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Pirates-Rockies Preview

Jul 28, 2010 - 5:30 AM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Pittsburgh (34-64) at Colorado (51-48), 8:40 p.m. EDT

The idea of hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates was probably as appealing to the Colorado Rockies as the much-anticipated return of Troy Tulowitzki, but neither proved to be much help in the teams' series opener at Coors Field.

The Pirates look to win consecutive road games for the first time since mid-May on Wednesday night in Denver, where Tulowitzki and the fading Rockies try to avoid their first eight-game losing streak in more than two years.

Colorado (51-49) finished its longest road trip of the season 2-9 following the All-Star break, but there was reason to remain optimistic upon returning home. The Rockies had entered the break off an 8-2 homestand, were welcoming Tulowitzki back for the first-time since mid-June and were facing the NL-worst Pirates (35-64) in the first of three Tuesday night.

Tulowitzki went 0 for 4 as Colorado's No. 3 hitter and the rest of his teammates didn't fare much better. The Rockies hit two solo homers but struggled again with runners in scoring position, going 0 for 6 in a 4-2 loss.

Colorado is 7 for 51 (.137) with men at second and third during its seven-game slide.

"Scoring opportunities are something that continues to haunt us," manager Jim Tracy said.

Though they certainly haven't needed him lately, the Rockies also lost their closer prior to Tuesday's game. Huston Street bruised the right side of his abdomen when he was hit by a line drive during batting practice, reportedly losing consciousness two or three times before an ambulance arrived.

Street is considered day to day.

"It's never good to lose a closer, or anybody for that matter," said Clint Barmes, who snapped an 0 for 18 slump with his fifth-inning homer. "But I can't say that it affected the way we played tonight."

The Rockies last lost eight straight May 26-June 2, 2008, and for that to happen Wednesday the Pirates will have to show some consistency they've rarely displayed away from PNC Park. Pittsburgh hasn't won back-to-back road contests since May 14-15 at Wrigley Field.

Colorado should at least be able to count on a quality outing from Aaron Cook (4-6, 4.78 ERA). Despite his middling overall numbers, Cook is 4-0 with a 2.74 ERA in his last 10 starts at Coors Field since Sept. 25.

He's 2-1 with a 6.11 ERA in five starts versus Pittsburgh. Delwyn Young is 4 for 5 against Cook, while Lastings Milledge is 3 for 6 with a pair of doubles.

Cook, though, won't be picky about who he's facing as long as he's back in Denver. The right-hander fell to 1-6 on the road after surrendering nine hits and five runs over 4 1-3 innings Friday in a 6-0 loss at Philadelphia.

He'll be opposed by Ross Ohlendorf (1-8, 4.39), who hasn't won on the road since Aug. 11 - at Coors Field. The right-hander allowed three runs over six innings in that win, improving to 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA in two starts versus Colorado - both in Denver.

Tulowitzki will be eager to see him. Both of Tulowitzki's hits in six at-bats against Ohlendorf have been homers.

Ohlendorf has allowed two runs or fewer over at least six innings in four of his last five starts, but hasn't gotten much help. He gave up a run over six innings Thursday in a 3-2 home loss to Milwaukee.

The Pirates have totaled 10 runs in Ohlendorf's six road starts.