Rockies Vs. Reds Final Score: Cincinnati Finishes Off Sweep

Despite having won nine straight entering their game against the Colorado Rockies, the Cincinnati Reds seem to be be falling below the radar. After a dominant 7-2 victory, which extended their wining streak to ten, it may be hard to continue to ignore the Reds.

After allowing two runs in the first inning, Mat Latos was completely dominant on the mound for Cincinnati, pitching eight innings to improve his record to 9-3. Josh Rutledge drove in the only runs of the game for Colorado, as his two-run homer in the 1st inning was all the offense the Rockies could generate.

Jonathan Sanchez struggled once again, giving up six earned runs in another loss. Jay Bruce hit his 20th homer of the season, while Drew Stubbs also went deep off of Sanchez.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Juan Nicasio Injury: Rockies SP Hopes To Pitch This Fall

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio won't take the mound again this season, but he still hopes to pitch this fall in the Arizona Instructional League, as Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes. Nicasio has been out of action since injuring his left knee while trying to field a grounder on June 2.

Over the past year or so, Nicasio has battled through some pretty nasty luck. His career nearly looked over after a line drive broke the C-1 vertebrae in his neck during a game in August of last year, but he managed to make a shockingly quick return to the majors this spring.

That return lasted just 11 starts before the knee injury, which actually appeared to be minor at first. Microfracture surgery was eventually required in mid-June, though, and now Nicasio is simply hoping to be fully healthy for the beginning of the 2013 season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Rockies Vs. Reds Lineups: Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez, Tyler Colvin Make Up Colorado Outfield

The Colorado Rockies are looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, and a good portion of their core lineup will be in the lineup. That includes Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez and Tyler Colvin, as well as Michael Cuddyer and Jordan Pacheco.

Reds Vs. Rockies: Colorado Out To Avoid Being Swept By Cincinnati

The Colorado Rockies have yet to be swept during the second half of the season, but they also have yet to win a series. On Sunday, Colorado looks to avoid being swept by the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. The Rockies were shutout, 3-0, on Friday and then lost 9-7 on Saturday, allowing five home runs to the Reds.

The Rockies will need Jonathan Sanchez (0-1, 11.25 ERA) to rebound from his first start with the team. In that game, against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sanchez pitched four innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks in a 6-3 loss. This will be his first start with the Rockies at Coors Field.

Mat Latos (8-3, 4.30 ERA) makes his second start against the Rockies. On May 27, Latos allowed five runs in 7.1 innings, serving up five home runs. Still, he picked up his fourth win in the 7-5 decision. Most recently, Latos threw five innings of two-run ball for his eighth win of the season.

This game will be shown at 1:10 p.m. MT on ROOT Sports and can be heard on 850 KOA.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Reds Vs. Rockies Final Score: Colorado On Wrong End Of 9-7 Slugfest

There was a slugfest at Coors Field on Saturday night, but the Colorado Rockies were, unfortunately, on the wrong end of the 9-7 decision against the Cincinnati Reds. Of the six home runs hit in the game, only one came off the bat of a Rockies hitter (Michael Cuddyer's seventh-inning shot). Colorado did threaten in the bottom of the ninth with men on second and third base and two outs, but pinch-hitter Andrew Brown struck out swinging on a 100 MPH Aroldis Chapman fastball to end the game.

Rockies rookie Christian Friedrich (5-8, 6.17 ERA) entered the game with 11 home runs allowed and exited the game after 4.1 innings with 14 home runs allowed this season. He allowed three of his seven earned runs on solo home runs, one each to Ryan Ludwick, Todd Frazier and Drew Stubbs. He allowed those three home runs over the second and third innings, erasing the Rockies' 3-0 lead that emerged after the first inning.

The Rockies scored three runs in the first inning on a two-run Carlos Gonzalez single and a Todd Helton sacrifice fly. Colorado temporarily took a 4-3 lead on a Michael Cuddyer double play in the fourth inning, but back-to-back RBI singles by the Reds in the top of the fifth inning drove Friedrich from the game. Josh Roenicke came in and allowed a Brandon Phillips two-run double. Roenicke served up a gopher ball to Scott Rolen in the sixth inning and Matt Belisle surrendered Ryan Ludwick's second home run of the game in the eighth. That completed the scoring for the Reds.

Johnny Cueto (13-5, 2.45 ERA) allowed five runs in six innings.

The Rockies (37-62, 20-31 home) will look to avoid yet another sweep when they complete this series at 1:10 p.m. MT. Jonathan Sanchez will face Mat Latos.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Rockies Roster Update: Tommy Field Recalled

With the trade of Marco Scutaro to the San Francisco Giants, the Colorado Rockies had an opening on their roster. According to the official Twitter account of the Colorado Rockies, the team has recalled infielder Tommy Field to fill the opening:

@Rockies: #Rockies recall INF Tommy Field from Triple-A. Field (#36) will be available for tonight's game vs. #Reds.

Field, who was drafted in the 24th round of the 2008 draft, appeared in 16 games for the Rockies last season. In 48 plate appearances, Field recorded a .271 batting average and drove in three runs. He replaces Scutaro, who was hitting .271 this season for the Rockies in 95 games. Prior to the trade, Scutaro drove in 30 runs and hit four homers.

Jhoulys Chacin Injury Update: Pitcher Nearing Return

After compiling 20 wins over the past two seasons, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin has missed three months of the season due to a nerve injury. Chacin had surgery in May on his chest to relieve pressure on a nerve and hasn't pitched since. However, according to the Denver Post, Chacin could be close to a return, as he is set to begin a rehab assignment:

He will begin his minor-league rehab assignment this week with Single-A Modesto. The plan is for Chacin to make one start with Modesto, two with Double-A Tulsa and a final tuneup with Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Rockies want to gradually increase his pitch count to 90.

Reds Vs. Rockies: Colorado Looks For Semblance Of Order After Friday Loss

The Colorado Rockies returned home to Coors Field on Friday night, but it wasn't a warm homecoming, losing to the Cincinnati Reds, 3-0. Shortly after the game ended, the club announced that Marco Scutaro had been traded to the San Francisco Giants for a 23-year-old second baseman, Charlie Culberson. The Rockies are selling off parts as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

On Saturday night, however, the Rockies will look to stem the tide against the Reds. They will have rookie Christian Friedrich (5-7, 5.71 ERA) on the mound for his second career start against the Reds. Friedrich picked up his second career win in a May 25 6-3 game against the Reds at the Great American Ball Park. He allowed three runs in five innings and struck out six. Friedrich has been allowed to go into the 80s with his pitch count over the month of July, but in only one of those starts has he gone past the fifth inning.

Johnny Cueto (12-5, 2.23 ERA) was Friedrich's opponent back on May 25, allowing five runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings. In July, Cueto has pitched against mostly the National League West, picking up victories over the Padres and the Diamondbacks, but losing to the Dodgers. His most recent start came against the Brewers, throwing seven innings of one-run ball. For the month, Cueto is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA.

Game time & date: 6:10 p.m. MT, Saturday, July 28, 2012

Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO

Broadcast Info: ROOT Sports/850 KOA

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Rockies Trade Marco Scutaro To Giants For Charlie Culberson

The Colorado Rockies made a trade on Friday night, sending Marco Scutaro to division rival San Francisco Giants for Charlie Culberson.

Rockies Vs. Reds Final Score: Colorado Loses At Home, 3-0

The Rockies were held scoreless in their return to Coors Field against the red-hot Cincinnati Reds on Friday, as Colorado fell 3-0 in this one. Ryan Ludwick drove in or scored each of the Reds' runs, with the team's opening blows coming in the fourth inning and their last score in the sixth.

Ludwick hit a double to shallow left field to score Brandon Phillips in the fourth, before he was plated by Todd Frazier in that inning. In the sixth, Ludwick scored on a wild pitch.

Colorado was unable to get anything going. While six players recorded hits against the Reds, only Carlos Gonzalez and Jordan Pacheco had multi-hit games. Obviously no one produced an RBI.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Todd Helton Injury Update: Rockies Activate Veteran 1B, Send Edwar Cabrera To Triple-A

The Colorado Rockies announced Friday that the team has activated Todd Helton from the disabled list; Helton is starting at first base in the team's series-opener against Cincinnati. From the Rockies' press release on Helton:

The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has activated Todd Helton from the 15-day disabled list. The Rockies have also optioned left-handed pitcher Edwar Cabrera to Triple-A Colorado Springs. Helton will be in uniform and available for tonight's Rockies vs. Reds at Coors Field (6:40 p.m. MDT).

Related: Know Your Foe #32: Rockies Welcome Votto-less Reds

Helton, who has been bothered by a hip injury, has not appeared in a Rockies game since July 8.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Reds Vs. Rockies Lineups: Todd Helton Gets The Start At 1B

The Colorado Rockies open a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds and Todd Helton is in the lineup for the first time since July 8. The full lineups are listed below.

Colorado:

1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Marco Scutaro (R) 2B
3. Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF
4. Michael Cuddyer (R) RF
5. Todd Helton (L) 1B
6. Wilin Rosario (R) C
7. Jordan Pacheco (R) 3B
8. Josh Rutledge (R) SS
9. Drew Pomeranz (R) P

Related: Know Your Foe #32: Rockies Welcome Votto-less Reds

Cincinnati:

1. Zack Cozart (R) SS
2. Drew Stubbs (R) CF
3. Brandon Phillips (R) 2B
4. Jay Bruce (L) RF
5. Ryan Ludwick (R) LF
6. Scott Rolen (R) 3B
7. Todd Frazier (R) 1B
8. Ryan Hanigan (R) C
9. Bronson Arroyo (R) P

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Reds blog Red Reporter. And for more news from around baseball, check out Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Rockies Vs. Reds: Trade Deadline Looms As Colorado Returns Home

Colorado opens up a home series against the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds.