Ubaldo Jimenez and the Colorado Rockies return to Atlanta's Turner Field for the first time since 2010 when the pitcher threw the franchise's first no-hitter on April 17, 2010. It was a Saturday night on which Jimenez didn't have complete control of the strike zone, but the six walks he did issue didn't faze him. He needed 128 pitches to finish the 4-0 no-hit victory.
But, as has been well-documented this season, Jimenez (3-7, 4.35 ERA) has not seen that kind of success so far in 2011. He's had fits and starts of appearing to be like that pitcher. The month of June, though has been his best so far. In six starts, he has a 2.45 ERA and a 1.140 WHIP. He's struck out 39 in 40.1 innings. His best start in June was his first, throwing a complete game shutout against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He struck out seven, allowed four hits and walked zero batters.
Tommy Hanson will oppose Jimenez on the mound. Hanson was a snub for the NL All-Star Team with his 2.62 ERA and nine victories. And he's averaging 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings (two games of 10 strikeouts and one game of 14 strikeouts will help). That's 97 strikeouts in 89.1 innings. Hanson has just one career start against the Rockies, coming in 2009 at Coors Field. He allowed four runs in five innings.
Game time is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. MT. Watch ROOT for all the action.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Check out Talking Chop and SB Nation Atlanta for the Braves.