Here's the final installment of our current Purple Row Prospects (PuRPs) List:

I'd have to go through all the past votes, but Fowler may be the first unanimous #1 prospect. The top 10 is balanced, with five hitters and five pitchers.

It's been far too long since we created our last Purple Row Prospects List (what's up with that, Rox Girl?). Just to review, here's our last one:

Join me after the jump.

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Aaron Cook admitted yesterday to "some tightness in getting loose for his two previous starts," and as a result he will not start Friday night against the Diamondbacks. Instead, Jason Hirsh will make his first and only start of the 2008 season. In three relief appearances, this is what Hirsh has done for the Rockies this season:

Maybe this will be a good way for Hirsh to start his bid early for a spot in the 2009 rotation. The first three spots are already locked up (in no particular order) with Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, and Ubaldo Jimenez. Hirsh, Greg Reynolds, and Franklin Morales [EDIT]and Jorge De La Rosa[/EDIT] are likely to battle for those final two spots with whomever the Rockies bring in to compete. I guess we could also throw in Brandon Hynick and Sean Smith. Of course, we won't have to watch tonight's starter, Livan Hernandez, take part in the competition. We won't have that nightmare haunting us throughout the off season.

As for Cook, his decision to skip his final start is a good one. Sure, we'd like to see him win a 17th game, but he'll have more chances to win 17 games in the seasons ahead.

Clint Hurdle takes responsibility for this season and says it's on him for the team to play better baseball. But for how much longer will it be his responsibility?

Jack Etkin looks at Rai Henninger, who was injured in 2007 during a fireworks display.

The Springs, W 6-5 in 8 innings & L 2-3 in 7 innings: In the first game, Adam Melhuse hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to send the Sky Sox to victory. He also drove in one of the three runs scored in the first inning on a double. Joe Koshansky had an RBI single and Matt Miller had a sac fly to account for the other two runs.

Franklin Morales had a bit of a problem: eight walks. Yes, eight. He also struck out five. In his five innings, Morales saw three runs (one earned) score. Fifty-seven of his 111 pitches went for strikes. Register "blew" the save in the sixth inning when he allowed a run on two hits and a walk. 

In the second game, Edwin Bellorin had a triple and Mark Redman allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Tulsa, W 2-1 in 10 innings: Neil Wilson led off the bottom of the tenth and ended the bottom of the tenth. He did so because he hit the game-winning home run. Brandon Hynick struck out eight in eight innings, surrendering one run on four hits in the process.

Modesto, W 8-4: Interesting scoring by Modesto and Bakersfield. Brandon Durden went 5 2/3 innings, striking out six. He allowed all four runs in the first inning. Except for Mike McKenry's walk in the second, the Nuts were being no-hit. But then came the fifth inning. McKenry led off the inning with a double and scored on a Jason Van Kooten single. Radames Nazario doubled in two more runs, and Daniel Mayora and Victor Ferrante each knocked in one. With five runs scored and two men on Mike McKenry came to the plate for a second time in the fifth and hit his 13th homer. He also commited his ninth error (a missed catch) and picked off an opposing batter at third.

Asheville, W 6-1: Everth Cabrera fell a triple short of the cycle in his 4-for-5 night. One of those hits was a two-run homer. Warren Schaeffer did have a triple and knocked in two with it. Brian Rike drove in the other two runs.

Connor Graham walked four and struck out six on his way to his 10th win. He allowed one run on four hits in six inning. Sheng-An Kuo, Edgmer Escalona, and Ethan Russell Katz combined to allow only one hit over the last three innings of the game. Escalona allowed the hit.

Tri-City, L 6-7 in 11 innings: Leonardo Reyes, Scott Robinson, and Thomas Field all had homers yesterday, but they were not enough to win the game. Field's gave the Dust Devils the lead in the top of the 10th, but the reliever couldn't save the lead. That reliever was Austin Chambliss, and he allowed five of the last six runs Everett scored.

The good news, however, is that Christian Friedrich is dominating. He struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings and allowed an unearned run on three hits and a walk.

Casper. L 5-17: Looks as if the youngest guys know how to follow in the footsteps of their older counterparts. Orlando Sandoval had a two-run homer (3-for-4 in the game( and Jose Gonzalez hit a solo one (two RBI total for the night).

Which pitcher didn't allow a run last night? The final one: Juan Rodriguez. Edwar Cabrera allowed six in 2 1/3 innings; Andres Marrero saw two score in 1 2/3 innings; Matt Baugh gave up five in two innings; and Chad Rose allowed four in 2/3 of an inning.

The Springs, W 8-3: Franklin Morales allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings and struck out five. Kenny Perez drove in three runs, and Mike McCoy and Dog Bernier two. Matt Miller and Chris Frey had three hits.

Tulsa, L 5-6 in 13 innings: Daniel Carte hit his 10th homer in the fourth and drove in one of the three runs scored in the eighth inning. Eduardo Cornejo and Tony Blanco drove in the other runs that inning. Unfortunately, Darren Clarke couldn't hold the 4-1 lead Brandon Hynick left him. Hynick allowed one run on three hits in seven innings. Clarke allowed three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Neils Wilson hit a homer in the top of the 13th, only to see Ryan Mattheus allow the game-winning two-run double.

Modesto: The Cal League had the night off.

Asheville, L 1-2: Mike Mitchell's three singles were part of a five-hit night by the Tourists. He also swiped his 45th base. Connor Graham went seven innings, allowed two runs on four hits and three walks, and struck out three.

Tri-City, L 9-13: Kenny Durst went four innings and gave up five runs, and that was one of the better Tri-City pitching performances last night.  J.R. Murphy allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings and Tyler Trice saw three runs score on five hits in an inning. Carlos Luna struck out four and allowed a run in 2 1/3 innings.

Leonardo Reyes drove in three runs (two on a triple) while Scott Robinson (one RBI) and Ryan Peisel (two RBI) each had three hits. Austin Rauch also drove in a run and scored three times.

Casper, L 2-5: Orem's Roberto Lopez drove in all five runs for his team (four on a grand slam), and Wilin Rosario drove in both runs for Casper. Casper hitters struck out 11 times. Matt Baugh was charged with all those runs in 4 1/3 innings. Brandon Dill struck out three in 2 2/3 innings. Brandon Walker and Kurt Yacko followed with a scoreless inning each.

Colorado Springs, W 5-3 - The Sky Sox scored all five runs in the fifth inning. Cory Sullivan drove one run in on a ground out; Jayson Nix hit a two-run homer (14); Ian Stewart singled and Seth Smith scored on that play after an error; and Edwin Bellorin doubled in Stewart.

Franklin Morales allowed only two runs (on a homer) over 6 2/3 innings, walked four, and struck out four. Ryan Speier allowed the other run on the way to his second save.

Tulsa, W 8-1 - Brandon Hynick went eight innings, allowed one run on five hits, walked two, and struck out one. He also drove in a run. Jeff Kindel went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Daniel Carte drove in two runs, and Dexter Fowler collected two hits and an RBI.

Modesto, W 5-2 - Aneury Rodriguez threw eight shutout innings last night for the Nuts. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out six. David Patton allowed two runs on four hits.

Jay Cox led the offense last night with a double and a homer to drive in two runs. Daniel Mayora and Mike Paulk drove in the other runs. Anthony Jackson stole his 21st base.

Asheville, W 4-3 - Despite allowing two runs in the top of the ninth, Randall Taylor saved his 24th game. Connor Graham started the game, went seven innings, and allowed one run on three hits and four walks. He struck out five.

Darin Holcomb drove in two runs on his 11th homer to reach base for the 30th consecutive game, and Brian Rike drove in a run. Everth Cabrera and Kevin Clark each walked twice, the former scoring once and the latter twice. Cabrera stole his 52nd base. Jeff Cunningham had three hits.

Tri-City, L 5-12 - Juan Nicasio was knocked around for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings, all scored in the third. Five runs of them scored on three consecutive singles. Andy Groves allowed four runs over the next three outs.

Charlie Blackmon had a two-run triple in the fifth and drove in a total of three runs. Johnny Bowden had a double and an RBI. Thomas Field went 2-for-2 with two walks.

I received some photos from someone who attended Wednesday's Tri-City game. You can check them out by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post.

Christian Friedrich should make his debut on Wednesday. It also mentions that Hector Gomez had TJ surgery earlier in the week.

Casper, W 5-2 - Wilin Rosario had two doubles, one of which drove in two runs in the fifth. A run scored earlier that inning on an error. In the top of the ninth, back-to-back wild pitches scored two more runs. James Sims went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two walks. He also stole his second base.

Dan Houston struck out eight  and allowed one run on his way to a three-hit, six-inning performance. Isaiah Froneberger struck out three, as did Kurt Yacko in the bottom of the ninth.

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Colorado Springs, W 5-4 in 12 innings - Tied at three at the end of regulation play, this game went a few more innings. After Salt Lake took a 4-3 lead in the 11th, Joe Koshansky his his 16th homer to tie the game. Jonathan Herrera singled to start the bottom of the 12th and moved to second on a sac bunt by Chris Frey. Dustan Mohr stepped in the box and saw a wild pitch by the pitcher and a throwing error by the catcher score Herrera for the win.

Glendon Rusch allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings and allowed 11 hits. Alberto Arias, Juan Morillo, and Josh Newman combined for a hitless 4 1/3 innings. Morillo, however, did walk a batter. Arias did not let a runner score after Rusch left the game with the bases loaded. Josh Towers picked up the win after pitching the final two innings.

Tulsa, W 3-2 in 10 innings - In the top of the 10th inning, David Parrish reached base on the pitcher's fielding error on a sac bunt attempt, which moved Justin Nelson over to second (who reached on a walk). Eric Young Jr. then reached on the pitcher's throwing error on a force attempt. With the bases loaded, Dexter Fowler entered the box and was hit by a pitch. Nelson scored the winning run. Fowler also had an RBI in the third inning. Eric Young Jr.'s two hits were a double and a homer (5).

Brandon Hynick turned in an outstanding eight innings. He allowed the runs on solo homers. He walked one and struck out four. Ryan Mattheus picked up his 12th save.

Modesto, L 8-9 - Down by two in the seventh, Victor Ferrante's sac fly, Matt Repec's three-run homer, and Jay Cox's solo homer put the Nuts ahead 8-5. Repec had a two-run homer earlier in the game, giving him five RBI on the night.

But the pitching wasn't there late in the game last night. Simon Ferrer allowed three runs (two off a two-run homer) in five innings. Brandon Durden saw two more  runs score in the sixth inning. Andy Graham struck out all three batters he faced in the seventh, but the eighth was his undoing. He began that inning with an out before allowing a double and back-to-back homers. Will Harris came in, recorded the last two outs of the inning, and came back out for the ninth. Jose Vallejo singled after a leadoff out by Marcus Lemon and eventually moved over to third. A Chad Tracy sac fly scored Vallejo.

Asheville, L 2-5 - Sheng-An Kuo allowed only two runs before the start of the bottom of the seventh inning, those coming in the bottom of the first. He only allowed three hits up to that point. So, what happens? A walk, a double, and an RBI single. Matthew Reynolds relieved Kuo, threw a wild pitch to score a run, and then allowed a sac fly. Those three runs broke the 2-2 game.

Kevin Clark hit a two-run homer in the fourth, his eighth of the season. Everth Cabrera had two hits and two stolen bases (47).

Tri-City, W 8-1 - Last night, Parker Frazier certainly showed how much he improved since his time with Casper in 2007. He threw seven innings of shutout ball, allowed only four hits, and struck out three. After a leadoff single in the first, he retired the next 11 batters before allowing consecutive hits in the fourth. The final hit came in teh seventh. Rod Scurry allowed one run in 2/3 IP. Andy Groves struck out three over the last 1 1/3 innings of the game.

Josh Banda drove in two on a double and a sac fly. Charlie Blackmon had a double in the third and scored on a wild pitch. In the fifth inning, half of the Dust Devils runs scored. Leonardo Reyes and Bo Bowman had RBI singles, Banda had his already mentioned sac fly, and Jordan Pacheco scored on a throwing error during a pickoff attempt. Two more runs scored in the ninth when a fielding error allowed Patrick Rose to reach base and Jordan Pacheco and Bo Bowman to score.

Casper, W 3-2 - James Sims led off the game with a triple, but was out at home on the next play when Carlos Martinez hit into a double play. Things got better the next inning when Orlando Sandoval doubled at the start of it. Nick Valdez then tripled him in. Later in the inning, Valdez scored on an Alex Feinberg single. In the sixth inning, Valdez hit a sac fly to score Mike Zuanich.

It was good night for the pitchers. Yull Silano did walk three batters, but he allowed only one run in four innings. Brandon Walker pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowed a run on two hits, and struck out three. Adam Jorgensen picked up the win, striking out five over 2 1/3 innings. Kurt Yacko picked up his first save by striking out two in 1 1/3 innings.

Colorado Springs, W 11-9 - Seth Smith went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Two of the RBI came on two sac flies. Cory Sullivan collected four hits in six at-bats, scored three times, and had two doubles. Kenny Perez hit a two-run triple, and Sean Barker drove in two.

Things went mostly well for Glendon Rusch through the end of the fourth. He allowed a run and some hits, but it was the fifth that hurt him. He allowed two singles to start the inning and then saw both men score on a double. After putting another runner on base, Rusch allowed a two-out three-run home run. He would pitch another 1 2/3 innings, leaving after 6 2/3 IP. Matt Daley finished the seventh before giving way to Micah Bowie in the eighth. He struck out one and allowed one hit. Josh Newman allowed back-to-back doubles in the ninth and then saw a pop up to short turn into a two-run single. Another double scored the third run of the inning. Steven Register recorded the final out for his ninth save.

Tulsa, L 5-9 - Brandon Hynick allowed eight runs on 12 hits in seven innings. Three of those 12 hits went for home runs. Dexter Fowler had a big night, going 4-for-5 with two doubles (18), but drove in no runs. Tony Blanco hit his 10th homer, a solo shot in the eighth.

Last week the Tulsa World's Barry Lewis sat down with Rockies assistant general manager Bill Geivett for a Q&A.

Modesto, L 4-6 - Aaron Cook won this game. No, not our Aaron Cook. The Angels have an Aaron Cook, a reliever. Anyway, Simon Ferrer had another solid start, allowing three runs over six innings on five hits and two walks. Andy Graham came in for the seventh and blew the lead by allowing an RBI single and a two-run double. He also pitched the eighth and saw a double play end the inning.

Travis Becktel and Anthony Jackson had RBI singles in the fifth to put the Nuts within one of Rancho Cucamonga. In the seventh, Mike Paulk's double scored Troy Tulowitzki, and Aaron Cook hit Mike McKenry with the bases loaded, putting the Nuts ahead 4-3. Tulo had three hits, two were doubles.

Brian VanderBeek interviewed Andrew Johnston this week.

Asheville, L 3-5 -  Kevin Clark went 3-for-5 with his seventh homer and two RBI. Darin Holcomb drove in the other run. Mike Mitchell had three hits. Connor Graham allowed three runs over five innings, walked four, and struck out five. Craig Baker allowed two runs while pitching the final two innings of the game, leading to the loss.

The Tourists will at least tie for the first-half division championship if they lose today and Charleston wins, but if the Tourists win today that would be better. As Darin Holbcomb said, “Our mindset (Sunday)? We come out and we kill these guys[.]”

Colorado Springs, L 4-7 - Jayson Nix went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI, and Christian Colonel also had two hits and drove in a run on a double.

John Koronka allowed allowed six runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 IP. The sixth inning was particularly harsh when he allowed a homer to the second batter of the inning, followed by consecutive doubles. Joe Koshansky committed a fielding error on a play that scored a run. Matt Daley replaced Koronka and allowed a triple, scoring the two inherited runners. A wild pitch scored the guy from third. Cedrick Bowers pitched two hitless innings and allowed only a walk.

Tulsa, W 6-3 - Brandon Hynick performed quite well last night. He pitched seven innings, allowed three runs on four hits and a walk, and struck out seven. Seventy-one of his 101 pitches went for strikes. Hynick actually pitched into the eighth, but allowed a leadoff triple and then an RBI double. Darren Clarke relieved and eventually saw the inherited runner score. Ryan Mattheus struck out two in the ninth to record his fifth save.

The RBI were spread out among several players. Matt Miller had two, and Tony Blanco, Jeff Kindel, Daniel Carte, and Corey Wimberly each had one. Miller, Blanco, and Wimberly used the sac fly to drive in half the runs. Tulsa had only two extra-base hits last night: Dexter Fowler's double and Jeff Dragicevich's triple. They both had 2-for-4 nights.

Modesto, L 2-4 - Keith Weiser fell to 3-7 last night after pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks. Will Harris had a clean inning in the eighth.

Daniel Mayora grounded into a force out in the third, scoring Geoff Strickland. The Nuts led 1-0 at that point, but it would be short-lived as Weiser allowed two runs in the bottom of the inning. Mayora hit his 15th double in the eighth inning and later scored on Matt Repec's single. With San Jose scoring two runs the inning before, Repec's RBI brought the game to its final score. Mayora committed two errors (16), a fielding one and a missed catch.

Asheville, W 3-2 - A Darin Holcomb RBI groundout and a Kevin Clark RBI single gave Asheville a 2-0 lead in the fourth, but at the end of the seventh the game was tied at two. In the top of the eighth, Lars Davis led off with a single before Everth Cabrera struck out swinging. Davis was then caught stealing second while Mike Mitchell was at the plate. Mitchell singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jeff Cuningham plated Mitchell on his 13th double. Both Cunningham and Mitchell had three hits last night. Cabrera (34) and Helder Velazquez (4) each stole a base.

John Smoltz made a rehab start for Rome, striking out three and allowing one hit in two innings. Mike Mitchell had the lone hit.

Connor Graham had an odd night. He allowed five hits and walked five batters in six innings, but he saw no runs scored. He struck out four. Ryan Speier came in for the seventh inning and blew the save on an RBI double and a sac fly. He walked two. Craig Baker picked up the win after pitching 1 1/3 innings. Randall Taylor now has 17 saves.

Colorado Springs, L 8- 13 - . . . And the next night, the Sky Sox allowed their opponent to score in seven of nine innings. Albuquerque scored at least one run in each of the first seven innings of the game. Valerio De Los Santos allowed nine of those runs in 4 1/3 IP. Matt Daley finished the fifth and allowed one of the two inherited runners from De Los Santos to score. Juan Morillo allowed three runs in the sixth inning. Victor Zambrano allowed the last run (unearned, it was), went two innings, and struck out three. Josh Newman pitched the last inning for the Sky Sox and struck out one.

It was a night for doubles as Cory Sullivan (3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 SB), Seth Smith (2-for-5, 1 RBI), and Rick Guarno (2-for-5, 1 RBI) each had two doubles. Ian Stewart hit his fifth triple and drove in a run.

Tulsa, W 7-3 - Monday was a good night for both Chris Nelson and Neil Wilson. Nelson started the night with a two-run homer (3) in the first inning (he also had a sac fly in the seventh), and Wilson banged a three-run homer (1) in the seventh inning to make it 7-2 game in favor of the Drillers. Tony Blanco hit his first homer for the Drillers to complete the scoring. It was also a good night for Dexter Fowler. He had a bunt single in the first (and scored on Nelson's homer), and then tripled (4) in the seventh (and scored on Nelson's sac fly).

Brandon Hynick turned in seven solid innings. He allowed two runs on eight hits (one run came off a homer). He walked one and struck out two. Casey Weathers allowed one run on two hits and a walk in the eighth inning. He struck out two.

Modesto, L 0-4 - Victor Ferrante and Cole Garner both had three hits in four at-bats last night. One of Ferrante's hits went for his fifth double.

Simon Ferrer allowed four runs on eights and  four walks in five innings. He also struck out three. Brandon Durden pitched the last three innings and did not allow a base runner.

Asheville, W 3-2 - The sixth inning was the decisive once in last night's contest. In the top half of the inning, Beau Seabury and Everth Cabrera led off the inning with walks. Mike Mitchell put down a sac bunt, but made it to first after catcher Jordan Abruzzo committed a throwing error. Brian Rike and Darin Holcomb got out in the next two ABs. Jeff Cunningham hit a three-run triple to give the Tourists the 3-0 lead. Brian lapin hit a triple in the ninth, but nothing came of it.

In the bottom of the sixth, Cory Riordan allowed a lead off triple, and that guy scored on a double in the next AB. A sac fly scored the second run that inning. That was all Savannah was able to score. Riordan wound up going 7 2/3 innings and allowed those two runs on six hits. He also struck out six. Craig Rodriguez struck out the one batter he faced to end the eighth inning. Randall Taylor picked up his 10th save.