Ubaldo Jimenez has been one of the positives out of a summer of negatives. He has developed from a pitcher with potential to a right-hander the Rockies can now count on to be a cornerstone of the rotation in 2009.
Jimenez showed just how far he has come since April with seven dominating innings in a 10-3 victory against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on Tuesday night. He gave up two runs in the first inning, as Adrian Gonzalez homered after a two-out walk of Brian Giles. He had to pitch out of trouble in the second, allowing a leadoff double by Chase Headley and walking Matt Antonelli, both of whom were stranded when Jimenez retired the next three batters. But after throwing 41 pitches in the first two innings, and giving up a leadoff single to Sean Kazmar to open the third, Jimenez retired 15 of the next 16 batters he faced, needing only 66 pitches to get through the final five innings.
Jimenez also lowered his career ERA at Coors Field to 3.45, second lowest among pitchers with at least 120 career innings to the 3.32 of Brian Fuentes. Steve Reed's career ERA was 3.51.
"He did it on his own," catcher Chris Iannetta said of Jimenez's in-game adjustment. "That's the best part. Nobody had to tell him anything."
After opening the season by going 1-7 in his first 14 starts -- 13 of which the Rockies lost -- Jimenez finds himself 11-12 with most likely two starts remaining. He has gone from hopeful at the start of the season to confident at season's end.
"Early in the season I would have not made the adjustment like I did," Jimenez said. "I just had to relax and not rush. In the first inning I tried to overthrow the fastball. I don't have to do that."
With a mid-90 fastball, hard slider, over-the-top curveball and a changeup he can mix in, Jimenez has the assortment of pitches that doesn't require extra effort.
"What was impressive as anything was the way Ubaldo put his foot down starting in the third inning," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He finished so strong."
ROCKIES 10, PADRES 2: Chris Iannetta hit his first career grand slam, his 17th home run of the season, equaling the second most ever by a Rockies catcher. Charles Johnson set the franchise record for a catcher with 20 in 2003. Jeff Baker also had a single, double and three-run home run. He scored two runs. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out nine in seven innings to improve his record to 11-12.
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