"Listen up! Hands off! The Rockies are not dealing Ubaldo.

You don't trade Longs Peak for New York's Pocantico Hills and three knolls to be named later. You don't trade the Denver Mint for Boston baked beans. You don't trade the Platte for the three Pittsburgh rivers — Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria? Keep all your dirt, Texas, and all your lutefisk, Minnesota.

Ubaldo Jimenez belongs to Colorado. Like everyone else who lives here, Ubaldo wants to be here. And, hear this, here is where he must stay.

U The Man blazed to his sixth victory of the season Tuesday.

Doesn't seem like much? He is second among the Rockies' pitchers in wins this year. He has a 3-1 record this month, and is 6-3 for June and July (with an ERA less than 2.75 in that span), and he has found confidence, his array of pitches, the right locations and his Ubaldomojo.

Jimenez — who threw a no-hitter in Atlanta last season — threw his old wicked stuff (nine strikeouts) at the Braves last night. He permitted a couple of harmless homers after the Rockies took a 6-0 lead.

Jim Tracy removed Jimenez after 6 2/3 innings and 120 pitches. Ubaldo's work was done. The crowd arose for a standing ovation, and Jimenez sheepishly tipped his cap.

The ace is back a year later.

Smiling like a Cheshire cat afterward, Ubaldo was very pleased with his effort, "especially against the Braves, who had won five in a row." He told me he didn't think about the swirling trade talk "once I crossed the line to pitch. I'm sure I'll hear more about it after the game."

His fastballs timed during the game at 94 and 95 mph, still down a bit, but Tracy didn't care. "It was where he was throwing the fastball to both sides of the plate. . . . That was a very impressive performance."

Like vermin drawn to the light, major-league scouts from six to eight teams converged on the ballpark — and were drooling over the all-they- could-eat buffet in the press box, and the appearance of Jimenez as the starter."