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COL@MIL: Guthrie goes seven innings vs. Brewers

The streaking Rockies look to keep up their winning ways in Game 2 of a three-game set against the D-backs on Tuesday at Chase Field. Colorado is 7-1 in its last eight games and a win Tuesday would give the team its third-straight series victory.

"We've been through our downs. Hopefully, we can keep this up," Dexter Fowler said after the Rockies took two of three against the National League West-leading Dodgers on Sunday.

The team hit the road for three games against the D-backs and started the series off with a 4-0 victory. It was the first time Arizona was shut out all season, and the Rockies' win snapped their five-game losing streak at Chase Field.

Jeremy Guthrie (3-3, 5.48 ERA) will take the mound on Tuesday hoping to build off that win. The righty has been a completely different pitcher on the road this year, giving up only six earned runs in 24 1/3 innings.

Guthrie will be opposed by Ian Kennedy (4-5, 4.26), who has struggled to put up the sort of numbers he delivered last year, when he won 21 games.

After posting a 3-0 record in April, Kennedy went 1-5 with a 5.02 ERA in May. The lone win came in his last start on May 30, when he only gave up one run against San Francisco.

In order to cool down the suddenly hot Rockies, the D-backs will need Kennedy to build off that win.

"It was unbelievable the way Ian got out there and he really battled for us," first baseman Paul Goldschmidt said after Kennedy's last start. "It was huge. That's why he's the ace."

D-backs: Goldschmidt extends streak
Goldschmidt hit a double in the first inning on Monday to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games.

"Goldy fought through what he was going through very well," manager Kirk Gibson said. "He's much more consistent, and you're seeing his power now. He's striking good pitches and not being overly anxious."

Gibson added Goldschmidt is putting pressure on pitchers, which is making is making it easier to have success.

The first baseman, who only had three home runs in May, has two in four games this month.

Rockies: Team interested in bringing back Francis
Former Rockies ace Jeff Francis is being looked at by his former team, which has injuries and struggles plaguing its rotation.

The lefty, who had a June 1 opt-out clause from his Minor League contract, asked for his release after making 12 starts for the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville.

"We are interested," general manager Dan O'Dowd said Monday. "I have no idea of the outcome of that interest."

In six seasons with the Rockies, Francis went 55-50 with his best season coming in 2007 during the team's run to the World Series.

Francis started 31 games for the Royals last season, but struggled and finished the year 6-16 with a 4.82 ERA.

Worth noting
• Kennedy threw a career-high 122 pitches in his last start.

• Guthrie is 1-2 with an 8.87 ERA in home starts this game, but on the road he is an impressive 2-1 with a 2.22 mark.

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