Iannetta and Helton lead supercharged comeback and walkoff win
There's only one thing the Rockies crazy streak has been lacking, at least when comparing to that other streak. There had been no dramatic-epic-come-from-behind-walk-off wins. No curtain calls or even many close games. Now the streak is complete.
Things looked rosy for the Rockies going into the sixth. Ian Stewart had just hit a 2 run home run off a tough lefty in Sean Burnett for a 4-2 lead, and Jason Hammel was cruising on his way to a career high fifth straight win. Hammel opened the seventh by allowing two singles and a walk, and Jim Tracy turned to Matt Daley. Rookie Andrew McCutchen promptly tripled just beyond the glove of Carlos Gonzalez in left center, and Nyjer Morgan followed with a single past the drawn in infield.
Alan Embree then shut the door by inducing a double play but allowed consecutive doubles in the eighth for a 7-4 lead. Joel Peralta turned in yet another strong performance in getting three outs and facing just two batters. Then the fireworks started.
John Grabow walked Brad Hawpe but made Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart look silly with two clutch strikeouts. Carlos Gonzalez rapped a solid single, then Chris Iannetta calmly turned an 0-2 pitch into a towering 3-run tying home run, his first home run to centerfield. He joined Tulowitzki and Hawpe in the 10 HR club during the series.
Huston Street worked through two baserunners in the ninth but got the win when the Rockies took the game in walk-off fashion in the ninth. Pinch-hitter extraordinaire Seth Smith pulled an 0-2 pitch for a single, and Todd Helton belted a majestic 2-run walk-off home run. A no doubter to deep right. Kind of reminds me of another night. Are you grinning like a fool now? Box Score
Notes
- The Rockies have now won 15 of their last 16 games. As far I can tell, that hasn't happened in any one regular season in franchise history. The last time it happened overall was Sep. 16, 2007 - April 1, 2008. Carlos Gonzalez has been with the team for all but one of the wins.
- Until Matt Daley allowed the 3-run double in the seventh, Jason Hammel had an ERA under 4.00. For a brief moment, the Rockies had three starting pitchers with sub-4.00 ERAs. The most they have ever finished a season with is two, in 2008.
- The win clinches a series win for the Rockies, giving them five straight series victories. They only had four all season preceding the streak.
- Colorado has now scored the second most runs in the National League and only trail Los Angeles and St.Louis (by two) in run differential in the Senior Circuit.
- The Rockies have won the last six games started by Jason Hammel.
- With losses by Cincinnati and Milwaukee, the Rockies moved to within two games of the wild card, tied for third place with the Cubs and Mets.
And for the most awesome WPA graph of the season:
WPA Heroes:
Ian Stewart (.427) - 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, K
Chris Iannetta (.378) - 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Todd Helton (.302) - 2-for-, HR, 2 RBI
WPA Zeroes:
Matt Daley (-.349) - 0.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 K, 3 inherited runners score
Jason Hammel (-.145) - 6.0+IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K
Quiet Star:
Joel Peralta quieted things down after Matt Daley and Alan Embree struggled in relief of Jason Hammel. He made a great play to get the lead runner on a bunt with two on and no out, picked off a runner and struck out a man. His gutsy performance set the stage for Iannetta and Helton.
Rowbot Roll Call
WolfMarauder, MohrPlease, coolopotamous, holly96, mkorpal, TulsaDriller, Mondogarage, AtkinsandTulofan, lizardlad01, Narcoleptico, Poseidon's Fist, rockies17_4, dogs, El Paso Jeff, Russ, Franchise26, fatheadX, Shoemaker, OrangeTorpedo, wolf213, theshiva, fantasyfencing, indianrox, Maris6161, Hizilla, walkoff59, SC Memphis Raines, DieHardRox, FooMan, purplesocks, Kaneda, JBauer6430, WalkInRight, befizzle.
No centurions tonight.
Comment of the night:
This is paralleling 2007 so much...
it’s kind of scaring me.
Notice their 2007 record after 68 games. WEIRD. They have had the same record as the 2007 team after each of the last seven games. Cue the creepy music.