D'Backs-Rockies Snowed Out Day After 84-Degree Day
The Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks were postponed by a mix of rain and snow Sunday after playing in an unseasonably warm 84 degrees the day before.
Temperatures dipped from the high 60s early Sunday into the 30s as a snowstorm swept over the Rocky Mountains. First rain and then snow pelted the stadium an hour before the scheduled afternoon start, forcing the grounds crew to roll out the tarp.
The teams said a makeup date would be determined at a later time. The logical choice would be May 23, when both teams have a mutual off day prior to a three-game series against each other at Coors Field.
Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin was supposed to face the Diamondbacks in the rubber game of their three-game series and now is expected to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday after a day off.
Arizona left-hander Joe Saunders is expected to start Monday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Before the bad weather set in, Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez made some soft throws in the outfield to test his bandaged right thumb for the first time.
Jimenez has a cracked cuticle that affected his opening-day performance and could force him to miss his next start, Thursday night at Pittsburgh.
Manager Jim Tracy said he'd like to know by Tuesday if Jimenez has recovered sufficiently to make his next start or whether it will have to be moved back - perhaps to Saturday, also against the Pirates - or skipped altogether, which would mean he wouldn't throw again until next week against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said catcher Henry Blanco will get the start Monday in his Diamondbacks debut.
Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.