Sat Jul 19 10:32:27 2008

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Rox hope for some home cooking against Bucs

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(Sports Network) - The Colorado Rockies try to win for the eighth time in nine tries at Coors Field this evening when they continue their four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Rockies continued their strong play at home in the second test of this set on Friday, as Matt Holliday hit a two-run home run in the first and Colorado never trailed in a 5-2 victory.

Brad Hawpe cranked a solo shot and Seth Smith had an inside-the-park home run, while Willy Taveras tripled, scored twice and stole two bases for the Rockies, who have won the first two games of this series after entering the All-Star break on a four-game skid.

Glendon Rusch (3-3) picked up the win, allowing just two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 frames. The southpaw struck out one batter and did not allow a walk.

Ian Snell (3-8) extended a personal winless skid to five consecutive starts, surrendering four runs - three earned - on six hits and three walks while fanning five.

Jose Bautista hit a solo home run while Jason Bay had the other RBI for Pittsburgh, which has dropped four of its last five. The Pirates have also dropped five straight and nine of their last 11 away from home.

Colorado will pin its hopes on left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who has lost two of his last three decisions. De La Rosa was hammered by the Milwaukee Brewers in his final start before the break on July 10, as he allowed seven runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings to slip to 3-5 on the season, while raising his ERA to 7.26.

De La Rosa has faced the Pirates five times (one start) in his career, going 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in those outings.

Pittsburgh will counter with right-hander Yoslan Herrera, who will be making the second start of his major league career. Herrera did not get a decision in his debut last Saturday against St. Louis, as he allowed six runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 frames.

Herrera is filling in for the injured Phil Dumatrait.

Although Colorado won four of seven last year in the series, the Pirates won three of the four tests played at Coors Field.