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Rockies aim for fourth straight win vs. Giants

Sep 4, 2007 - 2:37 PM San Francisco (62-77) at Colorado (71-66) 8:35 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies will need to count on some unproven arms if they want any chance to reach the playoffs.

Rookie Franklin Morales takes the mound Tuesday when the Rockies host the San Francisco Giants.

One of the organization's top pitching prospects, Morales has been thrust into a crucial role with the Rockies, who announced Monday that injured starters Aaron Cook (abdomen) and Jason Hirsh (right leg) will miss the remainder of the campaign.

Despite the injury woes, the Rockies trail the Arizona Diamondbacks (76-63) by four games in the National League wild card race and are a major-league best 28-10 at home since June 2.

Colorado received a strong outing Monday from ace Jeff Francis, who logged 5 2/3 solid innings and sparked a seven-run third inning with a double in a 7-4 win.

Morales (0-2, 4.40 ERA) faced the Giants in his last start and took the loss. The lefthander allowed two runs and six hits in five innings of a 3-1 loss last Tuesday.

San Francisco, which has lost three straight, hands the ball to rookie Tim Lincecum (7-4, 3.94), who was skipped the last time around to avoid being overworked.

In his last outing, the 5-11 righthander allowed four runs in six innings but did not factor into the decision in a 5-4 win over Milwaukee on August 26.