The Colorado Rockies have advanced to baseball's post-season playoffs for the third time in club history and look to better their 2007 effort next week. Their unlikely wild-card berth occurred with a 9-2 rout of Milwaukee Thursday and followed an 18-28 start start to the season that led to the May 29 firing of Manager Clint Hurdle. The win over Milwaukee gave the Rockies a single-season franchise record 91 victories, making Hurdle's replacement, Jim Tracy, a likely Manager of the Year candidate. It's not the end of the journey, General Manager Dan O'Dowd told MLB.com.

Brad Hawpe's two-run homer keyed a three-run fifth inning Friday and Colorado stayed hot by disposing of Pittsburgh 7-3. Colorado has lost just once in its last 15 games and has a 16-5 record since Jim Tracy replaced Clint Hurdle as manager May 29.

The Colorado Rockies fired Manager Clint Hurdle Friday, two season after he guided the team to a National League pennant and its only World Series appearance. Following a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field this week, the Rockies sank to 18-28 and fifth place behind the NL West leaders. They were outscored by a combined 31-13 in LA's sweep. As a member of our organization for 16 years, the last seven as our Major League manager, Clint's character, integrity and knowledge has had a tremendous impact not only on our organization but our entire community, Rockies General Manager Dan O'Dowd said in a statement. Hurdle had a 534-625 record in seven-plus seasons with the Rockies. Bench coach Jim Tracy -- who formerly managed the Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates -- was named to succeed Hurdle.

By Tracy Ringolsby The All-Star Game counts. It can hurt, too. Ask the National League, now winless in the past 12 midseason matchups against the American League.

By Richard Justice, Houston Chronicle Jul. 16----Box score NEW YORK -- Scott Kazmir trotted in from the bullpen at 1:18 a.m. EDT, the last of 32 American League players to enter the 79th All-Star Game.