Ubaldo feeling better, will start tonight vs. Red Sox
by DenverPost
Ubaldo Jimenez has left adjectives clueless. There's no way to effectively describe his start this season. He's 13-1 with a 1.16 ERA. So no wonder Rockies' fans have been gnawing fingernails and grinding teeth today worried that the right-hander would miss his start tonight against the Boston Red Sox because of an illness.
Fear not. Jimenez told The Denver Post he will be on the mound at Coors Field opposite of Boston's John Lackey.
"I feel much better," said Jimenez, who left the ballpark last night an hour before game time because of a headache, fever and slight dizziness. "Of course I will (pitch). I would have to be dying to miss a game."
Jimenez hasn't lost at Coors Field this season, going 5-0 with a 1.85
ERA. Opponents have hit just .225 against Jimenez on Blake Street. Another sellout crowd is anticipated for second game of the series. The Rockies won the opener 2-1 as shortstop Clint Barmes made a stop-drop-roll stop and throw on Mike Lowell's groundball in the hole.
"I knew he was going to be special when we faced him in the 2007 World Series. There's just not many guys with an arm like that," Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said.
When Jimenez dressed and left the ballpark early Tuesday, players paused. There have been a lot of unnerving events this season for the Rockies, but losing the right-hander would rank at the top.
"He's been great. But he's got a lot left to do. Who knows where this season will end for him," said Barmes.
