Ubaldo Jimenez Denied Win No. 20, Rockies Lose, 1-0, In Extra Innings To Cardinals

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) – Matt Holliday’s single combined with Ryan Spilborghs’ error in the bottom of the 11th inning allowed the St. Louis Cardinals to sneak past the Colorado Rockies, 1-0, in the third test of a season-ending four-game series from Busch Stadium.

Franklin Morales (0-4) started the home 11th on the mound for Colorado. Pinch- hitter Pedro Feliz and Colby Rasmus walked to start the frame. Holliday’s base hit to right was mishandled by Spilborghs. Feliz beat the tag at home to give St. Louis its fourth straight win.

Both starting pitchers got no-decisions despite not allowing a run. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez, who was trying for his 20th win, allowed three hits to go with 10 strikeouts and two walks over eight innings. Kyle Lohse gave up three hits while fanning five and walking four over seven frames for St. Louis.

The Rockies, who have dropped seven in a row and 12 of 13, loaded the bases with one out in the 10th. Troy Tulowitzki, though, grounded into a double play.

Colorado stranded a runner on third in the top of the 11th. Jason Motte (4-2) walked Jay Payton with two outs. Payton stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error from Cards catcher Matt Pagnozzi. Chris Iannetta struck out to keep it a tie game.

The Cardinals put men on first and second with two outs in the first inning, but Mark Hamilton struck out.

Colorado put its first two men on base in the second. Tulowitzki walked and Todd Helton singled. However, Seth Smith struck out and Payton grounded into a double play.

St. Louis also failed in the third. Allen Craig walked and Rasmus reached first on Helton’s error to put men on the corners with one out. Holliday struck out prior to Rasmus going to second on a wild pitch then Hamilton grounded out to end the threat.

The Rockies wasted a prime chance in the eighth. Kyle McClellan started the inning on the mound and gave up a single to Dexter Fowler, who went to second on Rasmus’ miscue and third on sacrifice bunt. Tulowitzki was intentionally walked two batters later then Trever Miller came in from the bullpen and got Helton to fly out.

Game Notes

The Rockies and Cardinals have split six games this season…If Colorado (83-78) can win its final game on Sunday, the 2010 Rockies will hold the third most wins in a single season in Rockies history (92 in 2009, 90 in 2007). They are currently tied with the 1996 and 1997 clubs for the third most victories (83-79 in ’96 and ’97).

Jimenez Pulled After Eight Innings

Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a gem, only allowing three hits in eight scoreless innings. The Rockies offense failed to back him up, however, and now he will be unable to reach the landmark of 20 pitching wins in a season.

Jimenez Sets Rockies' Single Season Strikeout Record

By striking out Colby Rasmus to end the 5th inning, Ubaldo Jimenez set the Colorado Rockies’ single season strikeout record, recording his 211th punchout of the season. This breaks the record of 210 previously held by Pedro Astacio.

Jimenez now holds two of the three highest strikeout totals in franchise history, both recorded the past two seasons.

Jimenez Attempts 20th Win Against Cardinals

(Sports Network) - Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez tries again for his 20th win of the season this afternoon in the continuation of a season-ending four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Jimenez has failed twice in his bid for win No. 20 and hopes to end that skid today in his 33rd start of the season. He was beaten on Monday by Los Angeles and tossed seven innings of two-run ball in a 3-1 setback, falling to 19-8 with a 2.99 earned run average.

The hard-throwing right-hander is just 2-6 in his last eight decisions and will try to beat St. Louis for a second time this season. In a 4-2 win back on July 8 at Coors Field, Jimenez limited the Cardinals to a run and three hits in eight innings of work. He is 2-2 in five career starts in this series.

Colorado could use a solid mound showing today since it has dropped six in a row and 11 of the last 12 games, including the first two portions of this series in the Gateway City. After losing 6-1 in Thursday's series opener, the Rockies dropped a 3-0 decision last night. Jorge De La Rosa pitched well enough for the win, but allowed three runs in seven innings for the loss.

"Every game, I expect to do my best," De La Rosa said on the team's website. "I just want to have fun."

Dexter Fowler highlighted the offense with a team-best two hits for the Rockies, who were in contention for a playoff spot a few weeks ago. The Rockies may not have star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez in the lineup tonight because of a swollen hand. He went 0-for-4 last night.

Jake Westbrook pitched well for St. Louis last night and fired 7 2/3 shutout innings of four-hit ball and struck out nine batters. Trever Miller and Ryan Franklin went the rest of the way to preserve the shutout, with Franklin notching his 27th save in the ninth.

Allen Craig had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, winners in three straight and five of their last six games.

Kyle Lohse gets the nod for St. Louis on Saturday and he has dropped three of his last five decisions. He did not figure into the outcome of Monday's 6-4 win over Pittsburgh, as he lasted six innings and permitted four runs and 10 hits to remain at 4-8 this season in 17 starts with a rough 7.09 ERA.

Lohse hasn't pitched well in his career against Colorado as evidenced by his 1-3 ledger and 4.78 ERA in six starts. The righty, who lost to the Rockies last Sept. 27 in Denver, is 2-4 in nine starts at Busch Stadium this season.

Colorado swept a three-game series with St. Louis at Coors Field from July 6-8 this season.