In 2007, the Colorado Rockies finished the regular season by winning 14 of 15 games to leap from fourth place in the NL West into what would eventually become their first and only World Series appearance. Mile High Sports celebrates the anniversary of ‘Rocktober’ by recapping each game from each of those days ten years ago.
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October 12, 2007
ROCKIES 3, DIAMONDBACKS 2
After a back and forth affair that lasted 4 hours and 26 minutes, the Rockies came out on top in the eleventh inning to secure their ninth win in a row and give themselves a 2-0 series lead.
After first baseman Todd Helton reached on an error, right fielder Brad Hawpe singled to bring Helton to third. Then, catcher Yorvit Torrealba singled to bring home the first run of the game. The Diamondbacks answered in the third inning, tying the game at 1-1. In the fifth inning, the Rockies put runners on second and third, giving Helton the chance to hit a sacrifice fly, breaking the tie.
Closer Manny Corpas entered the game to try and finish, but blew the save after hitting a batter, giving up a single, and a fielding error allowed Arizona to manufacture a run and tie the game. Corpas stayed in through the tenth inning.
The Rockies started the 11th inning with a single by center fielder Ryan Spilborghs. Arizona pitcher Jose Valverde then walked three consecutive batters to give the Rockies a 3-2 lead. Rockier reliever Ryan Speier finished off the Diamondbacks in the bottom of the 11th with a one-two-three effort, giving the Rockies the win.
After 11 innings, the Rockies found themselves leading 2-0 in the series, with a nine-game winning streak. They returned to Coors Field, knowing that a pair of home games would allow them to potentially sweep the Diamondbacks and claim their first National League pennant in from of their home crowd.