Colorado @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2011 ) Colorado 6, Houston 9
THE STORY: The injury-riddled Colorado Rockies look to snap their eight-game losing streak Friday night when they play the second of four games against the host Houston Astros. The Rockies, who are playing without two of their top hitters in Carlos Gonzalez and Todd Helton, had lost seven home games in a row before dropping a 9-6 road loss at Houston. Carlos Lee drove in four runs to lead the Astros.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado); my20 (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Drew Pomeranz (1-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. Astros RH Brett Myers (6-13, 4.39 ERA)
Pomeranz has impressed in his first two major league starts, allowing two runs on just six hits over 10 2/3 innings at Coors Field. He upped his pitch count from 63 to 85 in his second outing, going 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants. This will be the first career road start for Pomeranz, who was 4-3 with a 1.78 ERA in 20 career minor-league starts after being drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Cleveland Indians last year.
Myers has been pitching incredibly well lately after struggling for much of the year, winning three consecutive starts while posting an ERA of 1.16 in September. He has given up just six runs over his last 34 1/3 innings and struck out 18 while walking just two batters over his last 25 1/3 frames. His last defeat came Aug. 22 at Colorado, where he was tagged for seven runs in five innings.
ABOUT THE ROCKIES (70-86): Colorado hasn't had much trouble scoring runs this season. Although plagued with injury, the Rockies' production hasn't dipped appreciably in September (74 runs in 18 games). The pitching, however, has been a weak spot. The Rockies own the highest team ERA in the National League and rank at or near the bottom of the league in most major categories. Colorado has allowed 57 runs during its eight-game skid.
ABOUT THE ASTROS (54-102): Thursday's win was just the 31st in the last 99 games for Houston, which has been hampered by a lack of quality pitching all season. The Astros' staff ranks right with Colorado near the bottom of the National League in nearly every category, with the bullpen ranking as the biggest problem — Houston has blown nearly half of its save opportunities (23 of 48). Mark Melancon has calmed the waters of late, converting nine of his last 10 save chances.
FINAL PITCH: The Astros have now won their last six home games against sub-.500 teams, as well as 26 of their last 34 home dates with Colorado.