Colorado Rockies history: Ubaldo Jimenez hurls a no-hitter

As we continue to look back at the greatest moments in Colorado Rockies history, we remember the only no-hitter thrown by a Rockies pitcher.

Ubaldo Jimenez made Rockies history on April 17, 2010, by throwing the franchise’s only no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. What made the moment so interesting was not only its place in Colorado history but also the tweak that was made in the middle of the game by Jimenez that made such a difference.

After issuing a walk to start the fifth inning (which was, incredibly, his sixth walk of the game already at that point of the contest), Jimenez began to pitch solely from the stretch. The change worked as Jimenez didn’t surrender a walk the rest of the game.

More from Rox Pile

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton had played football instead?
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?

Keeping the no-hitter intact was a tremendous diving catch by Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler in the bottom of the seventh inning. Also helping keep the no-hitter going was the incredible speed that Jimenez produced on his fastball throughout the game. His fastball reached 100 on the radar gun three different times during the contest. He averaged 96.8 miles per hour on the night.

Think about this. Jimenez threw 128 pitches to earn his no-hitter. The final out of the night was recorded by Brian McCann and Jimenez hummed a 98 mile per hour fastball to McCann (who grounded out to second) on pitch 126 of his night. That is incredible, sustained heat.

Watch the video highlights below…

The no-hitter helped spark Jimenez to earning the National League Pitcher of the Month honors for April and was part of five wins that he earned that month. It was also part of a record 22.1 scoreless innings that Jimenez threw during an overpowering stretch.

There is much that could be talked about with the career that Jimenez had in Colorado between 2006 and 2011 before he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. However, we’re focusing on this incredible night in Atlanta as one of our 32 most memorable Rockies moment.

Next: Another great moment in Rockies history: Nolan's catch over the tarp

Is it the most memorable moment in franchise history? You can help decide through our online voting. Follow @RoxPileFS on Twitter to vote and let your voice be heard!