Colorado @ San Diego preview
Petco Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2010 ) Colorado 10, San Diego 6
The Colorado Rockies have a chance to make their move in the NL West this week, provided they can keep knocking away at the pitching of the San Diego Padres.
The Rockies will look to clinch a three-game series and move to within four games of the NL West lead when they take on the Padres on Tuesday.
There are four teams within five games of first place in the division, with San Diego leading the pack. Colorado, which made the playoffs last season by virtue of the wild card, has ambitions of postseason success again this season.
The Rockies bashed four homers in the series opener on Monday, getting a two-run blast among three hits and four RBIs from Miguel Olivo. Carlos Gonzalez and Seth Smith each added their 11th homers of the season and Ryan Spilborghs chipped in a two-run shot off Sean Gallagher in the sixth.
Ubaldo Jimenez allowed four runs and walked four in six innings while striking out seven to hang on for his 14th win.
Jimenez has allowed 10 earned runs in his last two starts after surrendering a total of 13 in his first 14 starts. Much of Colorado’s success this season has been due to its ace right-hander, who has been the starter for 15 wins in 16 outings this season. The rest of the Rockies starters have presided over a 25-35 record.
Pitching has been the key to San Diego’s surprising season as well. The Padres lead the National League with a 3.07 team ERA despite Monday’s pounding. That staff has spent the season covering for the team’s offense, which ranks 13th in runs scored.
Should Colorado hope to move past San Diego, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants in the crowded division, the Rockies will need a more consistent effort from a starter other than Jimenez.
Trying to begin that trend on Tuesday will be right-hander Jason Hammel.
The 27-year-old had a string of three straight starts without allowing a run come to an end last time out, when he was knocked around for four runs and seven hits in four innings against the Boston Red Sox. He did not factor in the decision in that start and has not suffered a loss since May 21.
Hammel faced the Padres in his first start this season, allowing four runs and six hits in seven innings without earning a decision. In six career appearances - five starts - against the division rivals, Hammel owns a 5.29 ERA and has allowed 38 hits in 32 1/3 total innings.
San Diego will counter with left-hander Wade LeBlanc. The 25-year-old Louisiana native had his own string of three straight strong starts snapped at Tampa Bay last Thursday, allowing four runs and a season-high 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings to suffer a loss.
LeBlanc took on the Rockies back on May 4, allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings of a no decision.