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Rockies' Jimenez baffles Brewers in 4-3 victory

Chris Jenkins
Associated Press  —  7/07/2008 10:24 pm

MILWAUKEE -- Ubaldo Jimenez baffled the Brewers in a 4-3 victory on Monday, putting a damper on what had been a daylong welcome to Milwaukee party for CC Sabathia.

Jimenez (4-8) gave up only three hits in seven innings, and has won three of his last four starts after beginning the season 1-7.

All-Star Matt Holliday hit his 14th home run -- and fourth in four games -- for Colorado, which has won six of its last seven.

After warmly welcoming Sabathia, who is scheduled to make his Milwaukee debut Tuesday night after he was acquired in a trade with Cleveland on Monday, the Brewers didn't seem particularly focused on the field until they put together a late rally off reliever Taylor Buchholz.

Milwaukee loaded the bases in the eighth inning on an error by Rockies first baseman Joe Koshansky, a pop fly that inexplicably dropped between catcher Chris Iannetta and third baseman Garrett Atkins, and a walk. Brewers slugger Ryan Braun then hit a sharp ground ball that glanced off the mound and into the glove of shortstop Clint Barnes, who stepped on second and threw to first for a double play as a run scored.

Prince Fielder then hit a two-run homer off Buchholz, cutting the Rockies' lead to 4-3.

Buchholz was relieved by Manuel Corpas, who gave up a bloop single to Corey Hart before getting Russell Branyan to fly out to center.

Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth for his 14th save.

Up to that point, the Brewers couldn't muster much offense, had two runners picked off first base by Jimenez and watched a Rockies run scored on an easy ground ball that ended up being an error.

Brewers starter Seth McClung (5-4) struggled with his control and was pulled from the game two outs into the fifth after giving up two runs and five walks.

The Brewers went down 3-0 in the sixth after an easy ground ball from Jimenez squirted past third baseman Branyan for an error and Baker scored from second.

Holliday added his solo homer in the seventh.

For Milwaukee, the loss dampened what had been a festive atmosphere after the Brewers announced they had sent four prospects to Cleveland for Sabathia, the reigning Cy Young Award winner.

Sabathia smiled and waved after teammates let him know he was being shown on the scoreboard video monitor during the game, and received a 30-second standing ovation.

Chris Jenkins
Associated Press  —  7/07/2008 10:24 pm