Cubs-Rockies Preview

The Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs are both trying to avoid the dubious distinction of a 100-loss season. The Rockies' effort to avoid that mark has been evident at the plate recently.

Colorado looks to win its third straight Wednesday night when it continues a three-game home set with the Cubs.

While surpassing the franchise record of 95 losses may be inevitable, Colorado (60-94) needs to win three of its final eight to avoid the century mark.

The Rockies helped their chances with a 10-5 win Tuesday, shortened to 6 1/2 innings due to rain.

DJ LeMahieu finished a home run short of the cycle while Wilin Rosario and Matt McBride each went deep. Colorado has won its last two following a nine-game losing streak.

The offense has done its part, tallying 15 hits Tuesday for its sixth straight game with at least 10. The Rockies have scored seven or more runs in three of the last four games.

"The job that our young kids are doing offensively is beyond impressive," manager Jim Tracy said. "Ten runs and 15 hits in six innings of offense is a pretty good night's work."

Colorado, which last won three straight during a five-game winning streak Aug. 19-23, will try to drop Chicago to 0-15 on the road against NL West teams.

The Cubs (59-95) have lost three straight and seven of eight. They had a 3-0 lead after the first inning Tuesday and were ahead 5-3 after the top half of the fourth with Dave Sappelt and Starlin Castro having homered.

Sappelt's homer was the first of his career. After being called up when rosters expanded earlier this month, he's 13 for his last 42 (.310).

Drew Pomeranz (1-9, 5.30 ERA), who is 0-6 with a 6.84 ERA over his last 13 starts, looks to end his winless streak Wednesday.

Pomeranz gave up four runs, four hits and five walks in three innings of a 15-5 loss to Arizona on Friday, but didn't factor in the decision.

It was the third time in four starts Pomeranz failed to last beyond the third inning.

"He ends up with almost a 30-pitch (first) inning and he does some more of it in the second inning, and some more of it in the third inning, and it's a little bit over 80 pitches in three innings," manager Jim Tracy told the Rockies' official website. "That's not Major League pitching. It's that simple. Eighty pitches in three innings is not going to get you very far."

The left-hander, whose lone win in 20 starts this year came against Washington on July 6, was more effective against the Cubs on Aug. 24. He went five innings, allowing two hits - both solo homers - in a 5-3 loss. He didn't earn a decision.

The Cubs will counter with Jason Berken (0-1, 1.80) looks to build off an impressive outing his last time out.

Berken gave up two hits in six scoreless innings and did not get a decision in Chicago's 5-3 loss to Cincinnati last Wednesday.

The right-hander, who has never faced the Rockies, will be making his third start with the Cubs after a relief appearance with Baltimore in May.