SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jeff Francis is way ahead of schedule for the start of the Colorado Rockies’ season. Todd Helton could use a some more good at-bats.

Francis pitched four shutout inning Tuesday and Helton had his first hit and RBI as the Rockies beat the Cubs, 6-3, to snap a three-game losing streak.

“I threw a couple of nice curveballs early and then was able to speed it up later in the count, and that worked very well,” said Francis who has not allowed a run and only six hits in nine innings. “Now I can work on some other pitches in my other starts.”