video thumbnail

DET@COL: Rockies score six in the second inning

Prior to Friday's game, Detroit manger Jim Leyland spoke of how Coors Field had changed since he managed the Rockies in 1999.

Umm, really?

Humidor or no humidor, nothing could keep the balls the Rockies hit in the park Friday, as they overpowered Detroit for a 13-6 win in the series opener. On Saturday, in the second of a three-game set at 6:10 p.m. MT at Coors Field, the Tigers try to bounce back against Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez (1-7, 4.63 ERA).

Despite Friday's 13-run outburst by the Rockies, Coors Field really is different from Leyland's tenure in Colorado, he said.

"It's changed since I've been here because of the humidor situation. I understand that it's a lot better, and by looking at the ERAs, it's made a difference," Leyland said. "When I was here, it was more of, on a lot of nights, like a slow-pitch softball game. It's a gorgeous place and a gorgeous ballpark."

Taking the mound for the Rockies on Saturday is Jimenez, who is certainly no beer-league softball pitcher. Jimenez has, however, struggled this season. After going winless in the season's first two months, Jimenez finally earned his first victory on June 1 with a complete-game shutout. But, he's been saddled with a loss in each of his past two starts despite giving up only two earned runs in each of those outings.

In Jimenez's last start, on June 12 against the Dodgers, the right-hander allowed seven runs (two earned) on 11 hits, while giving up three home runs. Despite his ugly record, Tracy said Jimenez is having no issues with his psyche.

"It's actually really not even been a subject of conversation," Tracy said. "I know I was asked that question just a little while back. Here lately he's pitched much, much better, evidenced by the fact he's had two complete games, one of which was a complete-game shutout win [at Los Angeles], the other of which was a complete-game loss at Milwaukee.

"The unfortunate thing about his previous start against the Dodgers was we made a mistake [Ty Wigginton's error, which led to five unearned runs]. It's been well-documented. We move on from that."

Opposing Jimenez is Tigers left-hander Phil Coke (1-6, 3.69), who hasn't won since April 14 but is coming off a start in which he tossed 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Rays.

Tigers: Avila at the hot corner
• Alex Avila, who has burst onto the Major League scene as one of the game's best catchers this season, played third base for the first time in his career Friday. It didn't go as smoothly as Leyland and the Tigers would have hoped, as Avila let a ground ball go through his legs in a six-run second inning. Prior to the game, Avila -- who played third and first during his first couple of seasons at the University of Alabama -- said he felt comfortable at the hot corner.

"It's kind of like riding a bike," Avila said. "Once you start doing it, you just kind of remember things that are there, and the biggest thing with any position is just trusting your instincts."

• Detroit's regular third baseman, Brandon Inge, has been on the disabled list since June 2 with mononucleosis. He went 0-for-4 in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Friday.

Rockies: Blackmon at leadoff?
• Charlie Blackmon continued the torrid start to his Major League career with a 4-for-4 performance Friday, and now is hitting .410 in his first 10 games. Prior to Friday's win, Rockies manager Jim Tracy talked about the possibility of the rookie outfielder leading off at some point.

"Am I ready to do it in the next couple days? No," Tracy said. "But do I see Charlie Blackmon as a guy that you can sit and consider taking at-bats in the leadoff spot? Sure you can."

Blackmon also has five stolen bases.

• Rockies right-hander pitcher Esmil Rogers (right lat muscle) was pulled from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Colorado Springs because of a new injury to his midsection.

Worth noting
• Miguel Cabrera is hitting .405 with nine doubles, seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 34 career games against Colorado.

• Jimenez has lost both of his previous starts against the Tigers, going 0-2 with a 5.73 ERA.

MLB.com Comments