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Barmes, Tulowitzki lead Rockies against Houston

Apr 19, 2008 - 1:36 PM Colorado (8-8) at Houston (6-11) 7:05 pm EDT

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Instead of taking the night off after a 22-inning marathon, the Colorado Rockies made sure their bats were wide awake on Friday night. They will try to keep it that way Saturday when they visit the Astros in the second matchup of a three-game series.

The Rockies managed just two runs in Thursday's 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres in 22 innings. But after not getting to their Houston hotel until 8:30 a.m., the club was awake enough to post six runs in the first inning en route to an 11-5 victory.

Troy Tulowitzki, who drove in the winning run in Thursday's thriller, plated three on Friday. The second-year shortstop had not driven in a run through 12 games to start the season, but has six RBI in the past three contests.

Tulowitzki has been helped in the lineup of late by second baseman Clint Barmes, who is 12-for-27 since moving into the everyday lineup on April 12.

Wandy Rodriguez (1-0, 2.33 ERA) will try to slow the Colorado offense on Saturday. The lefthander is historically better at home than on the road, posting an 18-13 mark with a 4.28 ERA at Minute Maid Park.

Rodriguez has allowed just one run in 14 1/3 innings over his past two starts, striking out 13 and walking just one batter.

The Rockies will look for their fourth straight win behind righthander Aaron Cook (1-1, 3.79). He picked up his first win of the season on Sunday, allowing three runs and eight hits in six innings against the Diamondbacks.

Cook is 3-0 with a 3.99 ERA in seven career games - six starts - against the Astros.