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Marlins-Rockies Preview

Apr 25, 2010 - 5:56 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Florida (9-7) at Colorado (8-8), 5:05 p.m. EDT

The Colorado Rockies haven't been very consistent recently.

Troy Tulowitzki has been an exception.

After splitting a double-header, the hot-hitting Tulowitzki and the Rockies conclude a three-game home set with the Florida Marlins on Sunday.

Since winning three straight April 11-14, Colorado (9-9) has gone 4-6 and failed to win consecutive games. When the Rockies and Marlins (10-8) played a double-header Saturday due to a Friday rainout, the inconsistency continued. Florida won the opener 10-1 and Colorado prevailed 8-1 in the nightcap.

Although the Rockies couldn't get a consistent effort from their offense, which recorded seven hits in the opener - all singles - and then saw five of its 11 hits go for extra bases in the second game, Tulowitzki was a force in both contests. He had two hits in each, scored a run in the first and drove in two in the second.

Tulowitzki is hitting .366 in his last 10 games overall, and .400 with seven RBIs in his last eight games against the Marlins.

A victory Sunday would give Colorado its first series win after dropping the first game.

"After losing the first one, it was important to come back and get us in the win column," said Colorado sinkerballer Aaron Cook, who pitched a complete game in Saturday's victory, giving up five hits and striking out four. "Now we have a chance to go out there and win the series."

The Rockies are also seeking to avoid their first series loss of the season at Coors Field, where they are averaging 5.1 runs.

"You have to be real careful in this ballpark," said Florida's Ricky Nolasco, who struck out nine in eight innings in the Marlins' victory Saturday. "You can't have them leaning over the plate because that's when they'll hurt you. So I pitched inside a little bit more."

Chris Volstad (1-1, 3.79 ERA) will try to replicate Nolasco's success and produce his fourth straight quality start to open the season. He gave up three runs in six innings Tuesday at Houston, but wound up without a decision in a 7-5 loss.

The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA in four appearances against the Rockies, including three starts.

The Rockies will hand the ball to Jorge De La Rosa (2-1, 4.00), who recorded a win Wednesday despite giving up four runs, seven hits and four walks in five innings. Colorado gave him plenty of support en route to a 10-4 win over Washington.

The left-hander is 2-4 with a 7.03 ERA in seven appearances - six starts - against the Marlins.

Florida first baseman Jorge Cantu is 3 for 7 with a home run off De La Rosa, but had his 21-game hitting streak snapped when he went 0 for 4 in Saturday's nightcap.