While he might grow into a middle-of-the-order bat, there’s no denying Carlos Gonzalez is a catalyst. He singled and scored in the first inning and plated a run in the fourth. Gonzalez has an RBI or run scored in nine of his 10 starts. He tied his career-high with four hits.
Classy gesture.
Todd Helton wrote the initials KM on the front of his game cap with a silver Sharpie. It was a tribute to president Keli McGregor, who died Tuesday.
Third and short and . . . first.
Manager Jim Tracy partially rested Ian Stewart on Wednesday — he pinch hit — and gave Helton a day off. Helton was going to get a game off on the road trip and Wednesday made the most sense since he owns today’s starter, Livan Hernandez. Tracy is looking to rest shortstop Troy Tulowitzki soon.
Ubaldo Jimenez (3-0, 1.29) begins the first day of the rest of his career. From this point, he will try to become only the 24th pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters. He threw the Rockies’ first no-hitter last Saturday, averaging 97 mph on his 69 fastballs. The biggest threat to get the first hit? That’s Willie Harris, who is 4-for-6 against the right-hander. Livan Hernandez (2-0, 0.00) is the butterfly to Jimenez’s iron fist. The former Rockie will look to prey on the hitters’ impatience, throwing slow, slower and slowest. Todd Helton is 33-for-69 against Hernandez with 16 RBIs.
