In 10 full seasons in the big leagues, Todd Helton has never been to the playoffs, and his chance this year is more a dream than a reality. But that didn’t stop Sunday afternoon’s game from going into his memory book.
First and foremost, the Rockies pounded the Marlins 13-0 behind a shutdown performance from rookie left-hander Franklin Morales. The win broke a three-game losing streak, resuscitating Colorado’s faint postseason hopes.
“With the situation we’re in as a team, getting the win was the most important thing,” Helton said.
But not as stirring as the 382-foot, three-run homer Helton launched in the fifth inning. It was the 300th homer of his career.
“It’s just more fingerprints on his very elite position in the game,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “You knock on wood and pull for him to end up in the Hall of Fame. He’s what the game needs.”
The swing was vintage Helton. He picked up his front foot slightly, coiled his bat and unleashed a powerful stroke, driving Mauro Zarate’s 0-1 pitch into the seats beyond right field. The feat inspired the sparse Coors Field crowd of 19,161 to roar until Helton finally emerged from the dugout to deliver an aw-shucks curtain call.
“That’s the first curtain call I’ve ever had here,” Helton said. “It was pretty neat and special, they did it up right.”
His 300 homers are easily the most in franchise history. Larry Walker’s 258 rank second.
“That’s a lot of home runs and I’m very proud of it,” said Helton, who has hit just 14 this season. “I wish I had more this year. But you go out and do the best you can do.”
After losing three straight games in which they were outscored 29-12, the Rockies finally played like a team in the postseason hunt. But it’s probably too late.
With 13 games remaining, the Rockies remain 4 1/2 games behind San Diego in the wild-card race. The Padres beat the Giants 5-1 Sunday. Philadelphia beat the New York Mets 10-6 to remain 1 1/2 games behind the Padres and three games ahead of the Rockies. The Dodgers are 2 1/2 games out in the wild-card race, two games ahead of the Rockies. The Dodgers and Rockies begin a critical four-game series with a doubleheader Tuesday at Coors Field.
Helton’s homer was the pièce de résistance to a Sunday afternoon frolic. All told, the Rockies banged out 20 hits, including four homers.
Colorado also received a memorable performance from the 21-year-old Morales. The Venezuelan allowed no runs and just three hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
He got an early boost when Garrett Atkins led off the second with a solo shot, followed by a three-run blast from rookie catcher Chris Iannetta, producing an early 4-0 lead.
Matt Holliday’s two-run homer in the fourth barely crawled over the left-field fence, then bounced back onto the field, prompting the umpires to huddle until they granted Holliday his 32nd homer of the season. Holliday was 4-for-5, coming up a triple short of the cycle, and he raised his average to .334.
Home run rundown
Rockies first baseman Todd Helton hit the 300th home run of his career Sunday in the Rockies’ 13-0 victory over the Marlins. The particulars on Helton:
* He is the first major-leaguer to begin his career as late as 1997 and hit 300 homers.
* He is the Rockies’ all-time home run leader. Larry Walker is second with 258 and Vinny Castilla third with 239.
* He ranks 114th on baseball’s all-time home run list, tied with Chuck Klein.
* He is the 10th active left-handed batter to reach 300 HRs.
(Source: Colorado Rockies)
Staff writer Patrick Saunderscan be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
