The Colorado Rockies are in strange territory this season, out of the NL West division lead for the first time since April 6, when they started the day a half a game out of first place. The Rockies built a lead that reached 4.5 games at certain points and as late as May 1, but then no other NL West team was playing quite that well in April.
But the Giants are now on a six-game winning streak and hold a one-game lead over the Rockies, who have dropped four straight series (including a three-game sweep at the hands of the Giants). You name it and it's probably struck the Rockies: injuries (Ty Wigginton, Esmil Rogers), poor pitching (Ubaldo Jimenez among others), lack of hitting with runners in scoring position, Jose Lopez/Ian Stewart third base production hole, etc.
Maybe a weekend series with the sub-.500 San Diego Padres will set up the Rockies for good things when a two-game series with the Giants starts on Monday.
The complete NL West standings: