Preston Wilson hit two home runs Friday night to help the Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-4.
Wilson had four hits and drove in three runs to pace the Rockies’ 18-hit attack. Clint Barmes had three hits and three RBIs, and Luis Gonzalez also had three hits.
Rookie Jeff Francis was the beneficiary and remained unbeaten at Coors Field. Francis (5-2) improved to 6-0 in seven career starts at home, striking out six over six innings.
“I felt comfortable out there,” the rookie left-hander said. “And the run support helped.”
He allowed four hits, including solo homers by Austin Kearns and Rich Aurilia.
“Jeff gave us what we needed most – a solid outing when two pitchers in our bullpen weren’t available,” Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. “To give up two runs in this park is something special.”
The game began 32 minutes late because of wind and rain. Several tornadoes touched down in the city before the first pitch, but the weather didn’t play a significant role thereafter.
The Rockies took control with a six-run sixth off relievers Ryan Wagner and Ricky Stone to take a 10-2 lead. Brad Hawpe had a pinch-hit two-run single in the inning and Barmes added a bloop RBI single.
Barmes gave the Rockies a 2-0 lead in the second with a two-run single to center off Eric Milton (3-7). The lefty gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings, raising his ERA to 7.06.
Kearns cut the lead to 2-1 with a shot leading off the fourth.
Wilson hit his first home run of the night leading off the fifth, and Garrett Atkins added an RBI double later in the inning.
Aurilia countered with a solo homer in the sixth to make it 4-2.
Wilson hit his second homer in the seventh, a two-run shot off Stone for a 12-2 lead.
“I started getting into a groove on the last road trip,” said Wilson, who has hit safely in seven of his last eight games. “I’m hitting the ball hard when I don’t get a hit.”
Jason LaRue extended his hitting streak to 11 with an RBI single in Cincinnati’s two-run eighth.
Notes
Reds outfielder Wily Mo Peña had a setback in the third game of his rehabilitation assignment at Louisville when he strained his left quadriceps muscle. … Rockies first baseman Todd Helton was a late scratch with flu-like symptoms. … Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook will make his scheduled rehab start Monday despite soreness in his throwing shoulder.
