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Hirsh looking to keep Rockies rolling

May 30, 2007 - 4:10 PM St Louis (20-29) at Colorado (25-27) 9:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Jason Hirsh takes the ball for the Colorado Rockies looking to extend their season-high, seven-game winning streak against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday.

Hirsh (2-4, 4.30 ERA) is hoping some of the Rockies' recent success can help him earn his first win in more than a month. In his last start, the righthander yielded three runs and five hits in six innings, but did not figure in the decision of a 5-3 win over San Francisco on Friday.

It is no surprise that the winning streak has coincided with a breakout by the Colorado offense. The Rockies are averaging over six runs in their last five games.

On Tuesday, Colorado posted an 8-3 win behind a grand slam from Yorvit Torrealba and six strong innings from Rodrigo Lopez. It marked the franchise's first seven-game winning streak since September 6-12, 1998. The Rockies have not won eight straight since a franchise-best nine-game run from August 25-September 6, 1997.

Brad Hawpe has been integral in the streak, hitting .421 (8-for-19) with three homers and seven RBI during that stretch.

Meanwhile, St. Louis will be trying to avoid losing eight straight road games for the first time since 2001. Todd Wellemeyer (0-1, 8.06) makes his first career start in place of the demoted Anthony Reyes.

Wellemeyer was moved from the bullpen when the struggling Reyes was sent down to Class AAA Louisville. Wellemeyer made 96 starts in the minor leagues, but all 119 of his appearances in the majors have come in relief.