For the first time in weeks, Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki didn't do the heavy lifting for the Colorado Rockies.

Ubaldo Jimenez stuck around long enough to turn a clunker into a classic.

No matter what they try, the San Diego Padres just keep losing.

Neither a pregame players-only meeting nor the Famous Chicken's fowl humor could keep the NL West-leading San Diego Padres from stumbling to a nine-game losing streak, their longest since 2003.

Darren Ford arrived from Double-A in the second inning following a delayed flight and missed connection. Then, he got thrown right into a tie game and a pennant race in his major league debut.

Charlie Manuel scoffed at the notion of second place. So did Phillies stars Jimmy Rollins and Roy Oswalt.

Ubaldo Jimenez won his major league-leading 17th game, Carlos Gonzalez homered twice and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 6-1 on Wednesday.

Ubaldo Jimenez was back to All-Star form and the Rockies found their groove at the plate. It all adds up to one thing: A return to the win column for Colorado.

Even when he's not at his best, Ubaldo Jimenez is awfully good.

Ubaldo Jimenez became the first 11-game winner in the majors despite losing his scoreless innings streak after a franchise record 33, and the Colorado Rockies had to hold on for a 3-2 victory Sunday to avoid being swept in three games in Arizona.

Even without overpowering stuff, Ubaldo Jimenez is tough to beat.