That perception of the Colorado Rockies as an all-offense, pitching-optional baseball club? I think Ubaldo Jiménez may have changed that tonight.

Jiménez threw a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves, striking out seven and walking six, and getting the final out on a Brian McCann chopper to Clint Barmes on his 128th pitch. It's the first no-hitter in Rockies history, the first no-hitter of the MLB season and the decade, and the second no-hitter at Turner Field.

And for Jiménez, who has been magnificent over the last two years, with sub-4.00 ERAs despite having to make his home starts at Coors Field, it should be a loud announcement to the baseball world. He got help -- Dexter Fowler robbed Troy Glaus of a hit with a great catch in the seventh inning -- but mostly, Jiménez befuddled a strong Braves lineup and certainly earned his no-no in the ninth, retiring MLB batting leader Martin Prado, Chipper Jones, and McCann in order to seal the deal.

With this no-hitter, he should also earn some respect, for himself and the Rockies' rising pitching staff.

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