innings of work. Corpas blew just three save opportunities last season.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/cubsloupiniella.jpg Lou Piniella (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=30)


C Geovany Soto matched his career high with four hits on Wednesday night - and it was the second time this season he's done it. ... 3B Aramis Ramirez doubled home the Cubs' third run of the game on Wednesday night to extend his on-base streak to 21 games this season. If he can reach base Thursday, he will join Ron Santo (1976) and Lee Walls (1958) for the Cubs' third-longest on-base streak to start a season. ... The Cubs lead the majors with 133 runs scored this season and lead the National League in team batting average (.289) and on-base percentage (.373).


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Cubs Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Finally won a close one 4-2 over the Cubs after giving up 4 straight game when we had the lead in the 8th.

[Old Sweater]

Friday April 25th 8:40pm MT__TV-FSN__Radio KOA 850 am TV: PRIME-HD | Radio: KABC 790, KHJ 930


Dodger Stadium


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif_______Dodgers (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/lad/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wd0bYF) vs Rockies (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF)_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/hirokikuroda.jpg_Hiroki Kuroda 1-2 2.92era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/8167) vs Ubaldo Jimenez 1-2 4.64era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7900)_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg


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Dodgers: Hiroki Kuroda bobbed and weaved through a third quality start in Atlanta. He was hit relatively hard and needed 118 pitches just to get through six innings, but he was able to strand 10 runners and keep his club in the game. He was behind in many counts as his command wavered, particularly with the cut fastball, and too many pitches caught too much of the plate.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg

Colorado: Jimenez's talent is evident, but his inexperience is preventing him from achieving results that match it. Against the Astros on Sunday, he gave up four hits and walked five with two out. For the 5 2/3 innings he was in the game, he gave up five hits and struck out six. Jimenez struggled last season in his only start at Dodger Stadium, giving up five earned runs in four innings.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/dodgersjowtorre.jpg Joe Torre (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=10)

Struggling CF Andruw Jones was back in the lineup after being held out Tuesday against Cincinnati. Jones, who turned 31 on Wednesday, entered the game batting .159 with one home run and 22 strikeouts in 63 at-bats. He went 1-for-5 against Arizona in the first of three home games. ... The team has grounded into 13 double plays over the last seven games, including five during two games against the Reds. .... SS Rafael Furcal is second in the National League in batting average at .397. Atlanta's Chipper Jones is first at .430. ... RHP Takashi Saito had his first major league at-bat on Wednesday and struck out looking.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)

3B Garrett Atkins extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single Wednesday night. He tied Matt Holliday for the Rockies' longest hitting streak of the season. Atkins is batting .396 with four homers and 11 RBI during the streak. ... LF Matt Holliday, who has 72 career home runs at Coors Field, is one blast shy of fifth-place all time for home runs in this ballpark. ... RHP Manny Corpas has blown four saves this season and has given up five runs and five hits in his last two innings of work. Corpas blew just three save opportunities last season.




The Colorado Rockies are back in the win column for the first time in five games. To stay there, they’ll try to take advantage of a division rival they dominated toward the end of last season.

The Rockies look to win their eighth straight game against the Los Angeles Dodgers as the NL West rivals open a three-game series in Los Angeles on Friday night.

Colorado looked like an outsider in last season’s playoff race before it put together a remarkable run, winning 14 of its last 15 games - including a franchise-record 11-game win streak - en route to the first World Series appearance in team history.

Seven of the wins during that 11-game run came against the Dodgers, giving the Rockies their longest win streak in the series in the franchise’s 15 years of existence. Colorado had never finished ahead of Los Angeles in the standings before 2007.

“A lot of things are going right for them,” Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre - a former Colorado player - said of the Rockies after the teams’ final meeting Sept. 27. “It’s a good makeup over there. They’ve had a lot of young guys they stood by and they let them grow. And now they’re reaping the benefits.”

However, this year’s Rockies (10-12) haven’t been able to extend their dominance from last fall. They’re 10th in the NL in runs scored and batting average, and 12th in team ERA.

The Rockies haven’t solved all of their problems, but they hope they’ve at least found the answer for their bullpen’s struggles. Colorado relievers had surrendered a late-inning lead in each game of the team’s four-game losing streak before Brian Fuentes closed a 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for his first save since June 21 of last season

“As much as I tried to make (being a setup man) the same (as being a closer), it wasn’t,” Fuentes said. “There was so much electricity in the air (Thursday), the crowd was into it and I just kind of go with my emotions.”

Earlier in the day, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle named Fuentes the closer, replacing the struggling Manny Corpas, who took the job from Fuentes last summer. Corpas has blown four of his eight save chances in 2008.

“I’ve watched a volume of work. Take it from there. It’s apparent to me that we need to shuffle the deck,” Hurdle said. “We are seeing the inconsistencies. You need to find a way to help (Corpas).”

Colorado now hopes to take advantage of its first meeting with Los Angeles (9-13), which has dropped five of seven. The Dodgers fell 6-4 against Arizona on Thursday night, snapping their three-game home win streak.

The Dodgers will try to get back on track behind Hiroki Kuroda (1-2, 2.92 ERA), who has fared well in his first four starts since signing with them out of Japan in December. The right-hander held Atlanta to two runs in six innings on Sunday in a 6-1 defeat.

“He pitched well enough to win,” Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “He gave us a chance to win.”

Kuroda will match up against Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez (1-2, 4.64), who has struggled with his control, walking 17 in 21 1-3 innings spanning four starts. The right-hander issued five walks and gave up three runs in 5 2-3 innings of Colorado’s 6-4 loss at Houston on Sunday.



Click for Dodger Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2008.shtml)

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Saturday April 26th 8:10 MT__TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850am TV: KCAL | Radio: KABC 790, KHJ 930


Dodger Stadium


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif_______Dodgers (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/lad/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wd0bYF) vs Rockies (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF)_______htt p://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/bradpenny.jpg_Brad Penny 3-2 2.67era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6276) vs Mark Redman 2-1 5.23era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7383)_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/markredman.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/bradpenny.jpg

Dodgers: The Dodgers scored early and often against the Reds and Penny knew what to do with the lead, extending his record at Great American Ball Park to 5-0 while allowing one earned run over six innings. He faces his favorite opponent in this start, as he's 12-2 with a 2.92 ERA lifetime against the Rockies and was 2-0 last year. Penny not only is effectively spotting his fastball, but he is finally incorporating his splitter as a regular part of his repertoire


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/markredman.jpg


Rockies: In his last start, at home against the Phillies, Redman struck out five and forced nine ground-ball outs. He gave up just four fly balls, but three were home runs (one caromed off the wall in right-center for an inside-the-park homer). Working with a less-than-blazing fastball and a changeup that is his best pitch, Redman has little room for mistakes up and over the plate. This time, though, Dodger Stadium is more forgiving than Coors Field and the Dodgers' lineup doesn't match that of the Phillies.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/dodgersjowtorre.jpg_Joe Torre (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=10)


Center fielder Andruw Jones came out of Friday night's game in the fifth inning with stiffness from a contusion in his left calf. He was said to be day to day

Of perhaps greater concern, third baseman Nomar Garciaparra was removed after suffering a strained left calf muscle making a quick movement going for Scott Podsednik's double down the line.

Garciaparra's injury, compounded by the fact that Chin-lung Hu and Delwyn Young had already been used, forced All-Star catcher Russell Martin into his Major League debut as a third baseman. The left calf is the same one that put Garciaparra on the disabled list last year. Garciaparra will be placed on the disabled list and Blake DeWitt will be recalled to replace him.

Clayton Kershaw, tuning up for his inevitable big-league promotion, allowed only two hits over six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in a no-decision for Double-A Jacksonville Friday night, lowering his ERA to 1.40. Kershaw also had as many hits as he allowed (two) ... Joe Torre's ejection Thursday night was the 71st of his Major League career, including both as a player and manager ... For the second time in a month, veteran left-handed reliever Mike Myers asked for and received his release out of Triple-A Las Vegas, one day after the Dodgers promoted Double-A reliever Cory Wade to the big leagues ... Triple-A outfielder George Lombard also was released from Triple-A on Friday. He was hitting .163 ... Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully will receive an honorary degree from Pepperdine University Saturday, when he gives the Seaver College Commencement address. Scully will receive Pepperdine's highest honor, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Dodgers president Jamie McCourt will introduce the Hall of Fame broadcaster ... Hu and Young, Dodgers alumni Bobby Castillo and Kenny Landreaux, and nearly 100 students from Allesandro Elementary School will particpate in the first Dodgers Play Ball L.A. on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg_Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)

Eight of the Rockies' last nine games have been close in the late innings. Three of them, including Friday night's 8-7 loss to the Dodgers in 13 innings, have gone to extra innings. The Rockies have lost five of them.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, slowly but surely climbing out of a slump that led to a brief benching, has the support of his teammates. "I've been on teams where that wasn't the case," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "They're rooting for you to go 0-fer one more time so somebody can run you out of here. They're all pulling for [struggling rookie Jayson] Nix in there. They're happy for [catcher Chris] Iannetta, the way things have gone [this year, after a rough rookie year in 2007]. It's a very close bunch, very unselfish." ... Center fielder Willy Taveras is 5-for-6 on stolen base attempts and is a threat. But Hurdle believes Scott Podsednik, who is getting increased playing time in center, is better at it. "He is a base stealer," Hurdle said. "Other guys outrun the ball and have speed. That's one thing we're continuing to work on with Willy. He has great speed, and he's getting better as time goes on. He doesn't have the base stealing skills, I don't think, that Scott does at this point in time. That's one thing we're confident we can help him grow into." ... Nix started Friday night for the first time in four games, but descended deeper into his slump. He went 0-for-6 to drop his average to .111.


Click for Dodgers Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2008.shtml)

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Sunday April 28th 2:10 MT-TV: my20 | Radio: KOA 850/ TV: PRIME-HD | Radio: KABC 790, KHJ 930


Dodger Stadium


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif Bunch of Bums Dodgers (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/lad/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wd0bYF) vs Rockies (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/teams/col/stats;_ylt=AtZZBrLKCJ9jh8kELtUxg4wY0bYF) Beat the Bums http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif_Esteban Loaiza 1-2 4.32era vs Jeff Francis 0-2 5.68era (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7383)_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg


Esteban Loaiza

Loaiza got the call, taking over for Hong-Chih Kuo, who had taken over for Loaiza after one start. That's the way it's been for the Dodgers and their fifth starter this year. In Loaiza's only start, he allowed four runs in the first inning, then retired 10 consecutive hitters. In his only start against Colorado last year, he allowed three runs in 3 2/3 innings.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg

After a rough start, Francis has gone seven innings in each of his last two starts. Tuesday night wasn't as good as his previous start, when he pitched seven shutout innings in San Diego. But he left with a 6-4 lead against the Phillies, only to see the bullpen falter. Francis would have had an even more sparkling outing if not for two hiccups -- the fourth inning, when he walked the opposing pitcher to load the bases and walked in a run, and the seventh when he left a pitch over the plate for a Jayson Werth homer. But he looked more like the pitcher that won 17 games last year than he did in his first two starts.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/dodgersjowtorre.jpg_Joe Torre (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=10)

Only four Dodgers have had 15 or more extra-base hits in the month of April since the club moved to Los Angeles, and Rafael Furcal is one of them. With 10 doubles, two triples and three home runs, Furcal needs another extra-base hit to tie Tim Wallach's 16 in April 1994. He's level with Ron Cey (1977) and Gary Sheffield (2000) in this category. ... Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully stopped on his way to the ballpark to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at Pepperdine University's commencement exercises, where he was presented by Dodgers president Jamie McCourt. ... Brad Penny recorded the 1,000th strikeout of his career in Saturday's win, in which he worked a season-high seven innings. ... Penny, with two singles, also had his first multihit game since going 2-for-3 with a double on Sept. 19 at Colorado. ... Prior to his grand slam in the first inning on Saturday, Matt Kemp was 1-for-17 (.059) in his career with the bases loaded.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/rockiesclinthurdle.jpg_Clint Hurdle (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/coach?id=27)


You can run on catcher Yorvit Torrealba.
Last year, that sentence was a line in a scouting report that made the Rockies cringe and made speedy runners on other teams light up. Now, it's a dare the Rockies are happy to make.

The Dodgers tried three steals from the ninth inning on in their 8-7, 13-inning victory over the Rockies on Friday night. None of them paid off. Torrealba threw out Juan Pierre, Matt Kemp and Rafael Furcal.

The Rockies' attempt to at least repeat as National League champions has degenerated into something of a repeat of the start of last season. Through 24 games last year, they were 9-15. ... Third baseman Garrett Atkins extended his hit streak to 10 games with a two-run homer in the first inning Saturday night. It was his sixth home run of this season. He didn't hit his sixth last season until June 15. ... Francis is 4-1 with a 2.65 ERA in nine starts against the Dodgers in his career.


Click for Dodgers Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2008.shtml)

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Monday April 28th 8:15 MT TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA
TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680, KLOK 1170


AT&T Park


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif______Giants vs Rockies_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/mattcain.jpg_Matt Cain 0-2 5.27era vs Franklin Morales 1-1 6.00era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/franklinmorales.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/mattcain.jpg

Giants: Although Cain pitched well enough to win, he received a no-decision in his most recent outing, and that actually represented an improvement in his luck. Cain had perhaps his strongest performance of the season, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings last Wednesday at San Diego. But he left trailing 1-0 because San Diego's Greg Maddux was doing his usual number (zero) on the Giants. Bengie Molina's ninth-inning homer off Trevor Hoffman rescued Cain from another hard-luck loss. Since the beginning of last season, the Giants have scored no more than one run in 17 of Cain's 37 starts.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/franklinmorales.jpg

Rockies: Morales battled through six innings on Wednesday and held the Cubs to three runs on eight hits. The Cubs made him pay when he left the ball up in the zone, but when he kept the ball down, he was successful. Morales did not have his best stuff; however, unlike last year when he would rattle easily, he pitched his way out of jams and avoided big innings.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif

With a loss in Sunday's game to the Reds, the Giants are now 3-9 in day games, having posted each victory against St. Louis. ... The Giants are 2-4 in games in which backup catcher Steve Holm starts. ... The Giants were 8-10 against the Rockies last season, winning four out of nine games at AT&T Park.


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In Sunday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Dodgers, center fielder Willy Taveras went 2-for-5 with a double and a bunt single. Taveras remains the regular center fielder, but will not start every day because Ryan Spilborghs and Scott Podsednik also have shown worthy of playing time. Taveras questioned the fact he sat out three games last week. Hurdle's acknowledged Taveras's strengths and weaknesses and made it clear Taveras is the main guy, but he also called for Taveras to be patient, open and constructive. "I do think there comes a point in time in everybody's career that everybody wants to play, but everybody needs to be respectful of everybody else's talents," Hurdle said, noting that it could help Taveras watch the older Podsednik run the bases. Hurdle also said Spilborghs brings a run production threat that Taveras and Podsednik don't. ... Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins extended his hit streak to 12 games with a single in the 10th inning on Sunday. Atkins is hitting .368 (21-for-57) during his run.


Click for Giants Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2008.shtml)

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday April 29th 6:15 MT TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680, KLOK 1170TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680, KLOK 1170


AT&T Park


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif______Giants vs Rockies_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/timlincecum.jpg_Tim Lincecum 4-0 1.23era vs Aaron Cook 3-1 2.91era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/timlincecum.jpg

Giants: Lincecum worked 6 1/3 shutout innings last Thursday in a 1-0 victory at San Diego to extend his scoreless streak to 16 2/3 innings. The right-hander continued to throw predominantly fastballs while striking out nine, hiking his season total to 36 in 29 1/3 innings. This will be Lincecum's third start of the year at AT&T Park, where he's 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Lincecum faced Colorado twice last season, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.50 ERA. He has been particularly tough on National League West foes during his brief career, owning a 4-1 record with a 1.97 ERA in 10 games.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg

Rockies: Cook has become the most consistent starter and a stopper for the Rockies, ending losing streaks in his last two starts. He had his sinker working on Thursday against the Cubs. He worked eight innings, holding Chicago to two runs on four hits and retiring 16 straight at one point. When Cook is getting groundball outs by using his sinker, he's tough to beat with the reigning best defensive club in the Majors behind him.


Click for Giants Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2008.shtml)

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)


Like this matchup. Coolk has been one of the few bright spots for the Rockies so far this year.

[Old Sweater]

Wednesday April 30th 1:45 MT TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680, KLOK 1170


AT&T Park


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif_______Giants vs Rockies_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jonathansanchez.jpg_Jonathan Sanchez 2-1 3.54era vs Ubaldo Jimenez 1-2 6.46era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jonathansanchez.jpg

Giants: Last Friday might have been Sanchez's coming-out party. He took a two-hit shutout into the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds and left the game having allowed one run and four hits in a 3-1 victory. A bruised left ring finger left Sanchez unable to throw a changeup, so he stuck with his fastball, sinker and slider -- with impressive results. Sanchez has always struggled to maintain a consistent release point, but his effort against the Reds indicated that he's making progress.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg

Rockies: After lasting 2 1/3 innings in his last start, at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, Jimenez may be on thin ice in the rotation. Jimenez's total inability to throw quality strikes, or even strikes at all in some cases, led to his giving up six runs on seven hits, with three walks, a hit batter and three wild pitches while facing just 17 hitters against the Dodgers.


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Bruce Bochy became the winningest foreign-born manager in Major League history with Monday's 4-0 Giants triumph over Colorado. It was win No. 1,034 for Bochy, who passed Felipe Alou. Bochy was born in Landes de Bussac, France, where his father was stationed as a U.S. Army officer. During a vacation last offseason with his wife, Kim, Bochy visited his birthplace. Or so he thought. "It turned out we went to the wrong Bussac," Bochy said, explaining that three of them exist. "We missed it by a scant 50 miles." ... Opponents entered Tuesday batting .279 off Giants closer Brian Wilson but only .219 in his nine save opportunities.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif

Two games, two balks called by the umpiring crew, two managerial ejections. Hurdle was tossed after Morales was called in the first inning Monday. On Tuesday, the Giants' Tim Lincecum was called by plate umpire Gary Darling, forcing in the winning run in the seventh inning. Giants catcher Bengie Molina argued that he called time, but Darling ruled that Molina was merely trying to cover for the fact Lincecum illegally started and stopped his motion to the plate. ... Garrett Atkins' 14-game hit streak is the longest active run in baseball. ... The win Tuesday for Rockies right-hander Aaron Cook (4-1) moved him into fourth place on the Rockies' career wins list with 40. He surpassed Kevin Ritz.


Click for Giants Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2008.shtml)

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)


Last night was the 4th straight game won by Cook. Giants more or less gave the game away with baserunning errors and a balk in a close 3-2 game.

[Old Sweater]

Friday May 2nd 7:05 MT TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: PRIME-HD | Radio: KABC 790, KHJ 930


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies vs Dodgers_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg_Jeff Francis 0-2 5.01era vs Brad Penny 4-2 2.89era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/bradpenny.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg

Rockies: After two awful starts to open the year, Francis has posted a 2.57 ERA in his last three. But he doesn't have a win, and the Rockies have dropped two of the three games. He's limiting mistakes, having given up just 14 hits in his last 21 innings. His first step to recovery was getting pitches to the proper location on his arm side (outside to right-handers), and lately he has been able to use the other side of the plate for strikes and for balls when he wants. In his last start, held the Dodgers to two run in seven innings and he is 4-1 with a 2.64 ERA in 10 starts against them.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/bradpenny.jpg

Dodgers: In Penny's last outing, he once again took advantage of an early hitting frenzy, coming out of the first inning of an 11-3 win over the Rockies with a 10-2 lead and continuing to hold Colorado's potent hitting attack in check over seven innings, his longest outing of the season. Beginning with the final out of the first inning, he retired 13 in in a row. Penny is now 13-2 against the Rockies in his career, having won both decisions against the National League champions in 2007 and adding last Saturday night's performance.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif

Rockies right-hander Jason Hirsh is slowly making his way back from a shoulder strain. He threw a 30-pitch bullpen session, using all his pitches, Tuesday and reported no pain. He'll throw another bullpen session Friday. ... The Rockies are hitting .215 (59-for-274) with runners in scoring position this season. ... Left-hander Franklin Morales has been optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs after beginning the season 1-2 with a 6.39 ERA, but he won't go straight to the Sky Sox. Instead, he'll pitch in extended Spring Training to work with organization roving pitching coach Jim Wright. Morales threw a bullpen session in San Francisco with Wright watching and made progress toward correcting the mechanical problems that have caused a drop in fastball velocity. ... Garrett Atkins' hit streak ended at 14 games with his 0-for-4 performance in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Giants. ... Leadoff man Willy Taveras' three steals Wednesday matched a career high he set last Aug. 1 against the Marlins.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Dodgers Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2008.shtml)



Got Brilli in a trade with the Tigers.

[Old Sweater]

Sat May 3rd 6:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: PRIME-HD | Radio: KABC 790, KHJ 930


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies vs Dodgers_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/JorgeDeLaRosa.jpg_Jorge De La Rosa 0-0 -.--era vs Esteban Loaiza 1-2 4.15era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/estebanloaiza.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/JorgeDeLaRosa.jpg

Rockies: By demoting left-handed rookie Franklin Morales to Triple-A Colorado Springs, moving lefty Jeff Francis to Friday night and pushing lefty Mark Redman to Tuesday against the Cardinals, the Rockies created an opening for Saturday, then completed a trade with the Royals for De La Rosa, who was 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts for the Royals' Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. De La Rosa was the player to be named in the Spring Training deal that sent right-handed reliever Ramon Ramirez to the Royals.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/estebanloaiza.jpg

Dodgers: Loaiza made his second start and got into the fifth inning on Sunday against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. He maintained his stuff through four scoreless frames before the Rockies tagged him for both runs in the fifth inning. Loaiza allowed two earned runs, five hits, one walk and struck out one. He made the most out of 70 pitches, throwing 44 for strikes.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif

Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras earned his 12th and 13th stolen bases of the season in Friday night's 11-6 loss to the Dodgers. He has stolen eight straight and is 4-for-4 on steals of third. ... Todd Helton homered off Dodgers starter Brad Penny, who is 14-2 in his career against the Rockies. However, Helton is hitting .316 (18-for-57) against Penny. ... Right-handed reliever Jason Grilli made his Rockies debut Friday, giving up two hits but inducing a double-play grounder in the seventh. ... Scott Podsednik entered in the seventh and knocked a two-run triple Friday. He is 4-for-13 (.308) with five walks and a hit-by-pitch as a pinch-hitter.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif

With general manager Ned Colletti watching, 20-year-old phenom Clayton Kershaw allowed one unearned run over 6 2/3 innings Friday night for Double-A Jacksonville, but drew a no-decision and remains winless. He allowed six hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Kershaw is having his innings limited to 25 per month so he has something left to help the Major League club later in the year. His ERA is 1.11. ... Joe Beimel picked up victories in three of the previous four games, the first time a Dodgers pitcher had accomplished that since Mike Marshall in June 1974, the year he won the Cy Young Award. ... Injured infielder Tony Abreu will spend a few days at extended Spring Training in Florida before joining Triple-A Las Vegas for an injury rehab assignment. He's been out with lingering groin muscle soreness. ... The May issue of Dodgers Magazine, which honors the Dodgers' run of greatness during the 1960s, will be availale at Dodger Stadium beginning on Monday and can be ordered online at dodgers.com/magazine or by calling toll-free at 877-BLUE-62.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Dodgers Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Sunday May 4th 1:05 MT-TV: my20 | Radio: KOA 850
TV: KCAL | Radio: KABC 790, KHJ 930


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies vs Dodgers_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/los.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg_Aaron Cook 4-1 2.41era vs Derek Lowe 2-1 2.88era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/dereklowe.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg

Rockies: Tuesday night marked the fourth time Cook has started and the Rockies have ended a losing streak. Cook not only stays smooth throughout his outings, but he is showing a knack for making a big pitch. He fanned just three in seven innings against the Giants, when he gave up two unearned runs but won, 3-2. However, with runners at the corners and one out in the seventh, he picked Eugenio Velez off first then struck out Ray Durham -- who entered the game with favorable numbers against Cook.


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Dodgers: Lowe dreads Coors Field (5.87 ERA there). In his Tuesday night no-decision in Florida, he didn't seem to show any signs of the tight elbow that shortened his previous start, but was unable to protect a five-run lead. Three of the six runs he allowed in five innings were unearned, but he wasn't able to stop the damage when betrayed by his defense. He allowed an uncharacteristic four extra-base hits.


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aani2008rox.gif

One of the bright spots in Saturday's loss was Jonathan Herrera's first big league hit, a two-out pinch-single in the bottom of the sixth that ended Hong-Chih Kuo's run of retiring nine straight Rockies. "I was ready for it," Herrera said. "I felt good. I recognized a really good pitch right down the middle, and I hit the ball to right field. I'm so happy. My first hit in the big leagues." It was Herrera's second game for the Rockies, having started Wednesday in San Francisco, where he went 0-for-2 with a walk. "My other game I was so excited and happy. Right now I'm going to be happy every opportunity they give me." ... Todd Helton's double in the second was his 800th career extra-base hit, making him one of 12 active players to hit the plateau. ... Saturday's starting pitcher, Jorge De La Rosa, recorded his first big league RBI with a sacrifice fly to left in the second inning.


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Juan Pierre, with three hits Saturday night, has seven hits in his last three games and is a career .335 hitter at Coors Field, having played for the Rockies from 2000-2002. With two stolen bases, Pierre leads the club with nine. The team has 13 steals in the last three games. ... The Dodgers are unbeaten in their last six games against a left-handed starter and 8-3 on the season. ... The Dodgers have 13 or more hits in four of their last five games. .

Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Dodgers Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Monday May 5th 6:35 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KTRS 550


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 12-19 vs Cardinals 19-12_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/stl.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg_Ubaldo Jimenez 1-2 5.90era vs Joel Pineiro 2-2 3.75era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/joelpineiro.jpg


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Rockies: Jimenesz's spot in the rotation was in jeopardy before he turned in an encouraging 5 1/3 innings during which he gave up three hits, including a home run, and finished with a no-decision in the Rockies' 3-2 loss to the Giants on Wednesday. By being able to repeat his delivery, Jimenez had his liveliest fastball of the year and was able to change speeds and throw his breaking ball.


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Cardinals: Pineiro showed that he knows how to pitch with a big lead. After a rocky beginning to his last game, he came out firing once he got a seven-run lead. It led to a lot of hard contact, but only one walk over the final five innings. Control has been Pineiro's key since he's come to St. Louis. He's thrown strikes consistently, and it's worked out.


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Todd Helton walked twice on Sunday and has reached base in his last 16 games. ... Scott Podsednik is hitting .400 (8-for-20) in his five starts this season and has at least two hits in each of his last three starts. ... Taylor Buchholz on Sunday became the third Rockies pitcher to record a save this season, joining Brian Fuentes and Manuel Corpas.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Cardinals Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2008.shtml)



Cook won his 5th straight game and it was the 6th straight for the Rockies in games Cook has pitched!

[Old Sweater]

Thursday May 8th 1:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KTRS 550


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 13-21 vs Cardinals 22-13_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/stl.gif

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/JorgeDeLaRosa.jpg_Jorge De La Rosa 0-1 20.25era vs Kyle Lohse 3-1 3.79era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/kylelohse.jpg


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Brian Fuentes is 3-for-3 in save opportunities since taking over the closer job from Manuel Corpas on April 24. ... Omar Quintanilla has a career-best five-game hitting streak and has hit at least one double in four of those five games. ... Alberto Arias made his first appearance with the Rockies this season on Wednesday, pitching two scoreless innings of relief. Arias is the 18th pitcher the Rockies have used this season, which is the most in the National League and tied with the Rangers for tops in the Majors.


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Albert Pujols' seventh-inning single Wednesday extended his season-opening streak to 35 games reaching base safely. Though clear records for on-base streaks are hard to document, Ted Williams reached safely in 65 games to open the 1948 season. ... Ryan Ludwick has a seven-game hitting streak, hitting .550 (11-for-20) in that span. He is 7-for-9 (.778) against the Rockies this week, collecting his fifth home run to leadoff the fifth.

[Old Sweater]

Friday May 9th 8:05 MT-TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: 4SD/704-HD | Radio: XPRS 1090, XEMO 860


PETCO Park


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 14-21 at Padres 12-23_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/sdg_1.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg_Aaron Cook 5-1 2.40era vs Jake Peavy 4-1 2.22era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jakepeavy.jpg


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Rockies: You can't blame Aaron Cook for the Rockies' poor start. In fact, things would be worse without him, as Cook has stopped Rockies' losing streaks no less than five times already this season. The red-headed sinker-baller also has won five consecutive decisions, and the Rockies are 6-1 in his seven starts.


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Padres: Peavy picked up his fourth victory of the season in his last start on May 3 against the Marlins, though he got off to a rough start. Peavy allowed a two-run, opposite-field home run to Mike Jacobs in the first inning, but settled down thereafter. Showing as nasty a slider as he has this season, the Cy Young winner struck out eight in going 5 2/3 innings. He retired 12 of the final 14 batters that he faced in the game. He'll make his second start against the Rockies. Peavy tossed eight scoreless innings against Colorado on April 17 in a game the Padres would lose, 2-1, in 22 innings.


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Chris Iannetta has RBIs in three straight and four of his last five games. He has 14 RBIs this season in just 16 games. ... Omar Quintanilla has a six-game hitting streak. Five of his 10 hits this season are doubles.


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San Diego committed three errors and couldn’t hold a three-run lead in falling 5-4 at Atlanta on Thursday.

Adrian Gonzalez went 3-for-5 and Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in two runs for the Padres, who have been outscored 25-12 during their four-game losing streak.

Gonzalez has hit safely in nine straight games, batting .375 with four homers and eight RBIs during the run. The first baseman is 6-for-14 with a homer lifetime against Cook.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Padres Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/2008.shtml)


Woo Hoo-Two in a row with Cook going today.

[Old Sweater]

Sat May 10th 8:05-TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: 4SD/704-HD | Radio: XPRS 1090, XEMO 860


PETCO Park


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aani2008rox.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 15-21 at Padres 12-24_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/sdg_1.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg_______Ubaldo Jimenez 1-2 5.82era vs Greg Maddux 2-3 4.09era_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/gregmaddux.jpg


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Rockies: The roller-coaster ride continues for the promising but still inconsistent young right-hander. He has pitched just well enough in his last two starts to secure his spot in a somewhat shaky rotation, but continues to battle with location and limiting damage in big innings. Jimenez also leads the Majors with eight wild pitches.


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Padres: Maddux was unsuccessful in his fourth bid at career victory No. 350, as he allowed four earned runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in his last start against the Marlins on May 4. Maddux didn't have nearly the same amount of movement on his pitches as he's had in previous starts this season, which is always a key component success. Maddux was around the plate as usual, as he had one walk and it was intentional. But the Marlins took advantage of fastballs up in the strike zone, as evidenced by the home run Dan Uggla hit to center field in the second inning. This will be Maddux's first start against Colorado this season.


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Second baseman Omar Quintanilla is providing a hot bat for the Rockies. Before Friday's series opener, he had hit safely in his last six games.

But watch out for left fielder Matt Holliday. He has scored at least one run in his last three games. If a pinch-hit situation arises, Ryan Spilborghs would be a good option. Spilborghs is 5-for-6 with a walk in his last seven pinch-hit appearances for the Rockies.


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Left-hander Sean Henn, picked up off waivers from the Yankees on Friday, will likely be in uniform for Saturday's game against the Rockies. The Padres will need to make a roster move to accommodate Henn, and it will either be reliever Glendon Rusch or Joe Thatcher. ... Adrian Gonzalez saw his nine-game hitting streak come to an end on Friday in the loss to the Rockies. Gonzalez hit .375 with four home runs on the Padres' 2-7 road trip to Philadelphia, Florida and Atlanta. ... Tadahito Iguchi is one of two Major League second basemen who have not committed an error this season in at least 20 games. The other is Tampa Bay's Akinori Iwamura. ... San Diego manager Bud Black said Friday that left-hander Shawn Estes will start Tuesday's game in Chicago. It will be Estes first Major League start since April 2006.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Padres Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/2008.shtml)





3 in a row now by the Rockies!!!

Peavy hasn't beat the Rockies since Sept of 05

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday May 13th 7:40 MT- TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FSN-HD, KPHE 44 | Radio: KTAR 620, KSUN 1400


Chase Field


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 15-23 at Diamond Backs 23-15_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ari.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg_Jeff Francis 0-3 5.27era vs Randy Johnson 2-1 5.06era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/randyjohnson.jpg


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Rockies: Francis has made seven starts this season and this is the longest he's gone without a win to start a season in his career. He had pitched better as of late; however, he admittedly was off his game on Wednesday against St. Louis. He struggled locating pitches and a high pitch count forced him to leave the game after five innings. However, he was able to hold the Cardinals to three runs. Even with his struggles, Francis has been the Rockies best option in the starting rotation this season other than Aaron Cook.


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D-backs: Johnson picked up the win against the Phillies his last time out despite allowing four runs on five hits over six innings. The win was No. 286 for Johnson. The left-hander is still working out the kinks in his command, but he seemed to get a jump in velocity this time around as his fastball touched 94 mph and his slider checked in at 86 with some of its old bite.


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Matt Holliday was given the day off Sunday. ... Greg Reynolds, who made his first big league start Sunday was the third Rockie to make his debut this season, joining Jonathan Herrera and Jayson Nix. ... Reynolds is the sixth-youngest player to make his debut in franchise history. ... Garrett Atkins extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a seventh-inning single on Sunday.


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After a hot spring, infielder Chris Burke has struggled to get going offensively in the regular season. Burke entered Sunday's game with a .137 batting average in 51 at-bats. It is sometimes harder for bench players to work their way out of struggles at the plate because of a lack of playing time. "He's not getting the opportunities, really, to get out of the slump that he's in," Melvin said. "It's not like he hasn't gotten some at-bats, I've given him some opportunities, he's just not quite there yet. Sometimes, all it takes is one game. I think if he does get a couple of good at-bats, gets a couple of hits, I think it could turn around very quickly for him." ... Second baseman Orlando Hudson (strained right hamstring) was out of the lineup Sunday in large part because of the cold, wet conditions. "This is probably as bad of conditions to try and bring somebody back from a hamstring injury," Melvin said.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for D-Backs Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/2008.shtml)




Look for this to be a good game tomorrow for the Rockies. The young hitters of the D Backs are still swinging just as hard but aren't getting near as many good results lately. The D Backs are still the same team that struggled to get runs last year.

[Old Sweater]

Wed May 14th 7:40 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FSN-HD, KPHE 44 | Radio: KTAR 620, KSUN 1400


Chase Field


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies at Diamond Backs_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ari.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/JorgeDeLaRosa.jpg_Jorge De La Rosa 1-1 10.24era vs Micah Owings 4-1 4.33era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/micahowings.jpg


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Rockies: De La Rosa kept the Cardinals off balance on Thursday mixing his slider, fastball and changeup. His command was much better than his first start and he seemed more comfortable on the mound -- a four-run first-inning lead will do that. He held the Cards to two runs in 5 2/3 innings and had five strikeouts to just one walk. The Rockies need De La Rosa to pitch well and stay in the rotation, as they are hurting for starting pitchers.


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D-backs: The Diamondbacks have lost Owings' last three starts after winning his first four and Owings has allowed 15 runs in 17 2/3 innings during those games. Owings did throw a quality start his last time out, lasting seven innings. In starting the season 4-0, Owings threw either 96 or 97 pitches in each of his starts. He has allowed only 36 hits and 14 walks in 43 2/3 innings this year, an efficiency he'll try to sustain against the Rockies. He allowed only two hits and one run in 6 2/3 innings to beat the Rockies April 4 in Denver.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for D-Backs Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Thursday May 15th 7:40 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KTAR 620, KSUN 1400


Chase Field


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 15-25 at D-Backs 25-15_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ari.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg_Aaron Cook 6-1 2.26era vs Brandon Webb 8-0 2.41era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/brandonwebb.jpg


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Rockies: Cook won his sixth straight game on Friday night against the Padres. He allowed one run over seven innings en route to the Rockies' 4-2 win over San Diego. Although Cook wasn't sharp in the first four innings, he got settled and out-dueled NL Cy Young winner Jake Peavy. Cook is one of the most reliable starters for the Rockies right now and only looks to improve. Rockies manager Clint Hurdle feels this is the best he's seen out of Cook. Said Hurdle: "He's staying in a real good place in the game. Obviously, the string is the most impressive and might be as impressive as anybody we had here."


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D-backs: Webb has won all eight of his starts this year, eclipsing Randy Johnson, who won his first seven starts of the 2000 season. Hot starts are nothing new for Webb, who started the 2005 season 6-0 and opened the 2006 campaign with franchise-best 8-0 mark. He tossed a complete game in his last outing against the Phillies, allowing three runs. His outing before that was a little shaky. The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits over six innings in that one. Three of the runs came on a Carlos Delgado homer in the sixth inning. Webb's changeup has become a valuable strikeout pitch when he gets to two strikes. Webb won the NL Cy Young Award in 2006 and finished second in the voting to San Diego's Jake Peavy last year.


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Third baseman Garrett Atkins managed a single on a soft liner in the sixth inning to extend his hit streak to 12 games. he his hitting .383 (18-for-47) during that stretch. ... Todd Helton knocked two hits in his return to the lineup after taking Tuesday night off. ... Hurdle went with Ryan Spilborghs in center field and in the leadoff spot, and he responded with two hits. Spilborghs had two hits Tuesday, when he started in right field. ... The Rockies went 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position in the first two games of this series.


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D-backs manager Bob Melvin brought Brandon Lyon into Tuesday's game with the Rockies despite the fact that it wasn't a save situation, something he was loathe to do with last year's closer Jose Valverde. "He needed to pitch," Melvin said of Lyon, who had pitched just once since April 30. "I think with Jose, he was a little more affected by that." Melvin also brought Chris Snyder in to catch Lyon in the ninth. "That will happen sometimes," he said. "I just think there's familiarity between the two. You don't see Lyon shake him off too many times, I think there's a lot of conviction when Snyds is back there."


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for D-Backs Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/2008.shtml)



This should be a great one with these 2 pitchers

[Old Sweater]

Friday May 16th 7:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FSN | Radio: KSTP-AM/TRN


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 15-26 vs Twins 20-20_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/min.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg_Ubaldo Jimenez 1-3 5.53era vs Nick Blackburn 3-2 3.93era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/nickblackburn-1.jpg


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Rockies: The right-hander didn't allow many hits in his last start, but a three-run homer to Adrian Gonzalez proved to be the back-breaker. Jimenez allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with a career-high 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings to take the loss for his first decision in his last five starts. His lone win came at home against the Braves on April 15 and Jimenez has failed to get past six innings in seven of his eight starts this season.


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Twins: Blackburn earned his third victory of the season in a 9-6 victory over the Red Sox on Sunday. At times the right-hander struggled, but worked through six innings, giving up four earned runs on nine hits. He also struck out five batters, walked one and hit two batters. The Twins rookie showed some grit in working out of two jams that could have led to big innings for Boston. He will look to build on his success as Minnesota opens up Interleague Play against the Rockies on Friday in Colorado.


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Colorado, having given up 26 runs in its last four games, could certainly use a boost from Jimenez. The Rockies lost 8-5 to Arizona on Thursday night, allowing eight runs for the second time in three games against the Diamondbacks.

Colorado posted a 3.94 ERA in interleague play last season, going 10-8.

Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins, who has hit .317 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs in 27 interleague games at Coors Field, is expected to be back in the lineup after getting a break Thursday.

This will be the second series between the Rockies and Twins. Minnesota won two of three at home against Colorado in June 2003.



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Center fielder Carlos Gomez was out of the starting lineup Thursday due to a slight case of the flu. Gardenhire said that Gomez was up all night throwing up, and he didn't think it was fair to have him try to play. The speedy center fielder did come in as a late-inning defensive replacement in the ninth inning. ... After a successful bullpen session Thursday, right-hander Scott Baker (strained right groin) is scheduled to head to Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday to begin a rehab assignment. The pitcher will throw two bullpen sessions and likely make a start in an extended Spring Training game on Thursday. A decision will be made following Baker's outing if he is then ready to come off the 15-day DL.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Twins Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Sat May 17th 6:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850

TV: FSN | Radio: KSTP-AM/TRN


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aani2008rox.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies vs Twins_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/min.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/gregreynolds.jpg_Greg Reynolds 0-1 6.35era vs Livan Hernandez 6-1 3.90era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/livanhernandez.jpg


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Rockies: The 21-year-old right-hander was not in awe of big leaguers in his Major League debut and will likely get another shot. The Rockies have optioned left-hander Mark Redman to Triple-A Colorado Springs to get regular work and are hoping Reynolds can pitch well enough to keep the spot in the rotation. Reynolds allowed four runs on six hits and two walks with a strikeout, but also gave up two homers to take the loss.


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Twins: The Twins knew that they were getting an innings-eater when they signed Hernandez at the start of Spring Training. But he's been even better than expected to start the year. Hernandez picked up his sixth win of the season, holding the Red Sox to just three runs on 10 hits over six innings. He didn't get his sixth win in 2007 until July 24. The Twins are now 8-1 in games that Hernandez starts, giving the team lots of confidence when he's on the mound. He's gotten his fair share of run support too, but he'll have the chance to help his own cause when he faces the Rockies at Coors Field in Interleague Play. Renowned for his bat, Hernandez is a career .232 hitter with nine home runs in 789 at-bats.


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Troy Tulowitzki is making progress in his rehabilitation, sticking with the Rockies and focusing primarily on non-baseball activity at this point. "He's improving every day," head athletic trainer Keith Dugger said Friday. "He's playing light catch. He's doing some light jogging activity, pain-free. He's amping up the strengthening exercises for his leg. He's not doing any agility drills yet. He hit off the tee a few swings, pain free. He's on course." ... Additionally, pitchers Jason Hirsh and Luis Vizcaino both threw in a simulated game at extended Spring Training in Tucson, Ariz., on Friday. Hirsh threw 45 pitches in three innings and Vizcaino threw 25 pitches in two innings, with both emerging pain-free. ... The Rockies have four errors in their past three games, including two on Friday, a missed catch of a pickoff throw by Todd Helton and a fumbled grounder by Garrett Atkins, both contributing to run-scoring rallies. ... Willy Taveras stole his team-high 16th base Friday, swiping third in the eighth inning. He is 6-for-6 stealing third this season, and has 11 consecutive successful steal attempts.


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Carlos Gomez was back in the starting lineup on Friday after coming off the bench in Thursday's game due to the flu. Gomez said he's feeling much better and that the bug lasted less than 24 hours. ... Scott Baker left for Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday to begin his rehab stint. He's expected to throw his first bullpen session on Saturday. Baker still feels a little something in the groin, so the plan is to take the process slow. ... On Thursday, the Twins claimed Minor League shortstop Sergio Santos from the Blue Jays. Santos is a former first round pick of the Diamondbacks in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. The Twins have assigned him to Triple-A Rochester. ... The last Twins pitcher to hit a home run was Jim Kaat, who recorded his last homer on June 11, 1972. The Twins' starter on Saturday, Hernandez, has nine homers in his career.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Twins Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Sunday May 18th 1:05 MT-TV: my20 | Radio: KOA 850
TV: WFTC29, (FSN outstate) | Radio: KSTP-AM/TRN


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 16-27 vs Twins 21-21_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/min.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg_______Jeff Francis 0-4 6.27era vs Kevin Slowey 0-3 5.79era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/kevinslowey.jpg


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Rockies: Francis gave up 13 hits, matching a career high, and eight runs in 4 2/3 innings of a loss at Arizona on Tuesday night. He left insisting he pitched better than his numbers. It was true that a number of the hits were soft, but his difficulties pitching inside against right-handed hitters and the slight location misses with his fastball and changeup were every bit as much a problem. After a good three-start string, Francis has given up 25 hits in 15 innings over his last three starts.


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Twins: Slowey was effective if not efficient in his last start. The right-hander allowed just three runs over his 5 2/3 innings, throwing a total of 107 pitches in that span. The Blue Jays put together some long at-bats against Slowey, raising him pitch count quickly. Home runs also continue to be a problem. He's given up 20 homers over 16 career appearances. For his next start he'll face the Rockies for the first time in his career at Coors Field.


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The crowd of 43,149 at Coors Field included what club officials said was the largest walk-up crowd in stadium history -- 8,456 fans. ... Jeff Baker broke up Livan Hernandez's perfect game in the sixth, and also broke up Dustin McGowan's no-hitter with a ninth-inning single on June 24, 2007. ... For only the second time in franchise history, Rockies hitters didn't draw a walk or record a strikeout. The other time occurred August 22, 1999 against Philadelphia, a 4-0 Rockies victory.


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Joe Mauer was in the lineup again on Saturday with no residual problems from a neck strain that he suffered in batting practice on Friday. The catcher will have the day off on Sunday with Mike Redmond getting the start behind the plate. ... Adam Everett's arm strength is still a big question mark for the Twins. The shortstop made a weak throw from the hole in Friday night's game that didn't even reach the pitcher's mound before its first hop, although it was a play that would not have been made anyway. Gardenhire said that while the strength is still lacking, the shortstop is catching the ball, turning double plays and making the plays up the middle. "Hopefully, as he continues to do his arm exercises, he'll get stronger and we'll see better arm strength," Gardenhire said. "Now it's what it is. All we ask him is to make the plays and he's doing that."... Gardenhire said that the team was trying to give Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier another night off on Saturday if possible. Neither pitcher threw on Friday, but Crain threw on back-to-back days, Wednesday and Thursday, for the first time this season.



Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Twins Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/2008.shtml)



Finally, a Rockies win ending a 6 game skid.

[Old Sweater]

Monday May 19th 6:35 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 17-27 vs Giants 17-28_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jorgedelarosa-1.jpg_Jorge De La Rosa 1-2 9.42era vs Pat Misch 0-0 5.32era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/patmisch.jpg


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Rockies: De La Rosa cruised for three innings in his last start, a loss to the Diamondbacks, but gave up four runs and was gone after 4 2/3 innings. He probably deserved a better fate, but his pitch count rose quickly in the innings in which he experienced trouble. Still, he fanned six and has 15 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings in his three starts since joining the club in a trade with the Royals.


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Giants: Misch allowed Houston three first-inning runs, including two on a Lance Berkman homer, but recovered to blank the Astros over the next five innings on Wednesday. Demonstrating enviable command, Misch walked none and struck out six, He's still looking for his first Major League victory after appearing in 23 games, including seven starts. Misch appeared twice against Colorado last season, posting no record and a 2.08 ERA.


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Clint Barmes' solo homer in the sixth inning on Sunday gave him an 11-game hitting streak, his best of the season. He is hitting .500 (20-for-40) during the streak, and has multiple hits in seven of the 11 games. ... Rockies starters threw quality starts in each of the three games against the Twins, combining to post a 2.32 ERA, allowing five earned runs in 19 1/3 innings. ... Willy Taveras stole second and third after reaching on an error in the eighth inning, giving him 18 steals on the season and four multisteal games. His seven steals of third lead the league.

Sunday's victory in the Rockies' rubber match with the Twins gave the club its first series win since taking two of three games in Houston on April 18-20, and its first winning series at home since sweeping the Braves in the first homestand on April 7-9. The win also pulled the Rockies into third place in the National League West, a half-game ahead of San Francisco.


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Righty Kevin Correia (left intercostal strain) threw a bullpen session before Sunday's game and will report to Arizona for another bullpen or two and then pitch in extended Spring Training. Bochy hopes Correia will be able to rejoin the team in Phoenix on May 27. ... Rich Aurilia's home run on Sunday was his 700th career RBI. He also has 1,112 hits as a Giant, 30 behind seventh-place Jim Davenport's 1,142. ... Right-hander Tyler Walker has allowed 11 runs in his last four innings and opponents are hitting .438 against him over that stretch. ... Shortstop Omar Vizquel played in his 2,596 career game, 2,578 as a shortstop, when he entered Sunday's game as a pinch-hitter and remained to play defense.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Giants Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2008.shtml)



Woo Hoo! 2 game win streak!!!

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday May May 20th 6:35 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies 18-27 vs Giants 17-29_______ http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg_Aaron Cook 6-2 2.82era vs Tim Lincecum 5-1 1.92era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/timlincecum.jpg


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Rockies: Cook had set a record with wins in six straight starts until he was by the Diamondbacks on Thursday night at Chase Field. Cook was in decent shape after four innings, having held the D-backs to one run and given them a fighting chance against Brandon Webb. However, Cook gave up a three-run homer to Chris Snyder during a four-run fifth inning. He gave up five runs and 10 hits in five innings. Cook stopped the Giants on April 29, holding them to two runs and 10 hits in seven innings of a 3-2 victory.


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Giants: Lincecum received a no-decision although he appeared bound for a victory in his most recent start last Thursday against Houston. He struck out 10 in six innings and left with a 7-3 lead. But the bullpen allowed Houston five runs in the final two innings, dooming the Giants to an 8-7 loss. It marked the 10th time in Lincecum's relatively brief career that he had struck out at least 10 in one game. Asked what pitches were working for him, Lincecum replied that sometimes it was his fastball, sometimes his changeup and sometimes his curveball, reflecting the breadth of his skill.


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SS Clint Barmes has an 11-game hitting streak. Barmes is hitting .500 (20-for-40) during that stretch. ... The Rockies entered Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins with just seven home runs in the month of May - the fewest in the National League. Barmes added to the tally with a solo shot in the third, and 1B Todd Helton did the same in the sixth. Colorado went 42 innings between home runs.

The defending NL champion Rockies (18-27) have won three straight, but still have the league’s third-worst record despite featuring largely the same roster that helped the franchise to its first World Series appearance in October.


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Entering a rebuilding season, the Giants (17-29) didn’t have high expectations like the Rockies, but they weren’t expecting their current slump. They’ve lost 12 of their last 15, including six straight for their longest losing streak since they dropped eight in a row from June 13-22.

Lincecum (5-1, 1.92) could be the pitcher to snap the club’s current skid. The right-hander leads the NL in ERA and the majors in strikeouts (63), and is the only San Francisco pitcher with more than two wins.



Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)


Click for Giants Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2008.shtml)




3 in a row Baby!!!!!!!

[Old Sweater]

Wed May 21st 1:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN-BA | Radio: KNBR 680


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/coorsfield.jpg


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aani2008rox.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_______Rockies vs Giants_______http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/giantslogo.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg_Ubaldo Jimenez 1-4 5.29era vs Jonathan Sanchez 2-3 4.59era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jonathansanchez.jpg


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Rockies: Jimenez pitched one of his best efforts of the season on Friday, holding the Twins to two runs on eight hits and a walk over seven innings, his longest stint of the season. He used his two-seam fastball to good effect low in the zone, striking out five and throwing 67 strikes against 27 balls. Jimenez showed an ability to avoid the big innings that had plagued him in earlier starts. He has lost his last three decisions, despite posting back-to-back quality starts and posting a 3.95 ERA over the course of his last two trips to the hill.


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Giants: Sanchez pitched well enough to win in his most recent outing, Friday against the Chicago White Sox. He blanked Chicago on three hits through six innings and had two outs in the seventh before Nick Swisher's broken-bat single prolonged the inning. Up came .136-hitting Alexei Ramirez, who homered for the game's only runs. Ramirez homered on a changeup, the pitch that actually worked well for Sanchez much of the night. Sanchez received no decision April 30 against Colorado at AT&T Park and fell just short of a quality start, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings. He also walked five, which prevented him from pitching deeper into the game.



Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Giants Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/2008.shtml)


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Right-handed reliever Alberto Arias, called up on May 6, had not given up a hit to a left-handed hitter until Fred Lewis launched a key solo shot with one out in the ninth inning on Tuesday night. The Giants scored an additional run off Arias, and had a three-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth. The Giants held on to win, 6-5. ... In an interesting twist, Giants manager Bruce Bochy decided not to face Todd Helton with a man on base and two outs in the ninth inning. He preferred that closer Brian Wilson face Garrett Atkins with two on base in a one-run game. Atkins has a much higher average and seven home runs to Helton's four. Atkins struck out. "Bochy's seen as many swings [of Helton's] as any opposing manager, so he picked his poison and it turned out working their way," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. Bochy was the longtime manager of the Padres before taking over the Giants last year.


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Sanchez ranks among the National League leaders with 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He has no record with a 6.89 ERA in nine career outings, including one start, against Colorado. ... Manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Jose Castillo would return to third base in Wednesday's series finale. Castillo is hitting .364 (20-for-55) with five doubles, three triples, two home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 18 games. ... The traditional lefty-righty percentages don't lie when left-hander Barry Zito is on the mound. Right-handed batters are hitting .349 off Zito, compared to .276 for left-handed batters

[Old Sweater]

Friday May 23rd 7:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: SNY | Radio: WFAN 660, WADO 1280


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_Rockies 18-29 vs Mets 22-23_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/nym.gif



http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/gregreynolds.jpg_G. Reynolds 0-1 3.09era vs O. Perez 4-3 4.25era_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/oliverperez.jpg


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Rockies: Reynolds is off to a good start in his first two big league appearances, showing poise on the mound and promising stuff. He has shown the confidence to throw a hard breaking curve and a changeup in secondary counts, and is commanding a good sinking fastball. The 6'7", 21-year-old was born with a downhill plane, a handy characteristic for a pitcher, particularly in Coors Field.


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Mets: Perez earned his second straight victory, pitching into the eighth inning for the first time in nine starts this season, while beating the Yankees on Sunday. He allowed three hits and two walks, struck out four in 7 2/3 innings and won for the second time in five starts. He has a 2-3 record and 7.24 ERA in six career appearances and 32 1/3 innings at Coors Field. His career record against the Rockies is 5-5.


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The Rockies lost their fourth consecutive extra-inning contest Wednesday. ... The Rockies have struggled in the back of the bullpen, notching only 11 saves in 20 chances for a .550 percentage. ... Colorado has sacrifices in its last six games, two short of the club record. ... Todd Helton reached base safely in six consecutive plate appearances, including all five trips to the plate Tuesday (two walks, two singls, and an intentional walk) and his first-inning walk Wednesday.


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Pedro Martinez, who flew to the Dominican Republic to be with his father who suffered a seizure this week, will have a bullpen session on Sunday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. ... Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning. It was the third time this season the Mets had accomplished the feat. ... Last season against the Rockies, the Mets went 2-4 and posted a 7.67 ERA. Wright went 8-for-22 (.364) with a homer and five RBIs last season, and Beltran batted .167 (4-for-24) with two RBIs in six games against them.


Click
for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)


Click
for Mets Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Sat May 24th 1:55 MT-TV: FOX | Radio: KOA 850
TV: FOX | Radio: WFAN 660, WADO 1280


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_Rockies 19-29 vs Mets 22-24_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/nym.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jefffrancis.jpg_Jeff Francis 1-4 5.87 vs Claudio Vargas 0-2 4.76_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/claudiovargas.jpg


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Rockies: Francis, the Rockies' Opening Day starter, finally earned his first win in his ninth trip to the hill Sunday, holding the Twins to two runs on six hits and two walks (one intentional) in 6 1/3 innings. His command was much improved, and he was especially effective with his offspeed stuff, most notably his changeup, which he was able to give some sink at times, and other times have it cut away from left-handers. He gave up leadoff extra-base hits in four of the seven innings he was on the mound and a one-out triple in another inning, stranding all but one of those runners. He only had one multihit inning, with the Twins only runs coming on a leadoff double and a full-count, two-run homer from Justin Morneau.


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Mets: Mets manager Willie Randolph pulled Claudio Vargas after just 66 pitches on Tuesday in hopes that he could bring the right-hander back on three days' rest to start against the Rockies. Vargas allowed four runs on five hits in five innings against the Braves, taking the loss, his second in as many starts this season. Vargas also lost May 14 against the Nationals, when he was charged with three hits, two runs and four walks in 6 1/3 innings.


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The Rockies have switched their rotation, with right-hander Aaron Cook starting on Sunday afternoon against the Mets and John Maine. Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa will start for the Rockies on Monday on the road against the Phillies. ... Third baseman Garrett Atkins, whose two-run homer off Mets starter Oliver Perez gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead Friday night, has hit .357 during this homestand.


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Carlos Delgado hit his 438th career home run in the sixth Friday night, tying him with Andre Dawson for 35th all-time. ... Luis Castillo has an eight-game hitting streak and is hitting .312 (13-for-41) over his last 12 games. ... Jose Reyes has reached base safely in 23 consecutive games. ... Jose Valentin made his first rehab start for Class A St. Lucie on Friday, playing nine innings at shortstop and going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run, and an RBI.


Click
for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click
for Mets Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Sun May 25th 1:05 MT-TV: my20 | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CW11 | Radio: WFAN 660, WADO 1280


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_Rockies 19-30 vs Mets 23-24_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/nym.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/aaroncook.jpg_Aaron Cook 6-3 3.06 vs John Maine 5-3 3.29_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/johnmaine.jpg



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Rockies: Cook has lost two straight starts after winning a club-record six straight. He grasped for control during the first four innings of his last start, against the Giants, giving up four runs in the first four innings. But after a brief pointer from pitching coach Bob Apodaca to stay compact in his delivery, he pitched three strong innings to last through the seventh. He's trying to take that feeling into his next start.


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Mets: It now appears the standard M.O. for Maine's opponents is to foul off pitches by the dozens in an effort to tire the Mets starter. Maine has thrown 325 pitches in his three most recent starts, covering 18 1/3 innings. His loss to the Braves on Tuesday was his first after four consecutive victories. He needed 99 pitches to achieve 12 outs.


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When Rockies right fielder Matt Holliday tied Friday night's game with a ninth-inning home run and won it with an RBI single in the 13th, he became the second player in the past four seasons to send a game into extra innings with a home run and win it with a hit. The Indians' Ryan Garko was the last player to do it, on July 17, 2007, against the White Sox. ... Left-hander Micah Bowie, on the disabled list since April 22 with a strained inner left forearm, reported feeling fine after a 30-pitch -- all fastballs -- bullpen session on Saturday. The strain occurred in the area where a nerve in the forearm was moved during a Tommy John ligament transfer surgery. Bowie's next session, likely on Tuesday, will include secondary pitches. ... Shortstop Omar Quintanilla's ninth-inning error on Saturday ended his errorless streak at 72 games.


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Nick Evans' three doubles in his big league debut on Saturday marked the first time a player has had three extra-base hits in his first game as a Met since Kazuo Matsui hit two doubles and a homer on April 6, 2004. ... Luis Castillo's eighth-inning double extended his hitting streak to nine games. ... Jose Reyes singled and stole a base to lead off the game, giving him 24 consecutive games in which he reached base safely by hit or by walk.


Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)


Click for Mets Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Mon May 26th 5:05 MT-TV: FSN-HD | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CW 57 | Radio: WPHT 1210, WUBA 1480


Citizens Bank Park


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_Rockies 20-30 vs Phillies 28-24_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phi.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/jorgedelarosa-1.jpg_Jorge De La Rosa 1-2 7.78 vs Jamie Moyer 4-3 4.37_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/philliesjamiemoyer.jpg


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Rockies: De La Rosa's numbers for the season aren't good, and his high pitch counts are preventing him from getting deep into games, but in his last three starts, he won one and pitched well enough to keep the Rockies in the other two. On Monday night, he pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up three runs, two earned, in a no-decision that the Rockies eventually won over the Giants. De La Rosa labored for the first three innings, then corrected himself by slowing down his upper body and pitched well the rest of the time he was in the contest.


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Phillies: Moyer has had a strong May, going 3-1 with a 4.18 ERA in four starts, including the most recent one, which was his best of the season -- no runs in six innings against the Nationals. Moyer also has walked only four batters this month, covering 14 innings.


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Rockies first baseman Todd Helton has reached in 13 of his last 24 plate appearances, but his double in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Mets was his first extra-base hit since his home run on May 18 against the Twins. ... Rockies right fielder Seth Smith is rapidly losing his Little League batting average and heading toward the rest of the Major Leagues. He went 5-for-8 as a pinch-hitter late last season, but no one has a .625 average for long. By going 1-for-6 -- but with a three-run homer on Sunday -- in two starts since his callup from Triple-A Colorado Springs, his career mark is down to .429.


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Manuel decided to give Pat Burrell a rest Thursday, but it lasted only seven innings. Burrell, who was in a 3-for-27 slump before that, has gone 5-for-11 with three home runs and three RBI since then. ... Jimmy Rollins went 7-for-19 (.368) with four doubles in the Astros series.



Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)

Click for Phillies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Tuesday May 27th 5:05 MT-TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN | Radio: WPHT 1210, WUBA 1480


Citizens Bank Park


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/col.gif_Rockies 20-31 at Phillies 29-24_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phi.gif


http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/ubaldojimenez.jpg_Ubaldo Jimenez 1-4 4.61 vs Kyle Kendrick 3-2 5.19_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/phillieskylekendrick.jpg


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Rockies: Jimenez had what may have been the best performance of his career, matching his career high with seven innings and making them all scoreless for the first time. He was extremely efficient, putting his strikeouts on the shelf (only one despite entering the game averaging 8.11 K's per nine innings) in favor of the ground ball, recording 16 of his 21 outs with grounders. He focused on the bottom of the strike zone, getting balls in play rather than the swings and misses that come from his hard breaking ball and slider and his high fastball, and he hit 96 mph in his final inning.


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Phillies: Kendrick pitched five-plus innings, taking a no-decision in his last start on Thursday at Houston. He allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk, striking out two. In his last seven starts, Kendrick is 2-0 with five no-decisions and the Phillies are 6-1 in those starts. He hasn't lost since April 16 vs. Houston. Kendrick is 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA in two career starts against Colorado.


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Omar Quintanilla started at shortstop on Monday and is the third Colorado player to do so this season, joining Troy Tulowitzki (25 starts) and Clint Barmes (20 starts). ... The Rockies are 2-12 against last year's other National League playoff teams, the D-backs, Cubs and Phillies. ... Of Todd Helton's last 30 hits, 25 have been singles.


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Entering Monday's game, the Phillies led the Majors in home runs with 75 and added two more. ... So Taguchi was in the starting lineup Monday for the first time since May 8, when he started in left field. Taguchi started in right field and went 3-for-5 with two doubles. ... Shane Victorino was hit by a pitch twice in Monday's game. He also singled in the fourth inning, giving him an eight-game hitting streak since he was held out of the starting lineup on May 17-18



Click for Rockies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/2008.shtml)


Click for Phillies Stats (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2008.shtml)

[Old Sweater]

Wed May 28th 5:05 MT-TV: FSN | Radio: KOA 850
TV: CSN | Radio: WPHT 1210, WUBA 1480


Citizens Bank Park


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http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/gregreynolds.jpg_Greg Reynolds 0-1 4.08 vs Adam Eaton 0-3 5.37_http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd280/OldSweater/philliesadameaton.jpg


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Rockies: In his last start, Reynolds struck out four Mets his first time through the order and entered the sixth inning having given up just two hits. A double play not turned opened the door for Reynolds to give up back-to-back home runs to Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis, and he wound up with a no-decision in the Rockies' 13-inning victory. However, Reynolds struck out five in six innings, and used his fastball, breaking pitch and changeup as "out" pitches as he continued to demonstrate the talent and poise that made him the second overall pick in 2006.


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Phillies: In his last outing, Eaton went seven innings and allowed three runs on eight hits in a 4-3 loss to the Astros. Manager Charlie Manuel called it the best he'd ever seen Eaton, who has seven no-decisions and three losses in his 10 starts this season. Including the Astros loss, he has had five quality starts with nothing to show for them. Against the Rockies, he's 8-12 with a 6.32 ERA in 25 career games.


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RHP Aaron Cook tossed his seventh career complete game on Sunday - the first for the Rockies since Jeff Francis did it August 28, 2007. Cook is 7-0 when he goes the distance. ... Only two position players used by the Rockies on Sunday were part of the club's opening day lineup - 1B Todd Helton and C Yorvit Torrealba. Three of the game's starters - OF Seth Smith, 3B Ian Stewart and SS Omar Quintanilla - were not even on the major-league roster at the start of the season.


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LHP Cole Hamels recorded his ninth and 10th hits this season, marking a new career high. His previous high was nine hits accomplished in