Rockies 12, Brewers 3: Scoring 4 Runs is Important, But Scoring 12 Runs is Better

The Rockies played an effective game today, starting at a solid pitching performance from Ubaldo Jimenez and ending with a productive offense taking charge against opposing starter Yovani Gallardo. Ugly outfield defense and baserunning didn't harm the team, while similar mistakes for the Brewers caused further difficulty towards their efforts. The Rockies defeat a very good but Coors-phobic Milwaukee Brewers for their 44th in of the 2011 season.

The early innings were a pendulum of offense. After a healthy Ryan Braun and current NL hero Prince Fielder knocked back to back doubles to get the Brewers on the board, leadoff hitter Ryan Spilborghs hit a solo shot in the bottom of the inning. In the second, Gallardo doubled in Yuniesky Betancourt to retake the lead, but Jimenez wasn't about to be showed up, singling in Ty Wigginton for a RBI of his own in the bottom frame.

From there on, it was all Rockies. They took Gallardo to town in the fourth, putting up four runs on five hits in the inning. Another run was scored in the sixth when Mark Ellis doubled in Spilborghs off of Marco Estrada, one of three RBI for Ellis in the game which was second only to Spilborghs' four. In the seventh, the Rockies loaded the bases with nobody out against reliever Zach Braddock. Pinch hitter Cole Garner walked to score Wigginton from third. A double from Spilborghs (his fourth hit of the game) and a groundout from Ellis off of Kameron Loe notched another three runs on the board before the inning ended. Yet another run crossed against former Rockie LaTroy Hawkins, when Garner (having taken over in left field) bounced a ball to Betancourt with the bases loaded, high and slowly enough to the point no play was possible.

In addition to Spilborghs' four hit outing, Wigginton and Ian Stewart had three hits each, with Ellis, Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta had multiple hits. Every player in the starting lineup got at least one hit. The team managed 20 overall.

Jimenez got his fifth win of the year, with two earned runs allowed on six hits and two walks over six innings pitched. He struck out four batters. Matt Belisle and Rex Brothers pitched clean innings of relief. Eric Stults allowed a leadoff home run to Corey Hart in the ninth, but finished off the next three batters to secure the win.

The Rockies play Milwaukee again tomorrow in the second game of this four game series, same time (6:40 Mountain), same place (Offenseville). Juan Nicasio takes on Chris Narveson.

Stuff after the jump.

via FanGraphs

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