Last year, the Rockies derailed Arizona’s ride to the World Series. On Friday night, they dealt a serious blow to the Diamondbacks’ chances of making the playoffs this season.
Jorge De La Rosa threw six solid innings, Chris Iannetta and Clint Barmes homered and the Rockies hurt the Diamondbacks’ hopes for the NL West title with a 3-2 victory.
The loss ended the Diamondbacks’ four-game winning streak and put a dent in their chances of catching the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division. Arizona came into the game 3-1/2 games behind the Dodgers with 10 games to go. The Dodgers hosted the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
“We have to win every game,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. “That has to be our mind-set. When we lose a game, it’s difficult, but we’ve got to put it past us.”
Three weeks ago, the Diamondbacks had a 4-1/2-game lead in the division, but lost 11-of-14 before sweeping the Giants at home last week. Arizona had held at least a share of the NL West lead from April 6 through Sept. 6.
The Rockies, who swept the Diamondbacks in the NL Championship Series last year, are reduced to a spoiler role this season.
“Obviously we’d like to be in a little better situation and have these games mean a lot more,” Barmes said. “I don’t think anyone here is going to show up and go through the motions. We’re going to try to win and finish the season strong.”
Garrett Atkins had three hits for the Rockies. Adam Dunn homered and had two hits for Arizona, and Mark Reynolds also homered.
Trailing 3-1 entering the ninth, Arizona rallied against Colorado closer Brian Fuentes. Reynolds hit his 28th home run with one out, Chris Snyder singled and David Eckstein was hit by a pitch. Pinch-hitter Tony Clark struck out and Stephen Drew walked to load the bases. Fuentes struck out Chris Young for his 29th save in 33 chances.
“I was struggling for command and I think they knew it,” Fuentes said. “I was trying to throw strikes and not leave it over the plate.”
The Diamondbacks had other chances to get their fifth straight win. They loaded the bases in the fourth and didn’t score, and in the eighth Young led off with a single but was doubled off first when Atkins snared Conor Jackson’s line drive down the line.
De La Rosa (9-8) struck out six, walked three and allowed three hits while continuing a strong stretch by Colorado pitchers. The Rockies have allowed just three earned runs in 26-1/3 innings.
