It was an apocalyptic scene Wednesday night, brooding clouds and 44 mph winds layering Coors Field in dirt and gloom.
There in the middle of the diamond stood Ubaldo Jimenez, both literally and symbolically trying to regain his balance.
“My leg was shaking in my windup,” Jimenez said. “It was crazy. But it worked out.”
Their season dangling in a strange limbo because of a forgiving division, the Rockies went from condemned to temporarily redeemed in an 8-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.
Any talk of relevance is premature — even with the Arizona Diamondbacks leading the National League West with a losing record. But if nothing else, the Rockies’ first series win in two weeks showed they still have an edge. They were embarrassed Monday, surrendering 15 runs and 22 hits, a debacle punctuated by a shower of boos.
They held the Padres to one run over the past two games, Jimenez helping reclaim some dignity with a dominating performance.
“To have that big of a lead (Monday) and lose it, especially to a team we feel we should beat, you definitely take it personal,” shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. “These two wins were huge.”
This was particularly significant given the issues in the trainer’s room. Ace Jeff Francis landed on the disabled list and first baseman Todd Helton acknowledged that his back is bothering him more than usual, forcing him to sit out the final two innings.
Progress for a team that has spent 26 games in last place is measured not just in victories, but the manner in which they are achieved. The game looked effortless the past two nights because of Jimenez and Aaron Cook. Cook notched his first-ever shutout, cementing his all-star berth and possibly a starting assignment. Jimenez added seamlessly to the script, differing only in his timecard.
He worked just 6 1/3 innings and his game took 2 hours, 18 minutes — 20 minutes longer than Cook’s CliffsNotes effort Tuesday.
“I mean, it’s really hard to accomplish what he did, but I was trying, for sure,” Jimenez said.
In many ways, Jimenez won before he even stepped out of the bullpen. After the latest lengthy conversation with Yorvit Torre-alba, the right-hander committed to throwing his fastball. In all counts. On both sides of the plate. Only a Chase Headley home run prevented a shutout.
“He listened, so I am really happy about that,” said Torrealba, one of three Rockies to homer, extending his hitting streak to eight games. “Even when I called for off-speed pitches, he wanted fastballs.”
With Jimenez holding the Padres in his grip, the Rockies’ lineup showed up and showed off in a manner expected when the team left Tucson. There were more patient at-bats, and the big hit, so often lacking, came in bunches. Garrett Atkins provided the crushing punch, a three-run homer off Randy Wolf that boosted his average against left-handers to .468.
“We all realize that when we play well we have a good team,” Matt Holliday said. “When we lose it’s not because we’re overmatched. Can we still get back into (contention)? Why not?”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
TODAY: Marlins at Rockies, 6:05 p.m., FSN
The last time left-hander Mark Redman (2-3, 7.84 ERA) started for the Rockies, he pitched batting practice for the opposition. In a 6-5 loss to St. Louis on May 6, Redman needed 69 pitches to get through 2 2/3 innings as he allowed five runs and nine hits. Now he’s back filling in for Jeff Francis, who is on the disabled list. Redman seems to have rediscovered command of his fastball and changeup at Triple-A Colorado Springs, going 5-2 with a 4.64 ERA in nine starts. The Marlins will start 6-foot-6 lefty Andrew Miller (5-7, 5.05), who is facing the Rockies for the first time in his career. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
Friday:
Marlins’ Scott Olsen (4-4, 3.47) vs. Rockies’ Greg Reynolds (2-6, 5.75), 6:05 p.m., FSN
Saturday:
Marlins’ Ryan Tucker (2-2, 6.84) vs. Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (2-4, 6.70), 6:05 p.m., FSN
Sunday:
Marlins’ Mark Hendrickson (7-7, 6.12) vs. Rockies’ Aaron Cook (11-5, 3.38), 1:05 p.m., KTVD-20
Monday:
Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez (3-8, 4.50) vs. Brewers’ Seth McClung (5-3, 4.18), 6:05 p.m., FSN
