Colorado Rockies open four game set in Arizona, Drew Stubbs returns to lineup

The Rockies open a four game series tonight in Phoenix, the final stop of this 10 game road trip.

Chris Rusin will start the game for Colorado against Jeremy Hellickson and the Diamondbacks. In seven starts for the Rockies, Rusin has notched a 3-2 record with a 4.69 ERA. Rusin worked into the seventh inning during his last outing, allowing five runs on ten hits to the Giants. The 28-year old lefty has not faced a Diamondbacks lineup since 2013 while with the Chicago Cubs. No one currently on Arizona’s roster owns a hit off of Rusin.

The Rockies will get their first look of the season at Diamondbacks’ right hander, Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson enters today’s matchup 5-5 with a 5.38 ERA over 15 games for the Snakes. Left handed batters have done damage against the righty this season, batting .329 and working 17 walks. Right handed batters have only a .249 batting average against. 
Hellickson’s velocity won’t blow batters away, averaging in the low 90s on his fastball. The changeup and knuckle curve are Hellickson’s real strikeout pitches, he’s posted a 7.5 SO/9 this season.

Drew Stubbs has returned to the Rockies after a stretch in Triple-A Albuquerque to address some early-season offensive concerns. Stubbs hit .268 over 167 plate appearances for the Isotopes. He also struck out 39 times. Stubbs is available tonight for Colorado off of the bench. To counter Stubbs’ addition, the Rockies have optioned utility man Rafael Ynoa to Triple-A.

Listen to tonight’s game on KOA to catch some history being made. Root Sports’ Jenny Cavnar will be the first woman to broadcast an NL game on the radio.

Tune In!

TV: Root Sports

Radio: KOA

GAMEDAY

First pitch set for 7:40 MT