The Colorado Rockies are hoping to take the second test in a three-game set with the NL Central Division contending Pittsburgh Pirates, as another battle of left-handers looms tonight at Coors Field, with the Rockies’ Christian Friedrich (5-6, 5.60) going up against Pittsburgh’s Erik Bedard (4-10, 4.80). Friedrich will be looking to follow-up not only on Jeff Francis’ excellent work for Colorado last night; he’ll also be seeking to match his own first-rate appearance last Friday against Philadelphia, when he went six innings for the win, allowing one run on five hits, with seven strike-outs and a single walk. Bedard, rare for a Rockies’ opponent, has been struggling.  He hasn’t won since June 8, and has given-up four or more earned runs in four of his five succeeding starts.

Colorado, which placed infielders Chris Nelson and  Jonathan Herrera on he 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder DJ Le Mahieu and utility man Andrew Brown from Colorado Springs,
http://www.roxwalkoff.com/2012/07/17/nelson-herrera-to-dl-with-lemahieu-brown-called-up/, would love to get on a bit of a roll as the season progresses toward the July 31 trading deadline. The Pirates need a win to keep pace with Cincinnati in the Central.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 pm MDT with television on Root Sports and radio KOA 850 am.  Weather is expected to include showers similar to those that interrupted Monday’s game with one out in the top of the ninth.  Temperatures will drop from 83 at game time to 76 at sunset, with variable west winds at 5 to 7 mph.  Rockies’ MFL Jim Tracy will stick with Carlos Gonzalez in the cleanup slot and Michael Cuddyer batting fifth.  Red hot Dexter Fowler will bat third with Eric Young Jr leading off.  The lineups:

IN GAME CHAT