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Giants-Rockies Preview

May 7, 2009 - 5:38 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

San Francisco (13-12) at Colorado (10-15), 3:10 p.m. EDT

No matter what uniform he's wearing, Jason Marquis usually pitches well against the San Francisco Giants.

Looking to continue his strong start for the Colorado Rockies, the right-hander tries for a second straight victory over the Giants in the finale of a two-game series Thursday at Coors Field.

Marquis (4-1, 3.31 ERA) allowed a run and five hits in a 5-1 victory at San Francisco on Saturday for his first complete game since May 9, 2007, against Pittsburgh while with the Chicago Cubs.

That performance improved Marquis to 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA in seven starts against the Giants and continued his success with the Rockies (11-15), who acquired him in a trade with the Cubs in January.

Marquis certainly feels at home with this fourth team in 10 major-league seasons.

"I am the type of guy who wants to do everything," said Marquis, who has won 11 or more games in each of his last five seasons with Chicago and St. Louis. "I'm tough-minded and I believe in myself. I feel like I don't have to look over my shoulder here if something goes wrong. I can go out every fifth day and battle every time I step on the mound."

Marquis might not have to exert too much energy if his teammates provide the same kind of support they did in an 11-1 win over San Francisco (13-13) on Wednesday.

Todd Helton homered and had three hits for the Rockies, who have alternated wins and losses in their last eight games since winning two in a row April 26-27.

Helton continues a hot stretch where he's batting .529 (18 for 34) with two homers and eight RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak. The 13-year veteran appears to be back to All-Star form after he hit a career-low .264 and was limited to 83 games due to back problems last season.

"It's still a battle," Helton said. "It's still going up there and trying to find it every day and making adjustments. It's not easy."

Helton's hitting .519 (14 for 27) with two home runs and five RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak against San Francisco, but is 6 for 29 lifetime versus Giants' scheduled starter Matt Cain.

Cain (2-1, 3.09) hopes for a better result as he opposes Marquis for a second consecutive start.

He allowed five runs and seven hits - including three homers - while walking four in six innings against the Rockies last week.

"I just wasn't locating my fastball," said Cain, who gave up a home run to Brad Hawpe and two to Ryan Spilborghs in that contest. "I was not able to get ahead with it so I was almost pitching backward. I paid for it."

The right-hander is 6-5 with a 3.33 ERA in 14 starts against Colorado.

Pablo Sandoval, who homered off Marquis last month, had one of San Francisco's five hits Wednesday. The third baseman is batting .441 (15 for 34) with seven RBIs in his last 10 games.