DETROIT — Add another twist — and another loss — to the Rockies’ 2008 not-so-magical mystery tour.
Today at Comerica Park, the sizzling Tigers beat the Rockies 4-3 for their 17th win in their last 21 games.
The Rockies’ seventh straight loss, the eighth in their last nine games, turned on a decision by Rockies manager Clint Hurdle in the sixth inning.
The Rockies held a 3-2 lead, but the Tigers had runners at first and third with two outs. Rather than stick with starter Greg Reynolds, Hurdle called on reliever Matt Herges. Herges promptly served up a two-run triple to Detroit catcher Dane Sardinha. It was Sardinha’s first big-league hit, and it turned out to be the game-winner.
In his 5 2/3 innings, Reynolds was charged with four runs on 10 hits, but he showed ability to escape trouble. He had thrown 90 pitches when he got the hook.
Early on, it looked like the rookie right-hander might not even escape the first inning. Four of the first five Tigers he faced laced hard singles, putting the Tigers ahead, 2-0. Next, Detroit designated hitter Gary Sheffield tattooed a ball directly into third baseman Garrett Atkins’ glove. Atkins stepped on third to double-up Miguel Cabrera for an inning-ending double play.
From that point on, until he ran into trouble in the sixth, Reynolds controlled a red-hot Tigers lineup that came in hitting .315 and had scored 111 runs during the previous 20 games.
The Rockies took a 3-2 lead in the second, fueled by Troy Tulowitzki’s two-run homer. Jeff Baker led off with a double and scored on Yorvit Torrealba’s single to right. Up stepped Tulowtzki, who hadn’t hit a home run since April 23. He muscled a 354-foot fly ball over the wall and just out of the reach of left fielder Marcus Thames.
In what has become standard operating procedure for the Rockies this season, they wasted chances to break the game open. In the third, they loaded the bases with no outs against Detroit starter Kenny Rogers. But Jeff Baker, swinging at the first pitch, popped out to second for out No. 1. Next, Clint Barmes bounced the ball back to Rogers, who turned an inning-ending home-to-first double play.
In the fourth, with two on and one out, Todd Helton grounded to first for another rally-killing double play. Helton went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. In his last 19 games, Helton’s average has plummeted from .295 to .264.
Winless on their six-game road trip, the Rockies return home to face the Padres on Monday night at Coors Field.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
