Rock Solid Recap: Another Day At The Office

Rockies 6, Nationals 2


Winning Player: Ubaldo Jimenez

The machine just keeps pumping out quality starts and victories for the good guys.

The Nationals did have a handful of good swings on Ubaldo. Ryan Zimmerman was 3-for-3 with an RBI double. Adam Dunn become the first player to homer off Jimenez in 2010 -- and the 29th man to reach the upper deck at Coors Field (highlight). But Ubaldo did what an ace should do -- he shutdown all the guys surrounding their big boppers.

His league best ERA now stands at 1.12.

Losing pitcher LIvan Hernandez saw his league second best ERA fall to 1.46. He's 4-2 and in line for Comeback Player of the Year honors if this continues.

Save: Ian Stewart

I'm awarding a save to Stewart because of his two clutch two out RBI hits. His RBI single in the sixth (highlight) made it 3-2. His RBI in the 8th made it 4-2 (highlight), and that extended the inning so Clint Barmes could deliver the big insurance 2-run single (highlight).

There was shrewd managing involved in the inning as well. Jim Tracy placed Todd Helton in the on-deck circle, which prevented Jim Riggleman from walking Barmes. Excellent work by Tracy today.

Jason Giambi

And I'll acknowledge one more standout in today's game. Jason Giambi not only clocked his first HR of the season (highlight), he also patiently drew a critical walk in that eighth inning and started a big 3-6-1 double play to end a potential rally. His play has been so much better of late both offensively and defensively. Glad the Rockies remained patient.

Now, let's get greedy today and sweep a doubleheader.