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7-4-08
Spilborghs rescues Rockies in extra innings against Marlins
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single in the bottom
of the 11th inning lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 6-5 win over the Florida
Marlins in the opener of a four-game set at Coors Field.
The Rockies threatened
in the bottom of the 10th. Justin Miller issued a lead- off walk to Spilborghs,
who stole second when Clint Barmes struck out swinging. After Matt Holliday
was intentionally walked, Joe Nelson entered from the bullpen and got
Garrett Atkins to pop out in foul territory. Third baseman Wes Helms then
made a game-saving stop on a grounder hit by Jeff Baker and flipped to
second to get the force out.
Matt Herges clipped
Jorge Cantu with a pitch to begin the top of the 11th. After Josh Willingham
grounded into a fielder's choice and Helms lined out, Cody Ross produced
the go-ahead run by slicing a double to the wall in left- center.
Kevin Gregg came on
to protect the lead in the bottom half and issued a free pass to Yorvit
Torrealba. Scott Podsednik then bunted and Gregg's throwing error put
runners on second and third. After Troy Tulowitzki drew a walk to load
the bases, pinch-hitter Omar Quintanilla hit a slow roller to second baseman
Alfredo Amezaga, who came home with the throw. Spilborghs then lined a
single to left-center field to win the game.
"Yeah, it was
fun to win a game in dramatic fashion in front of a sold-out crowd, but
it's still a win and it whether in front of a sold-out crowd, or two people,
it would have felt great," said Spilborghs.
Baker belted a two-run
homer and finished with four RBI for Colorado, which has won three straight
on the heels of an eight-game skid. Barmes finished 2-for-4 with a double
and two runs scored, while Atkins had two hits and scored once.
"I was just trying
to have good at-bats, and get guys in," said Baker. "Fortunately,
I had guys on, I put the ball in play, and tried to get some stuff done."
Mark Redman allowed
two runs on six hits over six innings in his first start for Colorado
since May 6. The veteran lefty was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs
on Wednesday after starter Jeff Francis was placed on the 15- day disabled
list with shoulder inflammation.
Taylor Buchholz gave
up two runs in his one inning of relief. Herges (3-3) picked up the win
despite surrendering the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th.
Cantu clubbed a two-run
homer for the Marlins, who have dropped two of their last three games.
Ross finished with three hits, while Hanley Ramirez went 2- for-5 to extend
his hitting streak to 10 games.
Andrew Miller gave
up three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 6 2/3
innings for Florida, which opened a season-long 11-game road trip. Logan
Kensing allowed a run, while Gregg (6-3) blew his fifth save of the season.
"Second and third,
nobody out," said Gregg about his error. "That's not an easy
situation to get out of. (The error) Cost us the game right there."
Three consecutive
singles by Ross, Robert Andino and Paul Hoover with one away in the top
of the second put the Marlins on the board. Andrew Miller then laid down
a sacrifice bunt to plate Andino.
Colorado quickly evened
the score in the home half on Baker's two-run homer.
Barmes drew a walk
to lead off the sixth, advanced to third on a base hit by Atkins and scored
on Baker's groundout.
Trailing 3-2 in the
top of the eighth, Jeremy Hermida stroked a single off Buchholz to prolong
the frame before Cantu hammered a 2-1 curveball deep to the seats in left
field to give Florida the lead.
The advantage was
short-lived as Colorado knotted the score in the bottom half on Baker's
sacrifice fly.
Game Notes
Redman, who won a
career-best 14 games with the Marlins in their championship season of
2003, is 0-1 lifetime in five starts against his former club...Before
the game, Florida recalled pitcher Taylor Tankersley from Triple-A Albuquerque...The
Rockies left nine men on base, while Florida stranded six...Florida's
Scott Olsen (4-4) and Colorado's Greg Reynolds (2-6) are scheduled to
start on Friday.
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