Chicago – Jason Jennings pitched seven strong innings, and Preston Wilson and Todd Greene hit solo homers, as the Colorado Rockies snapped a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs today.
Jennings (2-6), who entered with a 7.05 ERA, allowed one run on seven hits. He walked two and struck out two.
After Neifi Perez and Todd Walker led off the Rockies’ eighth with a single and a walk, Jay Witasick relieved Jennings and retired Derrek Lee, Jeromy Burnitz and Aramis Ramirez – the Nos. 3, 4 and 5 hitters – to end the threat.
Wilson added a run-scoring single, and Desi Relaford, filling in at second base for the injured Aaron Miles, went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Clint Barmes also singled in a run as the Rockies posted just their fourth road win in 24 games away from home.
Chicago starter Carlos Zambrano (3-3) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked three. Cliff Bartosh gave up Wilson’s homer in the eighth that gave the Rockies a 4-1 lead. Greene homered in the ninth off Joe Borowski.
Todd Walker’s single in the third scored Michael Barrett, who had doubled, to get the Cubs even at 1.
Zambrano retired eight of the first nine hitters he faced before giving up a two-out run in the third. Barmes walked and scored from first on Relaford’s double.
Colorado took a 3-1 lead in the fifth on RBI singles by Barmes and Wilson.
Notes: The Rockies placed Miles on the 15-day disabled list, with a strain in his ribcage, and recalled INF Eddy Garabito from Triple-A Colorado Springs. Garabito arrived in time for today’s game, but didn’t play. … Colorado bench coach Jamie Quirk served as the manager again in place of Clint Hurdle, who is expected to rejoin the team on Friday after missing six games. Hurdle’s 2-year-old daughter, who was hospitalized due to seizures, was released Wednesday. … Cubs manager Dusty Baker shuffled his lineup in search of offense. Perez led off for the first time this season, with Walker in the second spot. In 44 previous games, Jerry Hairston led off 26 times and Corey Patterson 18 times. Perez went 1-for-4.
