Rockies Clinch Series Win, Take Fourth Straight: Rockies 7, Cardinals 2

by Jeff Aberle on Jun 7, 2009 4:01 PM MDT in Game Wrap Comment 38 comments

Strong pitching from Ubaldo Jimenez and a great offensive team effort lifted the Rockies over the Cardinals 7-2 for the Rockies' fourth straight win.

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In my preview of this game, I set for the Rockies the goal of winning this game (making it a season-long four game winning streak), clinching the series, and providing delicious cheap tacos for Coloradans for the fourth straight game. After today's 7-2 win over the Cardinals, it is safe to say that Colorado achieved each goal with style and panache. With the victory the Rockies closed within 6.5 games of the wildcard (seriously).

Box Score

Ubaldo Jimenez (4-6) was stellar for the Rockies, going eight strong innings, striking out nine and walking only one while giving up only four hits (and adding one of his own for a total .241 WPA). After giving up hits to the first two St. Louis batters and receiving fantastic defensive support from Carlos Gonzalez on an Albert Pujols deep drive (that still counted as a two-RBI sac fly), Jimenez settled down, retiring 17 in a row at one point. The win was Ubaldo's first in a day game this year. Joel Pineiro (5-6) took the loss for the Cardinals.

However, Jimenez's fine outing was overshadowed by the fantastic game by journeyman catcher Paul Phillips (4-5, HR, 3 RBI, .371 WPA) and the rest of the Rockies' offense. The Rockies pounded out 15 hits (13 of them singles) and did an excellent job of situational hitting to cash in on their opportunities. In addition, both Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler added Web Gems to make it a strong defensive effort for the Rockies.

Rockies vs Cardinals coverage

Final - 6.7.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Colorado Rockies	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	4	0	7	15	1
St. Louis Cardinals	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	0
WP: Ubaldo Jimenez (4 - 6) LP: Joel Pineiro (5 - 6)

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via www.fangraphs.com

Tomorrow, Colorado looks for the completion of the four game road sweep in a rare Monday day game. Afterwards, Rockies fans will celebrate en masse with their fourth straight day of tacos.

Rowbot Roll Call: Today I was joined by walkoff59, Roxfan24, rockies17_4, WolfMarauder, TuLoRocks2008, Teekalong, Poseidon's Fist, djmbluemoon, The Lodo Magic Man (most prolific), wolf213, Mondogarage, El Paso Jeff, ch3cooh1, fantasyfencing, AtkinsandTulofan, Narcoleptico, MohrPlease, FooMan, Jester76, Jabberwocky, JBauer6430, Rockie4Ever, frightenedinmate#2, biondino, RockiesMagicNumber, TulsaDriller, Silverblood, RockiescastScott, ejskater, and GoRoxGo for an 800+ comment conversation. Thanks to all who participated on a dark and stormy Colorado day!

24 - 32

Games Back: 14

Streak: Won 4

Games Left: 106

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Comments

Atkins 0-4 BB
Stewart: 2-5

Hello is anyone paying attention?

by ch3cooh1 on Jun 7, 2009 4:55 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It has been noted

I doubt you will see much of Atkins except for Helton rest days from here on out. Maybe we can package him and Spilly and get something worthwhile in return.

by Roxfan24 on Jun 7, 2009 5:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

If the tomorrow’s lineup, at least from the infield’s perspective, doesn’t consist of Stewart playing 3B, Tulo at SS, Barmes at 2B and Helton at 1B I will be in a tizzy.

by Business Socks on Jun 7, 2009 5:18 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have no fear, Jim Tracy is here!

This is what will really set him apart from Hurdle. Playing the good guys, benching the bad.

by Rockie4Ever on Jun 7, 2009 5:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sort of

He is still batting Atty in the middle of the lineup.

by mkorpal on Jun 7, 2009 5:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Atty is starting to make a comeback.

Hopefully.

by Rockie4Ever on Jun 7, 2009 8:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is?

by mkorpal on Jun 7, 2009 8:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

okay, maybe not a comeback.

but he hasn’t been failing as hard.

by Rockie4Ever on Jun 7, 2009 8:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He hasn't?

I could have sworn he had

by Narcoleptico on Jun 7, 2009 9:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He hasn't been, but it's still not anywhere near good.

Looking at Atkins batspeed and other mechanical habits a week ago, they were much worse than they have been in the past week.

The really awful Outkins, whose average was dropping rapidly, was grounding out to the left side 3-4 times a game, Now, the Outkins whose average is hanging out in the same area, is hitting fly balls, some line drives, and averaging just about a hit a game. It’s a chance, but 0ish hits to 1ish hits is not enough.

by WolfMarauder on Jun 7, 2009 11:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the other hand

Atkins made me look like some kind of clairevoyant on friday night at Busch. Everytime Atkins came up I (boldly) predicted a ground ball to the left side. He kindly obliged me FOUR TIMES. The first one he reached on an E5, one went for a basehit and 2 were ground outs.

He’s awful

by ch3cooh1 on Jun 7, 2009 5:46 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs