Running Thoughts: Jimenez vs. Hernandez

Pretty strange start time for getaway day on the east coast.  It worked just perfect for my schedule today, but I'm sure there are plenty of Rockies fans who are annoyed by this.  I doubt many Washington are pissed about it though, because judging from last night's crowd, not many people in Washington are even aware there's a team playing in town.

Brad Hawpe gets another rest this afternoon.  Though it's not Seth Smith taking his spot against the righty Hernandez.  Ryan Spilborghs gets the nod, plays left and hits 6th, moving Gonzalez to right.

Looks like I'm stuck with the Washington feed today.  Oh joy.
1st Inning

• Cristian Guzman starting in right field for Washington.  That could be very good! 
• Livan just flipping all kind of off speed junk up there and only Todd Helton was able to lay off.  A two out walk by Todd is all the Rockies can muster.  
• Willie Harris two out double -- he's 5-for-7 in his career against Ubaldo.  
• Nasty breaking ball finishes off Dunn.  Well pitched first inning in Washington.  

2nd Inning

• Miguel Olivo waits back on a Livan junkball and delivers a solo HR.  All feels right with the world again -- Livan has allowed a run.  
• Broken Bat #1: Ubaldo shatters Ian Desmond's bat into three pieces.  Another clean inning.
• Rockies 1, Nationals 0

3rd Inning

• Three off balance swings and three very easy groundouts for the Rockies offense in the third.  
• Ubaldo turns into his first 1-2-3 inning of the afternoon.  Couple guys on the mound who are polar opposites stuff wise but each has it working so far.  

4th Inning

• Annnnnd another 1-2-3 for Hernandez.  It looks way too easy for him right now.  Way too easy.  
• Willie Harris is a pain.  Draws a walk here with one out.  
• Pudge is the other pain in the ass.  He's 2-for-2 now.  Nats have 1st and 2nd with two down.  
• Ubaldo works through that situation.  A big strikeout of Dunn between the walk and the hit was the key there.  

5th Inning

• Olivo the only guy touching Livan.  2-for-2 now with the single here.  Other than Barmes, Miguel would have been the last guy I'd expect to have success today.  
• Broken Bat #2: Ian Desmond loses his second bat of the day.  
• Three dribblers back to Jimenez.  Livan upped his pitch count with a long AB though.  

6th Inning

• Another yawner inning for the offense.  Ya know, with Ubaldo's pitch count climbing, he's probably only good for 2 more innings.  NEED OFFENSE.
• It's been a well umpired game until right there -- Jimenez ripped on 3-1 pitch to Nyjer Morgan.  Worst guy to walk leading off... maybe in the whole league.    
• Olivo guns down another one.  This is unbelievable.  7-for-9 gunning out runners.  

7th Inning

• Offense.  Now.  
• Tulowitzki fooled by a 64 MPH curveball.  Oh.  My.  
• And there's some offense... finally.  Ian Stewart over the scoreboard in right.  Would like a couple more of those.  
• Spilborghs... umm... doubled off on a popup to short right.  That was kinda dumb... no... really dumb.  
• Adam Kennedy two out double.  Ubaldo sitting on 110 pitches.  
• Jimenez retires Desmond again.  Bat survived though!  
• Rockies 2, Nationals 0

8th Inning

• Rockies go quickly and quietly in the 8th.  
• Ubaldo comes back out in the 8th.  Not sure I like the pitch counts he's throwing up there early.  
• Jimenez gives up a hit and retires Willingham.  Leaves to a respectful hand from Nats fan(s).  Runner at second, one down, Beimel in, top of the Nats order.  
• Joe Beimel, while a little shaky, gets his job done.  

9th Inning

• Need.  More.  Runs.  I'll take two.  
• But we'll just have to settle for zero.
• Here comes Franklin!  
• Morales puts this one in the win column for Colorado with a scoreless 9th.  His 3rd save.
• Ubaldo Jimenez improves to 4-0.  
• Final: Rockies 2, Nationals 0
• Any guesses on the winning player tonight?