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Last call? Jimenez gets the call for Rox against Padres

Jul 30, 2011 - 2:44 PM (Sports Network) - It is no secret that Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez has had an up-and-down season, but he could soon by trying to work out of his funk in a new zip code.

Set to pitch on the eve of the non-waiver trade deadline, Jimenez will try to lead Colorado to a third straight victory this evening in the middle portion of a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Jimenez's struggles continued with a loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday. The right-hander had yielded just five runs over a three-start win streak before getting charged with five on eight hits in five innings of work against Arizona. Jimenez did strike out eight, but fell to 6-9 with a 4.20 earned run average this season.

Jimenez, who has a 2.83 ERA in nine road games this season, lost to the Padres on June 7 after fanning eight over seven innings of two-run ball. The 27-year- old fell to 7-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 12 career starts against the National League West rivals.

He could soon be moved out of the division as the former All-Star's name has been linked to a few clubs in trade rumors. For his part, Jimenez is trying to not let the talks affect him on the mound.

"The other teams are trying to get better, but at the same time this team is trying to get talent," Jimenez told Colorado's website earlier in the week. "They're not wanting us to show up at the stadium and say, 'We're going to lose today.' That's the way I'm looking at it. I keep showing up every day and playing hard. We'll see what happens."

What could happen tonight is Colorado winning three in a row for the first time since a four-game run from June 14-18. The Rockies have picked up back- to-back victories since losses in five of six, including last night's series- opening 3-2 triumph.

Ian Stewart and Chris Iannetta both drove in a run and Jason Hammel worked into the seventh inning while allowing two runs to earn the victory.

"Knowing that I was throwing strikes on the inside of the plate kept them honest out there," said Hammel. "It's all about placement in this game cause it's what you have to do in the league to stay successful."

Cameron Maybin ended with three hits and Orlando Hudson added a pair of hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Padres, who have lost six of eight. Tim Stauffer earned the loss after yielding three runs over seven innings.

"There was a combination of things out there tonight," said Stauffer. "We played a good game out there, but they took better advantage of their chances."

San Diego also figures to be busy before tomorrow's deadline, with closer Heath Bell, outfielder Ryan Ludwick and relievers Chad Qualls and Mike Adams all possibly available. One player who doesn't figure to be going anywhere is starter Aaron Harang, who is on the verge of reaching double-digit wins for the first time since he posted his second straight 16-win season on 2007 with the Reds. He improved to 9-2 with a 3.45 ERA with a win at Philadelphia on Monday and hasn't lost since May 2.

The 33-year-old has won consecutive starts and five straight decisions since that defeat and held the Phillies to four runs over six innings. Harang got just enough support in a 5-4 victory.

Though both of his losses this year have come in San Diego, he has still pitched to a 2.92 ERA in 10 games at home. The righty will be glad to face the Rockies at Petco Park after escaping with a no-decision in Colorado on May 14. Harang yielded seven runs over 4 1/3 innings, serving up home run balls to Todd Helton and the currently injured Carlos Gonzalez, while Troy Tulowitzki also drove in a pair of runs off Harang.

Lifetime, Harang is 4-2 with a 4.73 ERA in eight starts against the Rockies.

Colorado is 6-4 against the Padres this season, winning each of the past three meetings.