Closer Brian Fuentes’ timing is impeccable.
The left-hander becomes a high-priced free agent at the end of this season, and it’s fair to say the three-time all-star has never pitched better than he is right now.
In the 10th inning, Fuentes gave up a single, but erased it by striking out three Reds. Since July 3, Fuentes has fanned 35 of the 74 batters he has faced. Since that date, he is 12-for-12 in save opportunities.
“I don’t think about any of that,” he said. “I’m just concentrating on my job. Seriously, the other stuff will take care of itself.”
He’s not the only reliever excelling. Former closer Manuel Corpas struck out the side on 15 pitches in the eighth. Corpas has pitched six consecutive scoreless innings over five games.
“I think we are all really comfortable in our roles now,” Fuentes said. “I think that’s made a difference. I think we’re all in a good place.”
Rockies relievers pitched six scoreless innings Sunday, allowing one hit. Taylor Buchholz pitched the ninth and 10th, lowering his ERA to 1.61. Ryan Speier walked two Reds in the 12th but hung on to get the victory.
Ubaldo’s day.
Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez toiled through six innings. He certainly wasn’t bad, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and striking out six. But as evidenced by his four walks, he still lacks the precision that characterized his terrific July run when he went 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA.
“I thought he was very, very deliberate with his tempo today,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “For me, it was another outing without his best stuff. He battled to keep us in the ballgame. So, there is growth there.”
Jimenez has allowed three runs or fewer in 22 of his 28 starts.
Footnotes.
When Omar Quintanilla ended it in the 12th, the Rockies became the final National League team to win a game with a walk-off homer. It was Colorado’s first walk-off homer since Todd Helton’s memorable blast off Dodgers closer Takashi Saito on Sept. 18 last year. . . . Garrett Atkins extended his home hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the ninth.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
