After losing 95 games in 2005 with a large crop of rookies playing regularly, the Colorado Rockies are 31-32 this season. That's good enough to be within four games of first place in the suspect National League West. Keep in mind that the 2005 Rockies were much like the 2006 Marlins, playing first-year players all over the diamond as well as on the mound. What can be said of the team's turnaround? The young trio of Matt Holliday, Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins has built on its 2005 success. What is even more remarkable is a young Rockies pitching staff that has posted a 4.41 ERA so far in 2006. That's more than a half-run better than any full-season team ERA in the franchise's history. Equally impressive is the 4.64 staff ERA posted at Coors Field. The Rockies have never posted a team ERA below 5.00 over a full season in Denver, but this year's staff has a chance to improve upon the 5.07 mark that is a franchise record set by the 2003 club. The stars of the rotation have been 25-year-old left-hander Jeff Francis (5-5, 3.76 ERA) and 27-year-old right-hander Aaron Cook (5-6, 3.75 ERA). The bullpen has been solid with closer Brian Fuentes (14 saves and 2.36 ERA), rookie right-hander Ramon Ramirez (2.28 ERA) and veterans Jose Mesa (2.67 ERA) and Ray King (2.76 ERA) leading the way. A year ago, the Rockies looked light years away from being a .500 team. This spring they provide hope for a faster turnaround than expected for the rebuilding Marlins.