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 15, 2007
ROCKIES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 4
The Rockies won their 11th game in a row for the second time in 23 games. They had also clinched their first World Series berth in franchise history. A six-run fourth inning was all the Rockies needed as they fended off a late-inning rally by the Diamondbacks to clinch the sweep.
Starting pitcher Franklin Morales went four innings, giving up a run in the third inning on a single by Arizona first baseman Conor Jackson, scoring pitcher Micah Owings. The Rockies responded in the fourth, after Owings walked right fielder Brad Hawpe and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Pinch-hitter Seth Smith started the scoring rally with a double, scoring both Hawpe and Tulowitzki. Center fielder Willy Taveras reached on an error, advancing Smith, before second baseman Kazuo Matsui’s single would score Smith. Matt Holliday finished the rally with a three-run home run, putting the Rockies up 6-1.
In the eighth inning, setup pitcher Brian Fuentes ran into some trouble, allowing two singles and a home run to bring the Diamondbacks within two runs. After giving up a follow-up triple, closer Manny Corpas entered the game. Corpas struck out the next batter to end the eighth, and faced four batters in the ninth to close out the game and get the win.
The Rockies had done the unthinkable. After winning 22 of 23 games, the Rockies had rallied from fourth place in the National League West all the way to a World Series berth. The Rockies traveled to Boston nine days later to face off against the Red Sox in their first chance at a world championship.