First pitch, September 1

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 1, 2007 at midnight

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NUMBERS GAME

4 shutouts for the Rockies this season. The single-season franchise record is eight, which was set in 2001 and equaled in 2002 and 2006. The Rockies had five shutouts in 1994, 1997 and 1998. And they had four shutouts in 1996, 2003 and 2005. Jeff Francis' shutout of San Francisco on Wednesday was the team's first complete-game shutout since Francis blanked St. Louis on July 24 last season.

READY TO RUN

Center fielder Willy Taveras, bothered by a strained right quadriceps for two months, will be activated from the disabled list for the game tonight. Taveras rejoined the Rockies on Friday after playing four consecutive days with Triple-A Colorado Springs and testing his quad.

"I ran and didn't feel a thing," Taveras said. "I'm real strong. I can go 100 percent."

Manager Clint Hurdle said that while Taveras is ready to join the team, catcher Edwin Bellorin (hamstring) has not begun squatting and running at Colorado Springs, leaving his return uncertain.

FALL BALL

Right-hander Shane Lindsay, whose development has been slowed by shoulder problems, is among six Rockies minor leagues who will play for the Waikiki Beach Boys in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League. Lindsay missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He will be joined on the team in Hawaii by right-handers David Patton and Josh Sullivan, catcher Mike McKenry, first baseman Jeff Kindel and outfielder Cole Garner.

Double-A Tulsa right-handers Ching-Lung Lo, Darren Clarke and Jarrett Grube and left-hander Sean Thompson will be with the Peoria Javalinas in the Arizona Fall League. It earlier was announced that outfielder Dexter Fowler, second baseman Corey Wimberly and third baseman/first baseman Christian Colonel will play for Peoria.

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