Asked the biggest surprise of the first third of the season, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle didn’t hesitate.
“Ramon Ramirez,” he said. “He only threw a few innings for us in spring training. But if you look at his numbers this season, they’re pretty impressive.” The rookie pitched two scoreless innings Saturday night, allowing one hit and striking out two. He has allowed runs in just one of his first 19 major-league appearances, and his ERA is 1.13.
OFF AND RUNNING: Rockies catcher JD Closser, called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on May 26, threw out the first four baserunners who tried to steal against him. But Saturday at Coors Field, the Marlins were successful on both of their attempts, with Dan Uggla and Alfredo Ame- zaga each stealing second base against Closser. In 92 games last season, Closser threw out only seven of 53 base-stealers (13.2 percent).
MARVELOUS MARLIN: Making just his fourth major- league start, the Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco pitched eight shutout innings for the first scoreless start of his career. He allowed eight hits and struck out seven. He is 4-2 this season, and 2-1 in four career starts with a 2.45 ERA.
Throughout his career, and twice this season, Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings has produced lustrous diamond gems. Jennings’ next step is gaining consistency, something that has escaped him. On May 6, he blanked the Astros with a seven-hit shutout as Colorado won 5-0. In his next start, he gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings of the Rockies’ 12-2 loss to the Astros. It marked the first of three consecutive losses for Jennings. Last week in San Diego, he blanked the Padres with a two-hit, complete-game masterpiece. Today against the visiting Marlins, Jennings (3-5, 4.54 ERA) will try to avoid another pitfall.
The Rockies’ face Florida’s Scott Olsen (3-3, 5.83) for the first time. The lefty is fresh off a terrific performance against San Francisco in which he pitched seven innings, allowing just five hits as the Marlins beat the Giants 5-1.
