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Rockies hoping to gain ground in NL West

Sep 7, 2008 - 12:49 PM Houston (75-67) at Colorado (67-76), 3:05 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- Despite the Houston Astros having a much better record, the Colorado Rockies will be the ones playing for a potential playoff spot on Sunday.

The Rockies attempt to capitalize on their mediocre division and close the gap in the National League West when they meet the Houston Astros.

Colorado is quickly running out of time, sitting 5 1/2 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers (72-70) and five back of the Arizona Diamondbacks (71-70), who are in second in the NL West.

The Rockies, who suffered a 2-0 loss to the Astros on Saturday, hope lefthander Jorge De La Rosa (8-7, 5.23 ERA) can help them bounce back.

De La Rosa has won his last two starts, surrending two runs - one earned - over 13 innings during that stretch. He tossed seven outstanding frames with six strikeouts in Monday's 4-0 win over the San Francisco Giants.

Houston, which has won nine of its previous 10, counters with Wandy Rodriguez (8-6, 3.76), who is also coming off an impressive outing. The lefthander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings during last Sunday's 3-0 triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals.