--1B Todd Helton went 2-for-4 Thursday, leaving him three hits away from 2,000 in his career. The Rockies open a series Friday at Pittsburgh, where Helton made his major league debut Aug. 2, 1997, albeit at Three Rivers Stadium. That day, he singled off RHP Francisco Cordova for his first hit. Helton's first homer came that day against RHP Marc Wilkins.
--3B Garrett Atkins' single in the fourth broke an 0-for-25 slide. It was his first hit since he went 1-for-3 on May 4 at San Diego. Atkins, who is batting .198, went 1-for-22 on the homestand. --RHP Jason Marquis allowed 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings and LHP Glendon Rusch allowed 12 hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 15-11 loss to the Astros on Wednesday. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rockies are the first team in the majors to have two pitchers each allow 10 or more hits in the same game since the Twins on Aug. 13, 1999, in a 14-2 loss to the Yankees.
--The Rockies have scored 10 or more runs in five of their seven wins at home this season. They have hit at least one homer in 12 of their 13 wins.
--The Rockies on Tuesday began a stretch of 16 consecutive days before their next scheduled off day May 28. They will then play 17 consecutive days before an off day June 15, meaning they are playing 33 games in 34 days.
BY THE NUMBERS: 54 -- Career wins for RHP Aaron Cook, who had been tied for second place in franchise history with Pedro Astacio and now needs four victories to reach 58 and tie Jason Jennings for the most Rockies wins all-time.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I sleep in it a lot. Until I have to (use the bathroom). And then I get up. It definitely takes away from of the soreness. It definitely doesn't hurt. And I do anything I can to help." -- 1B Todd Helton, 35, on the hyperbaric chamber he has been using since his back surgery in late September.
