Running Thoughts: Jimenez vs. Correia

Rockies Lineup

• LF Smith
• CF Fowler
• 1B Helton
• SS Tulowitzki
• RF Gonzalez 
• C  Olivo
• 3B Stewart
• 2B Barmes
• P   Jimenez

Two things of note here.  

1) Eric Young sits for the second straight day, which leads me to believe his leadoff stint is over and he'll end up being the obvious choice back to the minors when Hawpe returns.  

2) The Helton/Gonzalez switch has concluded.  Fine.  I just hope Tracy actually settles on something soon, because I remember how frustrating the constant Clint Hurdle lineup changes became for all involved.

Troy Renck provided a lot of good info on Rockies injuries today on his Twitter feed.  Be sure to check that out and get up to date.

And before we get to the game action in San Diego, I'd like to offer my congratulations to Ubaldo Jimenez for being named NL Pitcher of the Month.  May tonight be the beginning of his run at back-to-back award winning months!

1st Inning

• Not sure what to make of Seth Smith leading off.  Why not just put Fowler there?   
• Helton reaches on an error, Tulowitzki JUST missed on a 2-run HR.  He's about to go on a HR binge. I can feel it.  
• Tony Gwynn Jr.: Your table is ready.  Three pitches and done.  
• Ubaldo Jimenez hits 101 on the San Diego gun.  Then hits David Eckstein on the elbow with an offspeed pitch.  Eckstein very thankful for that.  
• Jimenez blew away Gonzalez and Venable around a Headley single.  Not a perfect start... but I think we'll take it.  

2nd Inning

• Rockies start 1st & 3rd with CarGo and Olivo.  Crooked number I hope.  
• Stewart is struggling.  Terrible AB there.  
• Barmes picks up Stewart with a 2-run double to the LF corner.  Good AB!
• Rockies 2, Padres 0
• Scott Hairston is a Rockies killer.  Leadoff double to the opposite field.  Excellent hitting.  
• Jimenez leaves the Hairston stranded.  1-2-3 after the two-bagger.  

3rd Inning

• I don't like Fowler swinging 2-0.  Easy flyout there.  
• Correia pitches around a Helton single.  He's pitching a decent game so far, but I think the Rox will bust through at some point.  
• Ubaldo overwhelms Gonzalez again.  His first 1-2-3 inning of the night.  He might be just settling in.  

4th Inning

• Correia has really settled in himself.  Maybe I've underestimated him a touch.  
• Also, Rockies can't afford to get comfortable just because Ubaldo is pitching.  Still need quality ABs. 
• Venable visits the famous Tony Gwynn 5.5 hole.   Padres are doing a pretty fair job of going the opposite way.  
• Wouldn't you know it's Yorvit Torrealba that breaks the scoreless streak.  He would know what to expect.  Good AB by him.  
• Jimenez at 70 pitches.  Well over what you'd hope at this point of the game.  
• Correia grounds out on a 1-0 pitch.  Thank you for swinging.  
• Rockies 2, Padres 1

5th Inning

• Correia has the Rockies off balance.  Not seeing anything remotely close to a quality AB.  
• Speaking of QUALITY ABs, Gwynn draws an eight pitch walk.  Padres doing a very solid job of getting the pitch count up.  
• Adrian Gonzalez strikes out for the third time.  That's a pretty nice feat in itself for Ubaldo.
• After an Olivo throwing error, Barmes gets Ubaldo to the dugout by spearing a Chase Headley liner.  

6th Inning

• Rockies bats are officially snoring.  
• Jimenez strikes out the side.  Pitch count around 105.  Stud.  

7th Inning

• Rockies finally get to Correia.  Leadoff walk (Olivo) followed directly by a double (Stewart).
• Correia exits to a WELL deserved hand.  He reminded me of Aaron Cook when he's at his best.  
• Big ABs coming up for the offense.  
• Barmes strikes out.  
• Jimenez hits for himself, singles in Olivo.  Stud.  
• Smith grounds into the inning ending (3-2-5) DP.  At least Ubaldo knows how to take an AB with RISP.  Let's adding hitting coach to his resume.  
• Rockies 3, Padres 1
• That's an inning where the Rockies needed two.  Maximize those chances.  
• Jimenez sets a career high with his 12 K.  Stud.  
• 13 strikeouts.  1-2-3 inning.  

8th Inning

• Here comes the insurance.  CarGo takes a vicious two-run single into center.  Fowler and Helton after Tulo had bunted them over.  
• Rockies 5, Padres 1
• Here's Joe Beimel.  
• Beimel was also dealing.  1-2-3 inning.  Couple more runs couldn't hurt.  

9th Inning

• Joe Beimel is no Ubaldo Jimenez.  Hits for himself.  Well, attempts to hit for himself.  I guess he's staying in there.  
• So Beimel hits for himself, warms up, and THEN Tracy walks out to give him the hook?  Wouldn't allowing a position player with a chance to pop a long ball make more sense there?  Maybe not.  I don't know.  
• To Dick Enberg: O-LIV-O... not Oliva.  
• Tracey tries to get Betancourt a good inning.  Doesn't work.  He's still struggling.  
• Barmes with second Gold Glove defensive gem closes out the ballgame.  
• Ubaldo Jimenez (6-0)  Not bad.  
• Final: Rockies 5, Padres 2