On the same day a Mile High Sports Daily columnist lauded him for his ability to win at Coors Field, Jorge De La Rosa had one of his tougher outings of the year at home. The lefty allowed six runs on five hits in six innings, including a four-run first inning that set the tone for a difficult day on the hill for the Rockies.
De La Rosa and Gonzalez Germen combined to allow 8 runs in 6.1 innings before Christian Friedrich and Tommy Kahnle settled things down. Sadly, the pitching woes would continue later.
In the meanwhile, Nick Hundley came to bat with one out in the eighth and delivered a solo home run to bring the Rockies within three. Brandon Barnes walked and D.J. LeMahieu singled, with a Charlie Blackmon lineout sandwiched between them, to set the stage for one of the game’s most dramatic moments. Carlos Gonzalez came to bat with two out and two on, down by three, and sent a 1-0 89-mph change up from Tanner Scheppers into the left field bleachers to tie the game. Troy Tulowitzki struck out looking to end the inning.
The drama continued into the top of the ninth as John Axford allowed a leadoff walk – his second in as many appearances. Adrian Beltre followed with a single. After a Mitch Moreland strikeout, pinch hitter Prince Fielder was intentionally walked. Elvis Andrus delivered a ground ball base-hit through the drawn-in infield to score two. After a strikeout of Shin-Soo Choo, Axford allowed another walk, this time to Robinson Chirinos, and manager Walt Weiss made the move to Boone Logan to record the final out in the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth Shawn Tolleson retired the Rockies in order to earn the save.
In a side note, Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor fell a double short of Texas’ second consecutive cycle. Shin-Soo Choo completed the 306th cycle in MLB history on Tuesday against the Rockies.
Colorado resumes play on Friday at home against Cincinnati.
