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Rockies-Diamondbacks Preview

Aug 21, 2010 - 6:23 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Colorado (62-59) at Arizona (48-75), 8:10 p.m. EDT

Having lost back-to-back games for the first time this month, the fading Colorado Rockies hope their ace can help them out with a historic victory.

Ubaldo Jimenez tries again to set the Rockies' single-season wins record and reverse Colorado's road woes as the team continues its road series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

The Rockies (62-59) alternated wins and losses through their first 16 August games - a maddening enough trend for a team attempting to get back in the playoff chase.

After Thursday night's 2-0 loss to the Dodgers - Colorado's fifth shutout defeat this month - Rockies closer Huston Street blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Friday's series opener.

"I need to be able to finish guys," said Street, who has blown three of his last five save opportunities. "It's just frustrating. There's just no two ways about it."

Miguel Montero's two-out, two-run double tied it, then Kelly Johnson's RBI double in the 10th gave the Diamondbacks (48-75) a 4-3 victory, snapping their four-game losing streak.

Colorado, meanwhile, slipped seven games behind NL wild card-leading Philadelphia.

Jimenez (17-3, 2.59 ERA) hopes to quickly snap the Rockies' skid and regain sole possession of the major league lead in wins. He's currently tied with St. Louis' Adam Wainwright.

The right-hander matched Jeff Francis, Pedro Astacio and Kevin Ritz for the franchise record in victories Aug. 4 against San Francisco, but has come up short in two attempts to break the mark.

Jimenez allowed three runs in eight innings Sunday against Milwaukee and was in line for the win before Clint Barmes' ninth-inning error allowed the Brewers to tie the game against Street.

"I'm a human being. I wanted to win that game, but so what? We're going to have more opportunities," Jimenez said.

His next chance comes against a team he has dominated lately. Jimenez has posted a 0.96 ERA while winning his last four starts against the Diamondbacks, including three this season.

Jimenez, however, hasn't won on the road since June 28, going 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in his last three road outings.

The Rockies have scored two or fewer runs 12 times while going 6-16 on the road since the All-Star break, and it's unclear if slugger Carlos Gonzalez will return to their lineup Saturday. The outfielder, who leads the team in home runs (25), RBIs (79) and stolen bases (19), has missed the last two games after running into the right field wall to make a catch Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Colorado will take its swings against steady Arizona rookie Barry Enright (3-2, 2.91), who hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his first nine major league starts.

Enright hasn't lost since before the All-Star break, going 2-0 with a 2.68 ERA in his last six outings. Both of his wins during that stretch came at Chase Field, where the right-hander has a 2.25 ERA in three second-half starts.

The last-place Diamondbacks got a boost from their beleaguered bullpen Friday. Arizona relievers, who are last in the majors with a 6.11 ERA, allowed two hits in five shutout innings.