Jason Hammel, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez draw starting assignments for first three spring training games later this week.

The Colorado Rockies enter 2010 with a bullpen that, like the team’s starting rotation, could be the most stable in franchise history. The late-innings trio returns intact while the rest of the bullpen will be comprised of 2009 holdovers, veterans returning from injuries and a pack of young arms trying to find a way to stick in the major leagues.

Phillies strike for three in ninth against Rockies closer to move on to NLCS and end Rockies season

Junking his sinker helped Hammel become more consistent and put him on a path to a spot in the postseason rotation

Rockies win fifth straight and are one game behind the Dodgers with two to play as Jimenez wins 15th game and he and Betancourt combine to strike out Manny Ramirez four times

Chris Iannetta, the Colorado Rockies’ forgotten catcher, played hero with a walkoff two-run home run in the 11th inning to pick up Huston Street, who blew his first save since June 2. The Rockies’ magic number drops to three with the win and the Atlanta Braves’ loss to Florida.

The Colorado Rockies gutted out a tough win in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals behind a defensive gem from Clint Barmes and a six-out save from Huston Street. The Rockies remain 2 1/2 games up in the wild-card standings.

The Colorado Rockies failed to capitalize on a fast start provided by a Troy Tulowitzki three-run home run and fell to the San Diego Padres, who came from behind to again play spoiler.

The Colorado Rockies squeezed out just enough base hits against Dan Haren and the Arizona Diamondbacks to pick up a game in the wild-card standings on the Giants, Braves and Marlins, who all lost.

The road trip struggles continued for the Colorado Rockies, who got off to a fast start against the Arizona Diamondbacks but blew a 4-1 lead in the opener of a three-game series.

The Colorado Rockies had trouble with every San Diego pitcher except the closer, finally breaking through the Padres’ committee of relievers with a four-run ninth against Heath Bell. With the come-from-behind win, the Rockies extended their lead in the wild-card standings to 5 1/2 games and stayed two behind the Dodgers.

Smith’s walk-off, two-run single gives Rockies sixth straight win, four-game lead over the Giants in wild-card race and 8-1 record on homestand that ends Thursday