Rockies Line-Up, July 6 2012: Drew's 1st win?

The Rockies open a 3 game set tonight versus the Nationals (48-32) at Nationals Park. The next man up is Drew Pomeranz (0-3, 3.72 ERA) who in his last start July 1 versus the Padres he pitched effectively under the controversial pitch limit, going 6 innings with 0 ER (one unearned run) in a 2-0 loss. This is his second start since being called up from AAA Colorado Springs.

He faces the ace of the Nationals rotation, Stephen Strasburg (9-3, 2.81 ERA). In his last start versus the Braves at Turner Field on June 30, the hottest day in Atlanta’s history got to him as he only went 3 innings with 3 ER in a 7-5 loss. Strasburg has lost his previous 2 starts, including to the Rockies on June 25 at Coors Field when he gave up 3 ER in 6 innings in a 4-2 Rockies victory.

The Rockies (31-51) have lost five of their last six games and now sit 20 games under .500 for the first time since 2005 when they finished that season 67-95. The offense, which was hot during the last series versus the Nationals (.344 avg, 25 runs scored) has cooled off in this slump with only 13 runs scored in these last 6 games.

Holding up the offensive flag has been Tyler Colvin. He is batting .343 with 4 HR and 14 RBI in hist last 9 games. Another man who will be happy to see the Nationals again is all-star Carlos Gonzalez, who batted .500 (8 of 16) against them in June. Dexter Fowler (.474 batting avg) and Jordan Pacheco (.417 avg) have also enjoyed facing the Nationals. The Rockies are comfortable at the Nationals house, since 2008 they have won 10 of 13 at on the road to Washington.

Rockies lineup:

Dexter Fowler CF

Marco Scutaro 2B

Carlos Gonzalez LF

Michael Cuddyer RF

Tyler Colvin 1B

Jordan Pacheco 3B

Wil Nieves C

Jonathan Herrera SS

Drew Pomeranz P

Nationals lineup:

Danny Espinosa 2B