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Mariners-Rockies Preview

Jun 13, 2009 - 6:03 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Seattle (30-30) at Colorado (28-32), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Colorado Rockies haven't been this hot since their improbable late-season run to the playoffs two years ago.

Looking for a 10th straight victory Saturday night, the Rockies won't have to face the ace of the Seattle Mariners' staff in the continuation of this three-game interleague series at Coors Field.

Colorado (29-32) rallied from an early three-run deficit to win 6-4 in Friday's series opener. The Rockies are 11-4 since Jim Tracy replaced the fired Clint Hurdle as manager on May 29.

"I think you can say we're playing very good baseball and doing things that give us an opportunity to get back to .500," Tracy told the Rockies' official Web site. "These kids deserve to be talked about right now."

In the midst of their longest consecutive stretch without a loss since winning a franchise-record 11 in a row from Sept. 16-27, 2007, the Rockies could catch a break by not having to face Seattle's Erik Bedard (5-2, 2.47 ERA) in this contest.

The left-hander, who has won his last three starts, was scratched due to left shoulder inflammation. Bedard could pitch next Friday against Arizona at home.

"This is precautionary," manager Don Wakamatsu told the Mariners' official Web site. "He could probably pitch, but it's safer to push him back. To keep him healthy all year, we felt it's best to push him back one start."

Former closer Brandon Morrow (0-3, 6.38) will make his first start since Sept. 26 after appearing in 16 games out of the bullpen this season for the Mariners (30-31).

The right-hander, who is 2-2 with a 5.79 ERA in five career starts, could be limited to around 60 pitches. He has never faced Colorado.

Clint Barmes had two hits and Troy Tulowitzki hit his eighth homer Friday for the Rockies, who are batting .286 while outscoring opponents 61-24 during the nine-game streak.

Tulowitzki is batting .474 (9 for 19) with three homers and five RBIs during a six-game hitting streak. Barmes is hitting .429 (18 for 42) in his last 10 contests.

Jason Marquis (8-4, 3.98) looks to build off another strong start for Colorado after giving up two runs and six hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 5-2 win over St. Louis on Monday.

The right-hander, who is tied for the NL lead in wins, is 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in his last five starts.

"If he keeps it down where he kept it, he's a tough customer," Tracy said of Marquis, who is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in two starts against the Mariners.

Adrian Beltre hit a two-run double and Russell Branyan added his team-leading 15th homer Friday for Seattle, which had won six of its last eight contests heading into this series.

Branyan has two homers and four RBIs in his last two games. One of his three hits in 13 at-bats versus Marquis is a home run.

Beltre, meanwhile, is batting .418 (23 for 55) with nine RBIs in his last 13 games. He is 4 for 12 with a homer and three RBIs against Marquis.