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Rox take aim at sweep in San Diego

Jul 31, 2011 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - The Colorado Rockies begin life without Ubaldo Jimenez today when they go for a sweep in their three-game set with the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

The Rockies dealt their ace to the Cleveland Indians on Saturday for a package of four prospects that includes righty Alex White and potentially left-hander Drew Pomeranz, the Tribe's top pick in last year's draft.

"This was a very difficult decision for us to make," Rockies general manager Dan O?Dowd said. "Our focus with this deal was to make our team better in the very near future and we feel like we were able to do that in this situation.

"We believe the timing of this deal also allowed us to maximize the value we were able to get in return."

Jimenez pitched one inning against the Padres on Saturday night, even though he knew before the game a trade was in the works.

Finding it hard to concentrate, he gave up two hits, four walks and four runs.

"I was a little surprised," Jimenez told reporters about the start. "Even before the game, everybody knew it, even me. I wasn't sure if I had to stretch, warm up or anything like that."

Jimenez threw 45 pitches in his last inning with the Rockies, the only team he has played for in his five-plus MLB seasons. He threw 24 of them for balls, but Colorado went on to win 10-6.

"I didn't have my mind on baseball," said Jimenez.

Eliezer Alfonzo finished with a career-high five RBI in the win, while Troy Tulowitzki blasted a two-run homer and Chris Nelson picked up three hits, including two doubles for the Rockies, who have won three straight games.

Esmil Rogers (4-1) came out for the bottom of the second inning and went five frames, giving up one run on one hit to earn the win.

Alberto Gonzalez finished with a double and three RBI, while Ryan Ludwick smacked a two-run double for the Padres, who have lost four of their last five contests.

Aaron Harang (9-3) gave up six runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six and walked a pair, but suffered his first loss since May 2 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Getting the call for the Rockies this afternoon will be rookie right-hander Juan Nicasio, who is 4-3 with a 4.24 ERA. Nicssio was hit hard in a loss to the Dodgers on Monday, allowing five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The 24-year-old hurler beat the Padres back on June 14, holding them to a pair of runs and six hits in six innings in his only other start against them.

San Diego, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Wade LeBlanc, who gets a spot start tonight in place of the injured Dustin Moseley. LeBlanc hasn't pitched since June 20 and is 0-2 with a 5.17 ERA on the year.

Moseley had dislocated his left shoulder for the second time in seven weeks in his last start on Tuesday.

LeBlanc?s 1-3 with a 5.02 ERA in five starts against the Rockies, losing each of the last three.

Colorado has won seven of its 11 matchups with the Padres this season.