Told that he should get consideration for National League pitcher of the month, Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez flashed his killer smile and said, “I have to say thank you to July.”
Actually, it’s the Rockies who should be saying thanks to Jimenez. He went 5-1 this month with a 1.74 ERA, becoming the first Rockies pitcher ever to win five games in July.
Jimenez didn’t shine Sunday as he did Tuesday, when he threw a complete-game, four- hit gem in the Rockies’ 10-1 victory over the Dodgers. But that’s nit-picking. He still threw six innings of shutout ball against the Reds.
“My fastball command wasn’t as good as the other games, but my breaking ball was really good,” said Jimenez (7-9, 3.80 ERA), after the Rockies won for the eighth time in his last 11 starts.
If manager Clint Hurdle wasn’t wowed by Jimenez’s stuff Sunday, he was impressed by his continued maturation, noting that earlier this season Jimenez couldn’t have survived without his best pitches.
“There’s no telling where this thing would have gone,” Hurdle said.
Since the all-star break, Colorado’s starting pitching has been lights out — 9-1 with a 3.02 ERA.
Francis’ return.
An encouraging rehab start by lefty Jeff Francis on Saturday night could mean he will return to the big-league club this week, without needing to pitch a third game with Double-A Tulsa. Francis, on the disabled list since July 3 with left shoulder inflammation, struck out eight and threw 78 pitches (50 strikes) in 4 2/3 innings against Arkansas on Saturday.
“He was able to throw all his pitches without any discomfort,” Hurdle said. “He got stronger as the game went on. His fastball location was good. The changeup was a big pitch for him — very good command of his changeup.”
In a Fogg.
Reds starter Josh Fogg was one of the most popular players in the Rockies’ clubhouse in 2006-07. But that didn’t stop Colorado from knocking him around for seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings.
” ‘Fogger’ is obviously one of the best teammates we had last year and obviously a good friend,” said Jeff Baker, who clubbed a two-run homer in the fourth. “You want to see him do well, but not against you and not against your team.”
