WASHINGTON - The woeful Colorado Rockies have a tough
challenge when they open a three-game series against the
Washington Nationals on Monday, their first visit to the
nation's capital.
After being swept by Cincinnati, Colorado is 7-36 on the road.
It is the worst road record to begin a season since the New York
Mets went 7-44 in 1963.
Losers of their last four, the Rockies have the second-worst
overall mark in the major leagues and have been outscored by 112
runs.
Byung-Hyun Kim (2-7, 5.46 ERA) returns to the rotation after
coming out of the bullpen in his last outing. He gave up one
run and two hits in 1 2/3 innings against San Diego on July 8.
Although they have lost eight of 11, the Nationals lead the
National League East Division by 1 1/2 games over Atlanta.
Washington has the best home record in the major leagues
(30-13). On Sunday, Jose Guillen hit his 19th homer but
Washington, managed just four other hits in a 5-3 loss to
Milwaukee.
Tony Armas Jr. (4-4, 4.97) starts Monday for Washington, trying
to improve on his career 1-2 mark and 9.90 ERA against Colorado.
He yielded two runs and four hits in seven innings against the
New York Mets on July 7 but did not get a decision.