Rockies defeat Milwaukee Brewers behind Kevin Millwood

There's a technical term for the season the Rockies are counting down. It's called one of those years.

Whatever could have gone wrong did. Some players got hurt, others got demoted, and one very high-profile pitcher got traded.

There have been some bright spots, though. And one has come from the most unlikely of places: the twilight of Kevin Millwood's career.

Millwood was a has-been. He had packed up his truck and his 159 big-league wins in early August and was ready to call it a career. And then the Rockies called out of considerably more desperation than curiosity.

Long story short, Millwood, at 36, has been the team's steadiest starter since then. His latest solid effort came Wednesday night, when he allowed four hits and two runs in six innings in a 6-2 win over the Brewers.

"I knew right away, it was probably the last chance for me," Millwood said. "The whole key has been getting an opportunity and showing people I can still win at this level. I don't think the confidence ever waned on my side. Obviously, it did on a lot of other people's.

"To be taking advantage of the opportunity feels good. We'll see what happens."

Rockies manager Jim Tracy, when asked what he expected from Millwood, said: "Didn't know. But you never downplay the competitive nature of an individual. A guy who's as professional as this man is, there's an opportunity for him, a chance to resurrect himself, if you will."

Millwood (3-2) has gotten into the sixth inning in each of his seven starts. He has yet to work more than seven or fewer than 5 1/3 innings.

At this point, the Rockies have nothing to lose by inviting him to spring training.

And he's not alone. The Rockies could do worse than bringing back Mark Ellis to play second base and hit in the two hole. Ellis had four hits and scored two runs Wednesday.
The Brewers took a 1-0 lead on the first, but Carlos Gonzalez's two-run homer, his 26th, keyed a three-run third. Rookie catcher Wilin Rosario added a solo shot, the second of his career, in the fourth.

Both home runs came on the first pitch from Milwaukee starter Shaun Marcum (12-7).

CarGo's home run traveled an estimated 444 feet into the seats in right-center field.

Said Tracy: "He did a lot of really good things for us. He broke out his 1-iron tonight."