Ubaldo Jimenez Pitches Lights Out

The Colorado Rockies -- who just don't lose anymore -- find themselves in the NL championship series after completing a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 2-1 victory Saturday night.

Colorado's 17th win in 18 games was made possible by youngster Ubaldo Jimenez, the pea-throwing 23-year-old righty who gave up just one run on three hits over 6.1 innings during what turned out to be quite the pitchers' duel at Coors Field. The lone run came on a Shane Victorino homer to deep right in the seventh.

In the second inning, a random computer malfunction caused the lights to go out during Victorino's first at-bat. The players filed back into the dugout and Jimenez slipped into the sauna to await his call. Fourteen minutes later, the lights flickered on and play resumed with 39 mph winds knocking down anything on its way to the outfield.

Opposing hurler and last hope for the Phillies, veteran Jamie Moyer, pitched 6 innings with one run allowed on five hits. Then, reliever Tom Gordon went scoreless into the eighth before being replaced by J.C. Romero.

With two outs in the inning, Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe hit back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners.

After a powwow on the mound, Romero stayed in. A huge mistake by the heavily-criticized Charlie Manuel? You may or may not think so. Jeff Baker then nailed a 1-0 pitch through the gap in right to take the lead and give the Rockies their first home postseason victory in franchise history.

Lefty ace Jeff Francis will be back as Colorado advances to the NLCS on Thursday to take on Brandon Webb and the surging Arizona Diamondbacks, who just finished mowing down the Chicago Cubs in their division series.

[ESPN]