SB Nation Denver - Justin Verlander Denies Rockies Sweep Of Tigers With 9-1 Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2011-06-19T16:24:02-06:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/19929422011-06-19T16:24:02-06:002011-06-19T16:24:02-06:00Tigers Vs. Rockies: Justin Verlander Tames Colorado In 9-1 Detroit Victory
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> were unable to complete the sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> on Sunday afternoon. They ran into the buzz saw that is <span>Justin Verlander</span>, who led the Tigers to a 9-1 victory.</p>
<p>It was a brilliant performance by the Tigers ace. He threw a complete game and allowed one run on four hits. He struck out five. If one wants to see something wrong with his game on Sunday, point to his three strikeouts (but he's a pitcher, after all). <span>Ty Wigginton</span>'s seventh homer of the season was Verlander's only mistake in the game.</p>
<p><span>Troy Tulowitzki</span> picked up two hits and <span>Charlie Blackmon</span> had the other one of the remaining three.</p>
<p><span>Aaron Cook</span> gave up four runs on eight hits in six innings. Two runs scored on two singles, one came on a sac fly and the other came on a <span>Don Kelly</span> triple. The Tigers picked things back up in the seventh inning with <span>Rex Brothers</span> on the mound, thanks in large part on a bobble by <span>Seth Smith</span>. With Don Kelly on first base, <span>Brennan Boesch</span> singled to right field, but Smith let the ball go through his legs. Kelly scored and Boesch wound up on third. Boesch came around to score on a passed ball by catcher <span>Matt Pagnozzi</span>.</p>
<p>Brothers left the game after missed catch and a bit of blood on his non-throwing arm. <span>Clayton Mortensen</span> came in and allowed an Alex Avila RBI single. He allowed two more runs in the top of the ninth when he gave up back-to-back solo homers to Boesch and <span>Miguel Cabrera</span>.</p>
<p>The Rockies (35-36, 19-19 home) visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Cleveland Indians</a> for a three-game set to start the week.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. For more Tigers coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/">Bless You Boys</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Detroit</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/6/19/2232282/rockies-score-2011-justin-verlander-detroit-tigersRuss Oates2011-06-19T09:00:39-06:002011-06-19T09:00:39-06:00Tigers Vs. Rockies: Can Colorado Take On Justin Verlander?
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> look for a sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> on Sunday afternoon. After a 13-6 victory on Friday and a 5-4 win on Saturday, the Rockies will have their work cut out for them with <span>Justin Verlander</span> on the mound for the Tigers. <span>Aaron Cook</span> will counter him.</p>
<p>Verlander will certainly be in contention for the AL Cy Young Award this year. His 2.66 ERA is sixth best in the AL and his 105 strikeouts lead the league. His FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement Level stands at 2.9, fourth best in his league. He's already thrown three complete games and two shutouts, including a no-hitter in Toronto on May 7. This will be his first career start against the Rockies at Coors Field. He picked up a no-decision against the Rockies at Comerica Park in 2008. He allowed two runs on five hits and four walks in 5.2 innings.</p>
<p>Aaron Cook will make his first non-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> start on Sunday and just the third of the season. He pitched 5.2 innings in each game against the Padres and did improve in his second start, that one coming at Coors Field. He held the Padres to two run on five hits and two walks in the second game. Oddly enough, Cook will make his first career start against the Tigers on Sunday.</p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. MT.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. For more Tigers coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/">Bless You Boys</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Detroit</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/6/19/2231262/rockies-schedule-2011-justin-verlander-aaron-cookRuss Oates2011-06-18T21:22:23-06:002011-06-18T21:22:23-06:00Tigers Vs. Rockies: Ubaldo Jimenez Picks Up 2nd Win, Has Calf Cramp
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> picked up their second win against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> with a 5-4 victory on Saturday night, have won four straight and are now back to .500. But it was not without a brief moment of insecurity.</p>
<p>In the sixth inning, <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> gave up back-to-back singles to start things and then he came up with a grimace during an at-bat to <span>Jhonny Peralta</span>. As it turned out, it was a right calf cramp. <span>Matt Lindstrom</span> relieved him and loaded the bases on a Peralta infield single. <span>Ryan Raburn</span> then came up with a two-run double, but <span>Ryan Spilborghs</span> was able to pick up an outfield assist and help get Peralta tagged out at home plate. The score was 4-3 in favor of the Rockies.</p>
<p>In the second inning, Jimenez picked up his first hit of the season when he came up a two-run single while the bases were loaded. <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> added another single right after that to put a third run on the board. A Ty Wigginton RBI double in the fifth scored a fourth run.</p>
<p>In the bottom of the sixth, <span>Chris Nelson</span>, who hit his first career home run on Friday, followed on Saturday with his second, a solo shot.</p>
<p>Jimenez picked up his second win of the season after allowing three runs in five-plus innings. He struck out five. Lindstrom, <span>Matt Reynolds</span>, <span>Matt Belisle</span>, <span>Rafael Betancourt</span> and <span>Huston Street</span> finished out the game. Street picked up his save, despite giving up a run.</p>
<p>The Rockies (35-35-19-18 home) conclude this series on Sunday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. MT. <span>Justin Verlander</span> and <span>Aaron Cook</span> take the mound.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. For more Tigers coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/">Bless You Boys</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Detroit</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/6/18/2231327/rockies-score-ubaldo-jimenez-calf-strain-crampRuss Oates2011-06-18T13:27:55-06:002011-06-18T13:27:55-06:00Tigers Vs. Rockies: Colorado Looks To Continue Dominance Over Detroit
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> picked up their eighth career victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> at Coors Field on Friday night when the offense unloaded 13 runs on <span>Rick Porcello</span> 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.</p>
<p>The Rockies will have <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> on the mound, as he looks to rebound from a poor outing on June 12 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>. 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>. Then against the Dodgers at Coors, Jimenez allowed seven runs (only two earned due to a <span>Ty Wigginton</span> fielding error before a <span>James Loney</span> 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.</p>
<p><span>Phil Coke</span> 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.</p>
<p>First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. MT.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. For more Tigers coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/">Bless You Boys</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Detroit</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/6/18/2230790/rockies-schedule-2011-ubaldo-jimenez-interleague-playRuss Oates2011-06-17T21:28:39-06:002011-06-17T21:28:39-06:00Tigers Vs. Rockies: Colorado Offense Explodes For 13 Runs In Victory Over Detroit
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<p>It was an offensive showcase by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> in the Friday night victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a>. Their 13-6 victory put the Rockies' all-time record against the Tigers at Coors Field at 8-2.</p>
<p>Things didn't start out well for the Rockies, as starter <span>Jason Hammel</span> wound up loading the bases. However, he escaped that situation with only a run crossing home plate on a walk. The Rockies then struck in the bottom of the second for six runs, including an RBI bases-loaded walk by Jason Hammel and a three-run home run by <span>Chris Nelson</span>, the first long ball of his career.</p>
<p>In the third inning, <span>Seth Smith</span> tripled and scored on an error during a <span>Ty Wigginton</span> at-bat. <span>Carlos Gonzalez</span> picked up four RBI, two on a double, one on a sac fly and one on a hole run (10). Hot-hitting rookie <span>Charlie Blackmon</span> went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. His batting average is now .410.</p>
<p>After his first inning troubles, Jason Hammel cruised along until the sixth inning when he allowed two singles and a walk to load the bases. <span>Jhonny Peralta</span> smacked one over the left field wall for a grand slam, cutting the lead at the time to 13-5. <span>Matt Belisle</span> relieved Hammel in the seventh and allowed an inherited runner to score, giving Hammel six runs allowed. <span>Clayton Mortensen</span> pitched the ninth, securing Hammel's fourth win and his first since April 30.</p>
<p>The Rockies (34-35, 18-18 home) continue this series at 6:10 p.m. MT on Saturday. Phil Coke and <span>Ubaldo Jimenez</span> are the scheduled starters.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>. For more Tigers coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com/">Bless You Boys</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Detroit</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/6/17/2230057/rockies-score-charlie-blackmon-jason-hammelRuss Oates2011-06-17T15:26:58-06:002011-06-17T15:26:58-06:00Rockies Call Up C Matt Pagnozzi, Place Jose Morales On 60-Day DL
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<p>On Friday afternoon, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> called up <span>Matt Pagnozzi</span> from Triple-A Colorado Springs,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidetherockies.com/2011/06/17/morales-on-60-day-dl-pagnozzi-promoted-from-colorado-springs/"> reports Inside the Rockies</a>. Backup catcher <span>Jose Morales</span> fractured his thumb during the fifth inning of Wednesday's game when a foul ball struck him during a <span>Rob Johnson</span> at-bat. He played the rest of the game, though it isn't quite like the story of <span>Miguel Olivo</span> passing a kidney stone during a game in 2010.</p>
<p>Pagnozzi signed as a minor league free agent during the offseason, but does have 21 games of Major League experience since 2009. Because Morales was put on the 60-day disabled list, Pagnozzi was able to take his spot on the 40-man roster. He is hitting .275 with a .758 OPS.</p>
<p>Morales has appeared in 22 games for the Rockies, hitting .267/.352/.317 in 71 plate appearances. There have been some rumors lately that the Rockies are looking to move him.</p>
<p>Had spring training star <span>Jordan Pacheco</span> been hitting better than .273/.342/.333 at the Triple-A level, would the Rockies have considered bringing him up?</p>
<p><i>For more on this move and the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/colorado-rockies/2011/6/17/2229579/matt-pagnozzi-rockies-call-up-jose-morales-dlRuss Oates2011-06-17T09:54:36-06:002011-06-17T09:54:36-06:00Tigers Vs. Rockies: Colorado Looks To Continue Interleague Success As Detroit Visits
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<p>After a day off on Thursday, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> and the rest of the Major Leagues (minus the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>) start up interleague play again. For the Rockies, who missed out on the earlier weekend of interleague play, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> come to Coors Field.</p>
<p>The Rockies are 11-7 all-time against the Tigers with a 7-2 record at Coors Field. The most recent series between the teams came in 2008 and 2009. The Rockies were swept in the former, but took two of three in the latter. From 2003-05, the Rockies played four series, three at Coors Field, not once dropping a series.</p>
<p>Entering this series on a two-game win streak, the Rockies will look toward <span>Jason Hammel</span> to keep the team on the path. Hammel fell to 3-6 on June 11 when the Rockies lost to the Dodgers, 11-7. He pitched into the sixth inning, but left after walking two batters. <span>Matt Reynolds</span> allowed both runners to score, putting his final line at 3 runs allowed. <span>Clayton Mortensen</span> and <span>Matt Lindstrom</span> let the game get out of hand by allowing seven runs combined. With the exception of a start or two, Hammel has been able to pitch six or seven innings per game.</p>
<p>The Tigers turn to 22-year-old <span>Rick Porcello</span>, who made one career start against the Rockies in 2009. At Comerica Park, he threw six innings of one-run ball for the victory. After a rough sophomore season in 2010, Porcello has improved this season. He's still allowing around one hit per inning, but he's stranding runners at nearly 79 percent of the time. He brought his 4.92 ERA in 2010 down to 3.61, but his 4.16 FIP is slightly lower than 2010's 4.31. In June he has gone 2-1 in three starts with a 2.75 ERA.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Rockies, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com">Purple Row</a>. For more Tigers coverage, visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blessyouboys.com">Bless You Boys</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://detroit.sbnation.com">SB Nation Detroit</a>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2011/6/17/2336701/tigers-vs-rockies-colorado-looks-to-continue-interleague-success-asRuss Oates