Philadelphia – A Rockie made history, but in a testament to the season, Colorado couldn’t make up ground.
Colorado has been resilient but possesses a frightening blind spot – one-run road games. With Taylor Buchholz pitching for the first time since Aug. 28, Ryan Howard spoiled his return with a 10th-inning RBI double in a dramatic 6-5 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
Monday’s loss dropped the Rockies to 3 ½ games back in the wild-card standings with 19 to play. The Rockies are 6-17 in one-run road games and had lost 10 straight before beating Brandon Webb nine days ago.
A Philadelphia fan base already seething over the Eagles’ loss grew irritable in the fifth inning, hardly anticipating a comeback. The Rockies’ Troy Tulowitzki blasted a low Kyle Lohse fastball into the center-field seats. It was his 20th home, eclipsing Ernie Banks for the most ever by a National League rookie shortstop. Tulowitzki received the souvenir.
When Matt Holliday strode to the plate, the memento appeared to take on added importance, contributing to a victory. Holliday, making a late push for the NL MVP award, turned a 94-mph Jose Mesa fastball into a seat-seeking missile. Tulowitzki exchanged a high-five as the two engaged in a finger-snap routine in celebration, adding some salsa to Holliday’s team-leading 27th home run.
If not in a vault, the Rockies’ 5-2 lead felt safe. Truth is, it should have been more because of disputed home run call on Yorvit Torrealba in the fourth inning. A fan admitted he interfered, but the ball was ruled a double instead of a grand slam, costing the Rockies two runs.
Ubaldo Jimenez delivered another terrific performance, tagged for just two runs in six innings. He lowered his ERA to 2.36 ERA over his past five outings. His lone mistake came on a questionable pitch to Howard. After overpowering the reigning MVP with 100 mph fastballs in two previous at-bats, Jimenez tried to sneak a changeup past him in the sixth. Howard deposited for his 38th home run.
The bullpen, armed with 14 relievers and long the team’s backbone, faltered in the seventh. After LaTroy Hawkins recorded two quick outs, he exited following a single, setting up Jeremy Affeldt to face left-hander Chase Utley. Affeldt has experienced more success against right-handers – a .268 average against compared .212 for lefties. He appeared to strike out Utley, but the second baseman worked a walk, leaving runners at the corners for Pat Burrell.
Arguably the NL’s best offensive player since July 2 – 20 home runs – Burrell crushed a 96-mph fastball that sounded as if he was going to leave the stadium. It landed just shy of the second deck, tying the score. Julio has fallen into a funk, hitters batting .462 (12-for-26) over his last six appearances.
Staff Writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
