Rockies roll while Andruw Jones continues to slump

FIVE UP

	Rockies fans enjoyed every minute of the three-game sweep over the Yankees. AP
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I. Rolling Rox: Back in March -- while the Generation-R Rockies were in Arizona for spring training -- lawmakers back in the Centennial State were in the midst of some significant legislation: Whether or not to officially raise John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" to state-song status. After listening to a performance of the song that was recorded in the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Senate approved the measure with a 26-8 vote. Three months later, the Rockies can truly relate to the late Denver's state-sponsored rally cry.

Since May 22, Colorado owns a major league-best 20-7 record. The Rockies have won a franchise-best six straight series and they left quite an impression on their latest victim. The mighty Yankees -- who entered the series having won 11 of their last 12 games -- lost all three games against Colorado and left town with no desire to come back any time soon.

"I don't want to see them again, how's that?" manager Joe Torre said after the Rockies finished off the sweep on Thursday.

At 38-34, the Rockies are closing in on the three-team logjam atop the NL West (San Diego leads the bunch with a 41-30 mark).

During the recent rally, a number of players have made key contributions. But at the end of the day, Colorado's success relies on four components:

The Table Setter: Willy Taveras
"Willy T" is the Rockies' first true leadoff man since Juan Pierre. Over the years, Taveras has taken a bunch of heat for a low on-base percentage. But in his first season with the Rox, Taveras boasts a solid .362 mark this season, mainly because of his major league-leading 22 bunt singles. His rangy defense in Coors' vast outfield has been invaluable, and his throwing arm -- he ranks fourth among center fielders with four assists -- keeps runners at bay.

The Big Bopper: Matt Holliday
Quite possibly the most underrated player in the National League, Holliday leads the Senior Circuit with a .366 batting average.

The Ace: Jeff Francis
Francis has been fabulous during Colorado's 27-game tear. Since May 23, he's 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA.

The Stopper: Brian Fuentes
Behind his unique, whipping delivery, Fuentes has quietly become one of baseball's most imposing closers. The lefty has converted 20-of-22 save opportunities this season and an impressive 81-of-91 since taking over for the Rockies in May 2005.

II. The Polanco trade: An unequivocal "up" ... if you're a Tigers fan. In June of 2005, the Tigers sent Ramon Martinez and Ugueth Urbina to the Phillies for Placido Polanco (who at the time was standing in the way of up-and-coming Phillies prospect Chase Utley).

Nowadays, Polanco's a key cog in the Tigers' prolific offense. He ranks fifth in the American League in batting average (.339), third in batting average with runners in scoring position (.431) and first in All-Star voting for second basemen.

"He's the heart of that club," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I don't know why the hell the Phillies let him go."

As for Philadelphia's end of the deal ... neither player can be found in the Phillies clubhouse. Martinez is in his second year as a Dodgers utilityman (and on the disabled list with a strained back), and Urbina's serving a 14-year sentence in a Venezuelan prison for attempted murder.

Consider the bragging rights Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski gained from pulling off this deal: I once flipped a middling utility infielder and a jailbird-to-be for an All-Star.

III. Putz's perfection: As a visiting player at Safeco Field, the last thing you want to hear is the definitive opening riff to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," because it only means one thing: Mariners closer J.J. Putz is entering the field of play, and inherently, the game is over. Putz, who's a perfect 19-for-19 in save opportunities, is the only opening-day closer without a blown save.

IV. Corey Hart at leadoff: When Brewers leadoff Rickie Weeks went on the disabled list at the end of May, Milwaukee manager Ned Yost rolled the dice, placing 6-foot-6 Corey Hart at the top of the order. Thus far, it's paid off pretty nicely:

Weeks returned from the DL last Monday, but Yost is keeping Hart in the top spot.

And for all the inquiring yuppies out there, yes, this Corey Hart does wear sunglasses, but I can't guarantee that he keeps them on at night ...

Photo courtesy of AP

V. Greg Norton's knee injury: In January, the Devil Rays signed Carlos Pena to a minor-league contract for $800,000. But after he hit a meager .255 with zero homers and four RBIs in spring training, Tampa Bay cut the journeyman first baseman. Fate intervened one day later, though, as Greg Norton was placed on the DL with a knee injury, giving Pena a spot on the roster.

Currently, Pena's hitting .307 and paces the Rays in homers (17) and RBIs (44). If he had enough at-bats, Pena's 1.066 OPS would rank third in all of baseball, behind only Magglio Ordonez (1.122) and Alex Rodriguez (1.101). Oh, and by the way, Norton is hitting .212 with one homer in 21 games.