For much of 2006, the bottom of the Rockies’ order has been a place where potential runs curled up and died.
But as summer gives way to a chilly fall, things are changing.
Powered by the rookie trio of Jeff Baker, Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta, the Rockies survived a late Braves rally to win 10-9 Saturday at Coors Field.
In the ninth, with Atlanta’s Willy Aybar on second with the tying run, closer Brian Fuentes struck out Todd Pratt to end the game. Although Fuentes gave up a leadoff double to Andruw Jones and a run-scoring single to Aybar, he escaped by striking out the side for his 28th save.
Before Colorado’s bullpen collapsed, giving up four runs in the last three innings, the night belonged to the rookies. Baker, batting sixth, was 2-for-5 with a run-scoring double. The right fielder has driven in 17 runs in his last 10 games.
“Our job is to drive in runs and that’s what we’re doing right now,” Baker said. “It think it’s just a matter of getting comfortable with your swing and going out there and letting your talent show up.”
Batting seventh, Tulowitzki showed timely hitting, drilling a run-scoring double over Jones’ head in deep center in the second and hitting an RBI single in the third. The shortstop had just two RBIs in his previous 19 games.
Iannetta, batting eighth, was 1-for-3. The catcher is batting .395 in his last 11 games, with seven ribbies.
“Tulowitzki showed up big tonight with RBIs in his first two at-bats,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “And Iannetta continues to give us good at-bats. It’s been a very good look, it’s been a promising look.”
Even starting pitcher Jeff Francis got into the act, slashing a two-run single in the second. He also made history, winning the 30th game of his career to become the winningest left-handed pitcher in club history, surpassing Brian Bohanon.
“I think to hold any record like that is an accomplishment,” Francis said. “It’s flattering that people even talk about it, so hopefully there is more to come.”
Francis, however, was nowhere near his best on the mound. “I had trouble commanding my fastball, I couldn’t get ahead of hitters,” said Francis, who improved to 13-11.
Atlanta drilled Francis for five runs on nine hits in five innings, including Jones’ 428-foot solo blast in the third. Jones was 4-for-4, adding another solo homer in the seventh, this time off reliever Jose Mesa. For Jones – who has 39 home runs this season, including five in his last six games – it was the 35th multihomer game of his career.
“We’ll be glad to see him leave town,” Hurdle said. “He’s done a lot of trotting since he’s been here. Every time I looked up, the ball was bouncing off a wall.”
Though Francis struggled, he pitched better than Atlanta starter Kyle Davies, battered for nine runs on 12 hits in 2 1/3 innings.
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
