--The Rockies have blown eight-run leads three times in franchise history, all three against the Cubs. They are 1-2 when blowing an eight-run lead, including a 10-9 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday in a game they led 9-1 going into the sixth. The Cubs scored three in the sixth and six in the seventh. The Rockies rallied to win a Sept. 30, 2006 game at Wrigley Field, blowing an 8-0 third-inning lead but winning 11-9 in 14 innings. The Cubs rallied from a 9-1 deficit at Coors Field on June 22, 1999 for a 13-12 victory.
--OF Brad Hawpe (strained right hamstring) began a medical rehab assignment at Class AAA Colorado Springs on Monday, and should be activated for Friday's series opener against Milwaukee. --RHP Luis Vizcaino (strained right shoulder) pitched back-to-back shutout innings on his rehab assignment at Colorado Springs on Saturday and Sunday, putting him close to rejoining the active roster.
--RHP Juan Morillo, who ran off a seven-appearance stretch in which he walked one and allowed three hits while striking out 12 and not allowing a run, walked the first three batters he faced Saturday for Class AAA Colorado Springs. He wound up giving up three runs, two earned, and a hit while striking out one in one inning. He has walked 25 and struck out 27 in 21 2/3 innings for the Sky Sox.
--OF Ryan Spilborghs suffered a deep bruise in his left wrist after being hit by a pitch from Cubs RHP Ryan Dempster on Saturday, but Spilborghs was able to play through the injury on Sunday. X-rays of the injury were negative, and Spilborghs came off the bench Sunday to pinch-hit in the sixth inning and then stayed in the game. "There's discomfort when I swing, but it's not something I am thinking about it when I start to swing," said Spilborghs. "It's not something that keeps me from having the correct swing."
BY THE NUMBERS: 9 -- Starting pitchers used by the Rockies this season with LHP Glendon Rusch's start against the Cubs on Saturday. That matches the Texas Rangers for most starters used by a major league team in a game this year. The Rockies have used 20 pitchers overall, tied with San Diego atop the NL and one behind the Rangers' 21 for the tops in the majors in that category.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think he made it look like it was not an issue, but there were the seams of a baseball on his knee." -- Manager Clint Hurdle on RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, who pitched five innings despite taking a line drive off his left knee cap the second batter of the first inning on Sunday.
