Remembering Rocktober: NLCS Game #1

Jeff Francis went 1-1 in three starts against the Arizona Diamonbacks during the 2007 regular season. He had a 2.84 ERA in 19 IP. Brandon Webb had a 1-3 record in six starts against the Colorado Rockies. In 3 IP, Webb posted a 5.77 ERA, allowed 26 runs on 43 hits, and walked 17 Rockies. The Rockies were the only team to put a dent into what turned out to be a Cy Young runner-up season for Webb. Jeff Francis and Brandon Webb faced each other to start the series.

Once again, the Rockies took advantage of Brandon Webb. Though the D'Backs took the lead in the bottom of the first on an Eric Byrnes double, the Rockies answered back in each of the next two innings. One run scored when Troy Tulowitzki hit into a bases-loaded double play in the second inning. The third inning opened the gates. Kazuo Matsui opened the scoring with an RBI single, and Brad Hawpe had a two-run single to make the score 4-1. When both starters were done, Jeff Francis came out ahead. He went 6 2/3 innings and allowed only a run. Brandon Webb was charged with all four runs in six innings of work.

The Rockies added the fifth run when Kazuo Matsui reached on an error. Yorvit Torrealba, who reached base that game via the walk and moved over to third by the time Matsui was at the plate, scored. Then came the most memorable moment in the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jeff Francis allowed a leadoff double to Chris Snyder. Stepping to the plate was Justin Upton. Francis hit Upton, sending him to first. Augie Ojeda promptly hit into a double play. Justin Upton slid right into Matsui's legs, which led the umpire to call interference. Then Arizona fans started throwing bottle on to the field. Well, those few in what was already a small crowd (who came up with such an early time for that game?).

Oh, and Miguel Montero made the last out of the game when he slid past second on his double.

The Rockies kept on winning.