Jimenez rocked by Phillies

Starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez put the Colorado Rockies on his back over the first half of the season, keeping the team within striking distance of its NL West competition with each dominant start.

But Colorado’s postseason hopes dwindle as its star continues to struggle of late.

Jimenez suffered through one of the worst starts of his career on Saturday, getting battered for six runs and six walks in less than three innings in a 10-2 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies. The six walks were a career-high for Jimenez, and the start was the second-shortest. Jimenez fell behind 12 of the 15 batters he faced before exiting, and two others put the first pitch in play. Ryan Howard hit a bases-clearing triple off the Rockies star to chase him from the game, and the rout was on.

“I couldn’t locate my fastball in any spot,” Jimenez said. “After that first inning, I lost the strike zone. I beat myself and didn’t give my team a chance to win.”

Ian Stewart hit a solo home run for Colorado, which was held in check by Philadelphia starter Kyle Kendrick.

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 11:49 am by Raj Sethi

Tags: colorado rockies news, colorado rockies schedule, colorado rockies tickets, ryan howard, ubaldo jimenez