Right-hander Tyler Chatwood threw many good pitches over 5 2/3 innings Saturday night, but even his worst pitch worked out for the Rockies in their 10-2 victory over the Giants at Coors Field.

The Rockies need right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio to take a step forward when he faces the Giants in Sunday afternoon's finale of the four-game set at Coors Field, and they hope veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba can give him a push.

Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer was happy enough with his throwing and hitting in the batting cage that he believes he will be ready to return from his neck injury Friday, the day he is eligible to return from the 15-day disabled list.

Rockies right-hander Matt Belisle has given up six runs in his last five outings, including Friday night's Buster Posey home run in the eighth inning. But manager Walt Weiss said he believes Belisle (1-2, 4.22 ERA) is in a good place.

Troy Tulowitzki hates sitting out of games when he's not seriously injured. But now he knows it was the right decision when the team made sure he missed three starts in a five-game stretch early this month with left groin inflammation.

With his opportunities dwindling, Rockies right-hander Juan Nicasio will look to turn things around Sunday when he takes the mound against Barry Zito and the Giants as the two clubs conclude their National League West series.

Twice this month, the Yankees have traded with the Rockies for a reserve infielder. New York acquired Reid Brignac from Colorado for cash considerations on Saturday.

Jordan Pacheco's grand slam helped the Rockies end their 10-game losing streak against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night, 10-9, though they nearly squandered a five-run lead at Coors Field.

Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood left a stunning last impression the last time he was in the Majors -- six scoreless innings in a 12-2 victory over the Dodgers on April 29. Now the Rockies are counting on him to do the same Saturday.

By calling up Tyler Chatwood to pitch Saturday, the Rockies will give right-hander Juan Nicasio an extra day's rest. Nicasio, who has struggled on and off this season, will start Sunday in the finale of the four-game set with the Giants.

Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis, placed on the disabled list Thursday with a left groin strain, rode a stationary bike and did some throwing Friday in an effort to stay sharp and possibly shorten his time out of action.

The consecutive second-inning home runs Thursday by Rockies veteran first baseman Todd Helton and rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado produced some age-difference trivia.

The Rockies erupted with three home runs through the first three innings, staking themselves to a 6-0 lead only to see it fade into an 8-6 defeat.

Starting pitcher Jon Garland was upset about coming out of the game after five innings Wednesday in Chicago, feeling that he's ready for deeper pitch counts.

From DJ LeMahieu's perspective, Thursday's callup from Triple-A Colorado Springs was about 40 games overdue.

Left-hander Jeff Francis, who pitched six sterling innings of one-run ball against the Cubs on Tuesday, went on the disabled list Thursday with a left groin strain.

The Rockies built their confidence with a 17-hit, 9-4 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday night, and had a chance Wednesday to finish .500 on their road trip before losing, 6-3. But the first big stretch begins this weekend with four games against the defending World Series champion Giants at Coors Field.

Count the quality start as one of baseball's most maligned measurements. The minimum standard -- six innings and three earned runs -- computes to a 4.50 ERA, which is the quality of the back of the rotation. But when a team isn't meeting that standard consistently, like the 2012 Rockies, it means a lot.

Tuesday night's 9-4 victory over the Cubs wasn't in doubt, but things could have become hairy after two errors led to a mini Cubs rally in the eighth. But Rockies rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado quieted that by diving toward the line and making a strong throw to beat Alfonso Soriano to end the inning.

Rockies right-hander Jon Garland pitched five innings and watched four Wednesday night. That was way too much time as a spectator, as far as he was concerned. He gave up three runs and two homers, including a two-run shot to Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija, and took his fourth loss in five starts, 6-3, at Wrigley Field in front of 38,083.