(From The My Sportsbook - All Times Eastern)

PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS

May 17, 8:35 p.m. - Noah Lowry (1-4) vs. Joe Kennedy (1-4)

May 18, 7:05 p.m. - Brad Hennessey (2-0) vs. Shawn Chacon (1-3)

May 19, 3:05 p.m. - Brett Tomko (3-5) vs. Jeff Francis (3-1)

2005 SEASON SERIES: San Francisco leads, 5-1.

SAN FRANCISCO (18-19)

San Francisco lefty Noah Lowry will attempt to stop a four- decision losing streak in the series opener. Since winning his second start of the season against these Rockies here at Coors Field, Lowry is 0-4 over five starts. The southpaw took the loss last Wednesday against Pittsburgh, giving up four hits and four runs over seven innings of an eventual 7-2 defeat. Lowry struck out seven and didn't walk anyone in the game.

San Francisco has lost two straight and four of its last six, including the final two of its four-game set against Houston over the weekend. The Giants suffered a 9-0 beating at the hands of the Astros on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Jeff Fassero (0-1) started his second straight game and was touched for five runs and five hits in three innings. Fassero has moved out of the bullpen with Giants ace Jason Schmidt on the disabled list.

The Giants, who have dropped four of their last six games, moved just one runner past second base. Omar Vizquel, Moises Alou, Ray Durham and Michael Tucker posted a hit apiece in the game. San Francisco has only scored one run in its last 19 innings.

Scott Eyre twirled a scoreless inning of relief, giving him scoreless outings in 13 of his last 14 efforts. Eyre has allowed just two earned runs in his last 8 2/3 innings.

San Francisco, which is in the middle of a seven-game road trip, is 8-9 in foreign ballparks this season.

COLORADO (10-25)

Colorado will have lefthander Joe Kennedy on the mound in the opener. Kennedy has dropped three straight starts and four of his last five overall. The lefty suffered a tough luck loss to Florida on May 6, giving up seven hits and three runs over five innings of action. Kennedy has had 11 days rest due to bone bruise in his left ankle suffered when he took a hard-hit ball off his ankle.

The Rockies have dropped three of their last four games, including a 5-4 defeat to Arizona on Sunday. Preston Wilson went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI for Colorado in the loss. No other Rockie managed multiple hits in the contest.

Clint Barmes ended 1-for-4 to extend his hit streak to 11 games, while Garrett Atkins added his second home run for Colorado. Barmes and Juan Pierre (2000) are the only players in Rockies history with two hitting streaks of 10 or more games.

Colorado starter Jason Jennings (1-5) suffered the loss, yielding four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked three.

If he plays tonight, first baseman Todd Helton will move into first place in Rockies history in games played. He and Larry Walker (1995-2004) are tied at 1,170.

Colorado, which is in the middle of a 10-game homestand, is 8-10 in its friendly confines this season.