MIAMI — The context has changed. There is now a sense of urgency to every Rockies move. That’s why Brian Fuentes appeared with a four-run lead in the ninth.
The hourglass has turned over, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle admitted. The calendar is working against the Rockies. They began Friday with an eight-game deficit with 52 games remaining. They need more starting pitching, which is why the Rockies were checking into the availability of Twins pitcher Livan Hernandez, whom Minnesota was released to clear a spot for Francisco Liriano.
On a sweaty, humid Friday night, the influence of a starting pitcher was eloquently explained. After Jorge De La Rosa dissolved before the Rockies’ eyes in the series opener, Ubaldo Jimenez showed that anything is plausible when he’s on the mound: a shutout, a no-hitter, complete dominance.
Jimenez mesmerized the Florida Marlins for seven innings in the Rockies’ 5-2 victory at Dolphin Stadium.
That the Rockies’ grip on playoff dreams is largely due to the work of all-star Aaron Cook and Jimenez. Cook has been steady all season, particularly on the road, where he was won eight games. Jimenez has put together a solid stretch of games recently.
He is 6-1 with a 1.49 ERA in his last seven starts. An argument can be made that he’s been baseball’s best starter since July 1. Only the Mets’ Oliver Perez owns a better ERA (1.38). What makes Jimenez’s run so impressive is the convincing nature in which he has dominated opponents.
The Marlins never had a chance. In fact, until Dan Uggla lined a single to center field in the fifth inning, the Marlins never had a hit. Jimenez toyed with Florida’s free swingers, posting 10 strikeouts, while deftly commanding his sinker, four-seam fastball, curveball and changeup. All four were out pitches at varying times, a criminal surplus for a pitcher who was touching 99 mph on the radar gun.
All the support Jimenez required came in the third when Brad Hawpe delivered a two-run single off Marlins rookie Chris Volstad. The Marlins have scored four runs when Volstad has been on the mound in his four starts.
The Rockies added on in the fifth with a clutch single from catcher Chris Iannetta. Omar Quintanilla finished the scoring with an RBI single, also in the fifth.
The cushion grew in importance after Taylor Buchholz’s sloppy outing. The first batters in the ninth reached against him, including Josh Willingham, who deposited a hanging curveball into left field to erase the shutout.
Fuentes, who enjoyed a perfect July (5-for-5 in save opportunities, 10 scoreless innings), converted his 19th save.
It marked the Rockies ninth win in Jimenez’s last 12 starts. The trick is getting effectiveness throughout the rotation. Jeff Francis will return either Tuesday or Wednesday. He might be pushed back a day to have Cook, Jimenez and Francis available to face the Diamondbacks next weekend in a critical series.
Hernandez represents potential help, even though he has struggled for six weeks. The Rockies also continue monitoring Josh Fogg’s situation as they look for an upgrade over Saturday’s starter Valerio De Los Santos.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
