John Grabow provided the Pirates' lone highlight of the early stages of the second half Friday night by pitching one scoreless inning in a 5-2 loss at Colorado. 

--RHP John Van Benschoten is expected to be recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to start Monday night at Houston. 

John Grabow provided the Pirates' lone highlight of the early stages of the second half Friday night by pitching one scoreless inning in a 5-2 loss at Colorado. 

--RHP John Van Benschoten is expected to be recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to start Monday night at Houston. 

The Colorado Rockies went into the All-Star break in one of their worst offensive funks of the season, but things have been much better since opening the second half of the season at home. 

Seth Smith was thinking extra bases when he left the batters box. 

Though the Pirates were one of only eight major league teams to get three days off for the All-Star break rather than four, manager John Russell was just thankful his relief pitchers had any chance at all to rest. 

--RHP Marino Salas was recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis for his third stint in the Pirates bullpen this season. 

MEDICAL WATCH: 1B Adam LaRoche (bruised right thumb) sat out July 13 but returned to the lineup July 17. 

Returning home to hitter-friendly Coors Field seemed to be just what the Colorado Rockies needed to spark their punchless offense. 

The Colorado Rockies expected Chris Iannetta to be their catcher of the future in 2007. 

The Colorado Rockies expected Chris Iannetta to be their catcher of the future in 2007. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled right-handed reliever Marino Salas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday to take the place of reliever Romulo Sanchez, who was optioned Sunday. 

Who's buying? Who's selling? Who'll win? Who'll flop? Tracy Ringolsby knows and breaks it all down in this second-half primer. 

The Colorado Rockies entered the 2007 All-Star break in fourth place in the NL West, but ended up in the World Series.