The Colorado Rockies picked up their eighth career victory over the Detroit Tigers at Coors Field on Friday night when the offense unloaded 13 runs on Rick Porcello and his bullpen help. Certainly it was a great showing, but will the Rockies be able to keep their bats hot? History, if it isn't all bunk, tells us that the Rockies have a good chance at finding a second win on Saturday night.
The Rockies will have Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound, as he looks to rebound from a poor outing on June 12 against the Dodgers. Jimenez had started the month with a four-hit, complete game shut of the Dodgers in Los Angeles and then followed that with a seven innings of two-run ball, though the Rockies drooped that game, 2-0, to the Padres. Then against the Dodgers at Coors, Jimenez allowed seven runs (only two earned due to a Ty Wigginton fielding error before a James Loney grand slam). He allowed 11 hits in 5.1 innings. Both of Jimenez's career starts have taken place at Comerica Park, where he has a 5.73 ERA, for what it's worth.
Phil Coke starts for the Tigers, his first career appearance against the Rockies. After two relief appearances to start the season, Coke moved to the rotation and has been OK. He suffered a bruised bone in his ankle on May 23 and spent some time on the DL. On June 13 he threw 6.1 scoreless innings and scattered four hits. He allows fly balls and ground balls roughly the same at 41 percent each and line drives at 17.8 percent. The Rockies might have it out for him on Saturday night.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. MT.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. For more Tigers coverage, visit Bless You Boys and SB Nation Detroit.