Tigers at Rockies
Although the Colorado Rockies probably wouldn't mind forgetting most of August, they may be ending the month the same positive way they started it. After winning three of their final four during a six-game road trip, the Rockies return home Monday to begin a three-game interleague series against the fading Detroit Tigers.
Colorado, which won four of its first five in August before dropping 11 of its next 15, improved to 11-13 this month following Sunday's 3-0 victory in the rubber match of its three-game weekend set in Atlanta. The surge comes at a good time for the Rockies, who maintained their 3 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee for the second wild card in the National League and remained 1 1/2 behind Arizona for the top spot. Detroit won four straight to begin the month but has lost 16 of 21 since and finds itself only four games ahead of the American League-worst Chicago White Sox. The Tigers dropped their sixth consecutive series over the weekend and were dealt another blow when Victor Martinez was forced to go on the disabled list with an irregular heartbeat for the second time this season prior to Sunday's 7-1 loss to the White Sox.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, AT&T SportsNet - Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-11, 6.11 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Antonio Senzatela (10-4, 4.52)
Zimmermann became the first Tiger in 82 years to give up seven runs in three straight outings in a loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday, surrendering nine hits and failing to strike out a batter in five innings. The two-time All-Star joined Tommy Bridges and Schoolboy Rowe (1935) as owners of the dubious honor and has allowed 27 hits across 13 2/3 frames over that span. Zimmermann has had the Rockies' number in 10 career starts against them, however, going 6-0 with a 2.48 ERA.
Senzatela, who has worked primarily out of the bullpen since the end of June, settled for a no-decision Wednesday in Kansas City after yielding two runs over five innings. The 22-year-old Venezuelan has yet to record a decision in August but has posted a 2.84 ERA this month after struggling in June (8.10) and July (6.00). Senzatela has given up 13 of his 18 homers in Colorado this season, although he will put his 8-2 home record on the line as he faces Detroit for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rockies went 4-for-24 with runners in scoring position in Atlanta and left 21 men on base, including nine in each of their last two contests.
2. Tigers 3B Nicholas Castellanos went 0-for-4 in his return to the lineup Sunday after sitting out the previous two games due to a sore left wrist suffered in Thursday's brawl versus the Yankees.
3. Colorado MGR Bud Black announced Sunday the team will "navigate" save situations for the time being. RHP Greg Holland, who has notched an NL-high 36 saves, has posted a 7.36 ERA since June 15 and served up four homers in his last seven appearances.