GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NL: COLORADO (38-42) at HOUSTON (34-46)

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY BRAD HAWPE SCORED TODD HELTON.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, B HAWPE ON SECOND, G ATKINS ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 0 TOP, 8TH

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: T TULOWITZKI (.281, 1-FOR-2, BB)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Baker hit for J Francis.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, T TULOWITZKI ON FIRST, B HAWPE ON SECOND, G
ATKINS ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 0 TOP, 8TH

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: J Baker (.237, 2 HR, 7 RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 5 8 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 (BOT 8)

CURRENT PITCHERS: COL - JEFF FRANCIS (OUT)
HOU - MATT ALBERS

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H PENCE (.332, 0-FOR-3)
L BERKMAN (.260, 0-FOR-2, BB)
C LEE (.294, 0-FOR-2, BB)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Spilborghs cf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .301
K Matsui 2b 4 2 2 0 0 1 1 .299
M Holliday lf 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 .350
T Helton 1b 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 .313
G Atkins 3b 3 0 1 2 0 1 2 .250
B Hawpe rf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .300
T Tulowitzki ss 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 .281
C Iannetta c 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .211
J Francis p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .111
a-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .234

Totals 30 5 8 5 4 7 14

a-grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop for J Francis in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Holliday (28, J Jennings); K Matsui (10, M Albers); B Hawpe
(18, M Albers). S - J Francis. SF - G Atkins. RBI - M Holliday (62), G Atkins 2
(45), R Spilborghs (19), B Hawpe (55). 2-out RBI - R Spilborghs. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - J Baker 2, K Matsui 1, T Tulowitzki 1, R
Spilborghs 1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Spilborghs (2, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .251
H Pence cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .332
L Berkman 1b 2 0 0 0 1 1 3 .260
C Lee lf 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .294
M Loretta ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .333
M Ensberg 3b 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .210
C Burke rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .223
E Munson c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Jennings p 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .111
a-E Bruntlett ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222

Totals 24 0 3 0 4 4 10

a-grounded to second for J Jennings in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - M Loretta (15, J Francis). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Loretta 1, L Berkman 1, C Burke 1. Team LOB - 7.


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 000 210 02 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 0 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Francis 7 3 0 0 4 4 0 3.56

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 7 5 3 3 2 6 0 3.69
M Albers 1 3 2 2 2 1 0 6.69

WP - J Jennings. IBB - T Tulowitzki (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: J Francis
119-68; J Jennings 107-61; M Albers 26-13. Ground balls-fly balls: J Francis
6-11; J Jennings 6-9; M Albers 2-0. Batters faced: J Francis 28; J Jennings 28;
M Albers 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Jerry Meals. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Bruce
Dreckman.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE
COL: LATROY HAWKINS (0-3, 4.87) STARTING THE 8TH
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H PENCE (.332, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: L Hawkins relieved J Francis.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 0 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: H Pence (.332, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 5 8 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: COL - LATROY HAWKINS
HOU - MATT ALBERS

DUE UP FOR COLORADO: R SPILBORGHS (.301, 1-FOR-4, RBI)
K MATSUI (.299, 2-FOR-4)
M HOLLIDAY (.350, 2-FOR-4, RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (0) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Spilborghs cf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .301
K Matsui 2b 4 2 2 0 0 1 1 .299
M Holliday lf 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 .350
T Helton 1b 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 .313
G Atkins 3b 3 0 1 2 0 1 2 .250
B Hawpe rf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .300
T Tulowitzki ss 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 .281
C Iannetta c 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .211
J Francis p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .111
a-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .234
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 30 5 8 5 4 7 14

a-grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop for J Francis in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Holliday (28, J Jennings); K Matsui (10, M Albers); B Hawpe
(18, M Albers). S - J Francis. SF - G Atkins. RBI - M Holliday (62), G Atkins 2
(45), R Spilborghs (19), B Hawpe (55). 2-out RBI - R Spilborghs. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - J Baker 2, K Matsui 1, T Tulowitzki 1, R
Spilborghs 1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Spilborghs (2, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .251
H Pence cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .330
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 .263
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .293
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .332
M Ensberg 3b 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .210
C Burke rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .223
E Munson c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Jennings p 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .111
a-E Bruntlett ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222

Totals 28 0 4 0 4 4 12

a-grounded to second for J Jennings in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - M Loretta (15, J Francis). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Loretta 1, L Berkman 1, C Burke 1. Team LOB - 8.


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 000 210 02 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Francis 7 3 0 0 4 4 0 3.56
L Hawkins 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.64

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 7 5 3 3 2 6 0 3.69
M Albers 1 3 2 2 2 1 0 6.69

WP - J Jennings. IBB - T Tulowitzki (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: J Francis
119-68; L Hawkins 17-10; J Jennings 107-61; M Albers 26-13. Ground balls-fly
balls: J Francis 6-11; L Hawkins 1-2; J Jennings 6-9; M Albers 2-0. Batters
faced: J Francis 28; L Hawkins 4; J Jennings 28; M Albers 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Jerry Meals. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Bruce
Dreckman.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 5 10 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: COL - LATROY HAWKINS
HOU - MATT ALBERS

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M ENSBERG (.210, 0-FOR-2, BB)
C BURKE (.223, 0-FOR-3)
E MUNSON (.227, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (0) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Spilborghs cf 5 0 2 1 0 1 1 .311
K Matsui 2b 5 2 3 0 0 1 1 .303
M Holliday lf 5 1 2 1 0 0 1 .348
T Helton 1b 3 1 0 0 2 0 1 .312
G Atkins 3b 3 0 1 2 0 1 2 .250
B Hawpe rf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .300
T Tulowitzki ss 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 .281
C Iannetta c 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .211
J Francis p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .111
a-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .234
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 34 5 10 5 4 7 16

a-grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop for J Francis in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Holliday (28, J Jennings); K Matsui (10, M Albers); B Hawpe
(18, M Albers). S - J Francis. SF - G Atkins. RBI - M Holliday (62), G Atkins 2
(45), R Spilborghs (19), B Hawpe (55). 2-out RBI - R Spilborghs. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - T Helton 1, J Baker 2, K Matsui 1, T Tulowitzki 1,
R Spilborghs 1. GIDP - M Holliday. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Spilborghs (2, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .251
H Pence cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .330
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 .263
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .293
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .332
M Ensberg 3b 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .210
C Burke rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .223
E Munson c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
J Jennings p 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .111
a-E Bruntlett ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222

Totals 28 0 4 0 4 4 12

a-grounded to second for J Jennings in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - M Loretta (15, J Francis). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Loretta 1, L Berkman 1, C Burke 1. Team LOB - 8.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Ensberg-C Biggio-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 000 210 020 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 00 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Francis 7 3 0 0 4 4 0 3.56
L Hawkins 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.64

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings 7 5 3 3 2 6 0 3.69
M Albers 2 5 2 2 2 1 0 6.50

WP - J Jennings. IBB - T Tulowitzki (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: J Francis
119-68; L Hawkins 17-10; J Jennings 107-61; M Albers 39-21. Ground balls-fly
balls: J Francis 6-11; L Hawkins 1-2; J Jennings 6-9; M Albers 4-1. Batters
faced: J Francis 28; L Hawkins 4; J Jennings 28; M Albers 12.

UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Jerry Meals. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Bruce
Dreckman.

Weather: INDOORS.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - PITCHING CHANGE
COL: JEREMY AFFELDT (4-1, 2.81) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M ENSBERG (.210, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL AT HOUSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Affeldt relieved L Hawkins.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 0 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR HOUSTON: M Ensberg (.210, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 5 10 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: COL - JEFF FRANCIS, LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), JEREMY AFFELDT (9TH) AND
CHRIS IANNETTA

HOU - JASON JENNINGS, MATT ALBERS (8TH) AND ERIC MUNSON

HOME RUNS: COL - NONE

HOU - NONE</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 5 10 0
HOUSTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: COL - JEFF FRANCIS, LATROY HAWKINS (8TH), JEREMY AFFELDT (9TH) AND
CHRIS IANNETTA

HOU - JASON JENNINGS, MATT ALBERS (8TH) AND ERIC MUNSON


WP - JEFF FRANCIS (8-5)
LP - JASON JENNINGS (1-3)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: COL - NONE

HOU - NONE


TIME: 2:39 ATT: 43,071

PROBABLES: COL - RODRIGO LOPEZ (4-1, 4.09)
HOU - WANDY RODRIGUEZ (4-7, 4.57)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">COLORADO (5) VS HOUSTON (0) - FINAL

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
R Spilborghs cf 5 0 2 1 0 1 1 .311
K Matsui 2b 5 2 3 0 0 1 1 .303
M Holliday lf 5 1 2 1 0 0 1 .348
T Helton 1b 3 1 0 0 2 0 1 .312
G Atkins 3b 3 0 1 2 0 1 2 .250
B Hawpe rf 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 .300
T Tulowitzki ss 2 1 1 0 2 0 2 .281
C Iannetta c 4 0 0 0 0 2 4 .211
J Francis p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .111
a-J Baker ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .234
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Affeldt p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Totals 34 5 10 5 4 7 16

a-grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop for J Francis in the 8th.

BATTING: 2B - M Holliday (28, J Jennings); K Matsui (10, M Albers); B Hawpe
(18, M Albers). S - J Francis. SF - G Atkins. RBI - M Holliday (62), G Atkins 2
(45), R Spilborghs (19), B Hawpe (55). 2-out RBI - R Spilborghs. Runners left
in scoring position, 2 out - T Helton 1, J Baker 2, K Matsui 1, T Tulowitzki 1,
R Spilborghs 1. GIDP - M Holliday. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - R Spilborghs (2, 2nd base off J Jennings/E Munson).


HOUSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
C Biggio 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 0 .251
H Pence cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .330
L Berkman 1b 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 .263
C Lee lf 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .293
M Loretta ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .332
M Ensberg 3b 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 .209
C Burke rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .221
E Munson c 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
J Jennings p 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .111
a-E Bruntlett ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
M Albers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222

Totals 31 0 4 0 4 4 12

a-grounded to second for J Jennings in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - M Loretta (15, J Francis). Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - M Loretta 1, L Berkman 1, C Burke 1. Team LOB - 8.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (M Ensberg-C Biggio-L Berkman).


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 000 210 020 -- 5
HOUSTON - 000 000 000 -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
J Francis (W, 8-5) 7 3 0 0 4 4 0 3.56
L Hawkins 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.64
J Affeldt 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.73

HOUSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
J Jennings (L, 1-3) 7 5 3 3 2 6 0 3.69
M Albers 2 5 2 2 2 1 0 6.50

WP - J Jennings. IBB - T Tulowitzki (by M Albers). Pitches-strikes: J Francis
119-68; L Hawkins 17-10; J Affeldt 10-6; J Jennings 107-61; M Albers 39-21.
Ground balls-fly balls: J Francis 6-11; L Hawkins 1-2; J Affeldt 1-2; J
Jennings 6-9; M Albers 4-1. Batters faced: J Francis 28; L Hawkins 4; J Affeldt
3; J Jennings 28; M Albers 12.

UMPIRES: HP--Gary Darling. 1B--Jerry Meals. 2B--Larry Poncino. 3B--Bruce
Dreckman.

T--2:39. Att--43,071.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
COLORADO 5
HOUSTON 0 FINAL</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COLORADO (5) AT HOUSTON (0) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COLORADO 4TH: K Matsui singled to center. K Matsui to second on wild pitch
by J Jennings. M Holliday doubled to left, K Matsui scored. T Helton flied out
to center, M Holliday to third. G Atkins hit sacrifice fly to center,
M Holliday scored. B Hawpe struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 2, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 5TH: T Tulowitzki singled to left. C Iannetta grounded out to
shortstop, T Tulowitzki to second. J Francis grounded out to first,
T Tulowitzki to third. R Spilborghs reached on infield single to third,
T Tulowitzki scored. R Spilborghs stole second. K Matsui grounded out to first.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 8TH: M Albers relieved J Jennings. K Matsui doubled to center.
M Holliday grounded out to second, K Matsui to third. T Helton walked. G Atkins
singled to left, K Matsui scored, T Helton to second. B Hawpe doubled to left,
T Helton scored, G Atkins to third. T Tulowitzki intentionally walked.
C Iannetta struck out looking. J Baker hit for J Francis. J Baker grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, T Tulowitzki out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at HOUSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COLORADO (5) AT HOUSTON (0) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colorado Starting Lineups -- R Spilborghs CF, K Matsui 2B, M Holliday LF,
T Helton 1B, G Atkins 3B, B Hawpe RF, T Tulowitzki SS, C Iannetta C,
J Francis LHP.

Houston Starting Lineups -- C Biggio 2B, H Pence CF, L Berkman 1B, C Lee LF,
M Loretta SS, M Ensberg 3B, C Burke RF, E Munson C, J Jennings RHP.

Umpires -- Gary Darling (HP), Jerry Meals (1B), Larry Poncino (2B),
Bruce Dreckman (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


COLORADO 1ST: R Spilborghs flied out to center. K Matsui struck out
swinging. M Holliday lined out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 1ST: C Biggio popped out to first. H Pence grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman walked. C Lee walked, L Berkman to second. M Loretta
flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 2ND: T Helton grounded out to shortstop. G Atkins struck out
swinging. B Hawpe flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 2ND: M Ensberg struck out looking. C Burke fouled out to first.
E Munson flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 3RD: T Tulowitzki walked. C Iannetta struck out swinging.
J Francis sacrificed to catcher, T Tulowitzki to second. R Spilborghs struck out
swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 3RD: J Jennings grounded out to second. C Biggio singled to left.
H Pence struck out swinging. L Berkman fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) COLORADO 0, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 4TH: K Matsui singled to center. K Matsui to second on wild pitch
by J Jennings. M Holliday doubled to left, K Matsui scored. T Helton flied out
to center, M Holliday to third. G Atkins hit sacrifice fly to center,
M Holliday scored. B Hawpe struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 2, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 4TH: C Lee flied out to left. M Loretta doubled to left.
M Ensberg flied out to center, M Loretta to third. C Burke flied out to left.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 5TH: T Tulowitzki singled to left. C Iannetta grounded out to
shortstop, T Tulowitzki to second. J Francis grounded out to first,
T Tulowitzki to third. R Spilborghs reached on infield single to third,
T Tulowitzki scored. R Spilborghs stole second. K Matsui grounded out to first.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 5TH: E Munson grounded out to third. J Jennings walked. C Biggio
singled to left, J Jennings to second. H Pence popped out to first. L Berkman
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 6TH: M Holliday singled to left. T Helton walked, M Holliday to
second. G Atkins flied out to left. B Hawpe flied out to right, M Holliday to
third. T Tulowitzki flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3,
HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 6TH: C Lee grounded out to second. M Loretta flied out to right.
M Ensberg walked. C Burke flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 3, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 7TH: C Iannetta popped out to second. J Francis struck out
looking. R Spilborghs grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 3, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 7TH: E Munson grounded out to pitcher. E Bruntlett hit for
J Jennings. E Bruntlett grounded out to second. C Biggio struck out looking.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 8TH: M Albers relieved J Jennings. K Matsui doubled to center.
M Holliday grounded out to second, K Matsui to third. T Helton walked. G Atkins
singled to left, K Matsui scored, T Helton to second. B Hawpe doubled to left,
T Helton scored, G Atkins to third. T Tulowitzki intentionally walked.
C Iannetta struck out looking. J Baker hit for J Francis. J Baker grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, T Tulowitzki out at second. (2 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 8TH: L Hawkins relieved J Francis. H Pence grounded out to
shortstop. L Berkman singled to center. C Lee popped out to second.
M Loretta flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0.

COLORADO 9TH: R Spilborghs singled to center. K Matsui singled to left,
R Spilborghs to second. M Holliday grounded into double play, third to second to
first, K Matsui out at second, R Spilborghs to third. T Helton flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0.

HOUSTON 9TH: J Affeldt relieved L Hawkins. M Ensberg flied out to right.
C Burke flied out to right. E Munson grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0.</div>

 

Francis dazzles as Rockies end eight-game slide

<h3>COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- A Lack of offense certainly wasn't theColorado Rockies problem during their current slide.

Jeff Francis tossed seven scoreless innings and Garrett Atkinsdrove in two runs as the Rockies ended their eight-game skidwith a 5-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Colorado has blown six saves on its nine-game road trip, withcloser Brian Fuentes giving up walk-off homers to Carlos Lee andMark Loretta in the first two games of this series. ButFrancis wasn't having any of that in this one.

Francis (8-5) yielded three hits with four strikeouts and fourwalks on a season-high 119 pitches in rebounding from his lastouting. The lefthander was tagged for eight runs in fiveinnings against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday.

In the fourth inning, Matt Holliday doubled in Kaz Matsui andadvanced to third on Todd Helton's fly out to center beforescoring on Atkins' sacrifice fly off Houston starter JasonJennings (1-3).

Colorado stretched its lead to 3-0 in the fifth when rookie Troy<div class="pre">Tulowitzki singled and scored on Ryan Spilborghs' slow-rolling</div>infield base hit.

The Rockies added another run in the eighth when Matsui hustledhis way to a double and later came around on Atkins' run-scoringsingle. Brad Hawpe's bloop RBI double pushed the lead to 5-0.

Loretta, who doubled in the fourth, was the only Astro to reachthird base through eight innings.

Jennings, who was acquired from Colorado in the offseason,worked seven innings against his former team, giving up threeruns and five hits while striking out six. It was only theninth start of the season for the righthander, who was on thedisabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow for most ofApril and May.



Jennings won his only game of the season on June 19, despitesurrendering five runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings against theAngels.

 

Francis dazzles as Rockies end eight-game slide

<h3>COLORADO 5, HOUSTON 0</h3>HOUSTON (Ticker) -- A Lack of offense certainly wasn't theColorado Rockies problem during their current slide.

Jeff Francis tossed seven scoreless innings and Garrett Atkinsdrove in two runs as the Rockies ended their eight-game skidwith a 5-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

Colorado has blown six saves on its nine-game road trip, withcloser Brian Fuentes giving up walk-off homers to Carlos Lee andMark Loretta in the first two games of this series.

Rockies Clint Hurdle was proud of his team for not getting downduring the losing streak and the walkoff losses.

"We've been swinging the bats the way we're capable of the lastmonth or so," Atkins said. "We know the pitching's going to getback to where they were."

Francis (8-5) wasn't having any of that in this one. Thelefthander yielded three hits with four strikeouts and fourwalks on a season-high 119 pitches in rebounding from his lastouting. The lefthander was tagged for eight runs in fiveinnings against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday.

"We've got a lot of confidence in Jeff," Hurdle said. "He has alot of confidence in himself. He didn't have his best stuff,but he kept making pitches, getting outs when he needed them.""I'm just trying to do my job," Francis said. "My stuff was allright. My command of my fastball wasn't there. Fortunately, Ihad a good curveball going."

Hurdle temporarily removed Fuentes from the closer's role andsaid the job would be done by committee for a while. LaTroyHawkins pitched a scoreless eighth inning Saturday night andlefthander Jeremy Affeldt pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.

It was only Colorado's second shutout of the season, withFrancis pitching seven scoreless frames of a 2-0 victory atArizona May 23.

Houston manager Phil Garner blamed his hitters rather thanpraising Francis.

"I don't think it was terrific pitching," Garner said. "Wecertainly didn't hit the ball. It was an OK game, but I didn'tthink it was shutout quality."

In the fourth inning, Matt Holliday doubled in Kaz Matsui andadvanced to third on Todd Helton's flyout to center beforescoring on Atkins' sacrifice fly off Houston starter JasonJennings (1-3).

"It's been a really difficult road trip for the morale of theteam," Holliday said. "Our pitching was so great for 3-4 weeks,then we hit a little rough spot. But we didn't get down.That's the sign of a team that has a chance to be good."

Colorado stretched its lead to 3-0 in the fifth when rookie TroyTulowitzki singled, moved up to second and third on a pair ofgroundouts before coming around on Ryan Spilborghs' slow rollinginfield base hit.

The Rockies added another run in the eighth when Matsui hustledhis way to a double and later came around on Atkins' run-scoringsingle. Brad Hawpe's bloop RBI double pushed the lead to 5-0.

Loretta, who doubled in the fourth, was the only Astro to reachthird base through eight innings.

Jennings, who was acquired from Colorado in the offseason,worked seven innings against his former team, giving up threeruns and five hits while striking out six. It was only theninth start of the season for the righthander, who was on thedisabled list with tendinitis in his right elbow for most ofApril and May.

"(Jennings) had a pretty solid game," Garner said. "The lastcouple of starts he's looking strong."

"I felt good," Jennings said. "The ball was jumping out of myhand. I felt like I could throw my fastball where I wanted to.This is probably the best I've felt this year."

Jennings won his only game of the season on June 19, despitesurrendering five runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings against LosAngeles Angels of Anaheim.