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Rockies-Diamondbacks Preview

Jun 6, 2010 - 5:25 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Colorado (28-26) at Arizona (21-34), 4:10 p.m. EDT

Ubaldo Jimenez's stellar pitching is perhaps the main reason that the Colorado Rockies have been able to limit their longest losing streak of the season to three games.

Following yet another gem, Jimenez looks to help the Rockies avoid losing four straight as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game set Sunday.

After a 4-3 loss to last-place Arizona (22-34) on Saturday night, Colorado (28-27) has every reason to feel confident about its chances of bouncing back.

Jimenez (10-1, 0.78 ERA) continues to live up to all of the positive attention he has been receiving, leading the majors in wins and ERA. He's coming off another outstanding performance, tossing a four-hitter and outpitching two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum to lead Colorado past San Francisco 4-0 on Monday.

Jimenez struck out nine, lowered his ERA from 0.88 and extended his career-best scoreless innings streak to 26. He is the 15th pitcher since 1952 to win 10 or more games by June 1.

The right-hander, who pitched the first no-hitter in Rockies history at Atlanta on April 17, is making an early push for the franchise's first Cy Young Award.

"It's 10-1, that's a tremendous start," manager Jim Tracy said. "And we know we're a couple of base hits away from 11-0. He has not pitched a bad game and he has the mental focus that he's not interested in pitching a bad game. He may not."

Jimenez is 2-0 with a 1.30 ERA in four career starts at Arizona, striking out 32 in 27 2-3 innings.

The Diamondbacks will counter with Rodrigo Lopez (2-3, 4.31). The right-hander allowed four runs - two earned - in eight innings of a 5-4 loss to Los Angeles on Monday night.

Lopez faced Jimenez in his only start against the Rockies, giving up four runs and walking four in six innings of a 7-3 loss May 26. Jimenez pitched eight scoreless innings.

Though its chances seem slim against Jimenez, Arizona does have some momentum going. The Diamondbacks have won five of seven at home and two in a row overall after losing their previous 10. They've scored 11 runs over their last two games after being shut out in each of their previous two.

Still, Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds continue to have trouble making contact at times. Upton struck out three times Saturday to increase his major league-leading total to 76, two more than Reynolds.

Upton and Reynolds have combined to strike out 18 times in 43 at-bats versus Jimenez. Upton is hitless in 15 at-bats against Jimenez, and Reynolds is 6 for 28 (.214).

Struggling Rockies first baseman Todd Helton will sit out his second consecutive game. Helton, mired in a 2-for-23 slump, is getting the whole weekend off and will be moved down in the lineup from the No. 3 spot when he returns.

Jason Giambi, hitting .222, will make his second consecutive start.