Rockies 14, Giants 11: Offense explodes in roller coaster win

The Rockies overcame their biggest deficit of the season to win tonight, but you wouldn't suspect it by the final score.  That's what outscoring your opponent 13-3 over the last 36 outs will do.

Dexter Fowler gave Colorado a lead by tripling and scoring on a Todd Helton single in the first.  An early lead usually bodes well for the Rockies.  They lead the majors in win percentage when scoring first.  However, it looked early like the Rockies might lose in spite of scoring first for consecutive nights.

Jorge de la Rosa gave up 6 runs in the first four innings, including home runs to Nate Schierholtz and Ryan Garko as well as Joe Martinez' first two career hits.  Until Saturday night, the Rockies had not overcome a deficit of greater than four runs, and they seemed to be having trouble with Giants' starter Joe Martinez.

But man, is it ever good to have Troy Tulowitzki after he had the flu for, what, it was only one day?  They say as Tulo goes, so do the Rockies, and it seemed so in this one.  Looking at a five run deficit with just two hits in the first three innings, Troy Tulowitzki laced a  leadoff single in the fourth.  The Rockies went on to score twice.  Looking at a three run deficit, Troy Tulowitzki laced a  leadoff single in the sixth.  The Rockies then scored seven times.  Coincidence?   Maybe.  But I saw an offense than needed a jump start and Tulo sparked both big innings.

The 7-run 6th inning turned the game around.  The Rockies went from having a 15% chance of winning to 90% in that frame alone, and Colorado even gave an out away in the inning be getting in an ill-advised rundown.

In the inning, Tulo singled, Brad Hawpe singled and Ian Stewart hit his 19th home run to tie it.   Yorvit Torrealba singled, Seth Smith hit a walk-off triple, Carlos Gonzalez singled, Dexter Fowler tripled, and Todd Helton hit his 12th home run.

The offensive onslaught continued in the seventh inning, when the Rockies batted around for the second straight inning, highlighted by four walks and two singles.  The comeback occurred just in time to not only get Jorge de la Rosa (12-8, 4.76) off the hook, but the Rockies also gifted him his 12th win and 10th in 11 starts.  The lefty had a devil's line, allowing six runs on six hits in six innings.

Box Score

Notes

• The 14 runs were the most the Rockies have scored all season.  The last time they reached 14 was September 25, 2008 against the Giants at AT&T Park.
• Colorado has outscored opponents 95-40 in the sixth inning on the season.
• Todd Helton hit his first home run in exactly a month.  His last bomb was July 22 against Scott Schoeneweis of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• Ian Stewart's home run was his first in 20 days - his last was August 2 in Cincinnati off Bronson Arroyo.
• Ryan Garko hit his first and second home run of the year with the Giants.
• The Rockies batted around in both the 6th and 7th innings.
• Clint Barmes leads NL second basemen in extra base hits (hat tip to befizzle).  Yes, more than Chase Utley.  He didn't have an XBH in the game, however, he did steal two bases.  His 11 on the season are 5th among NL second-sackers.
• Matt Daley gave up back to back home runs to Ryan Garko and Aaron Rowand.  He has now allowed 5 runs in his last 1.2 IP after throwing 13.2 straight scoreless innings.
• Justin Miller and Merkin Valdez combined to allow 8 runs on 6 hits and 5 walks while only getting 4 outs.
• Dexter Fowler extended his streak of reaching base to seven plate appearances with a walk and triple.  He then popped out on a bunt, then tripled and walked again.  He has now reached base in 8 of 9 PA's.
• Every spot in the Rockies' order had at least one hit, and only spots #1 (Gonzalez), #3 (Helton, who had a HR), and #8 (Torrealba, 2 R, BB) failed to get at least two.  Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs each had RBI pinch hits from the 9-hole. 
• The Rockies won despite giving up 5 home runs.  I don't have a clue the last time that happened.
• Matt Herges made his first appearance as a Rockie this year, allowing two runs on a Pablo Sandoval home run.  Huston Street came on to close the game but was not credited with the save.
• Los Angeles won behind rookie knuckelballer Charlie Haeger, meaning the Rockies remain 4.5 games behind the Dodgers.

Join after the jump for the  fangraph and the row call.

Comment of the Night

You're kidding me.

by befizzle on Aug 22, 2009 8:06 PM MDT