DETROIT — Throughout the Rockies’ ugly early season, veterans Todd Helton and Jason Marquis have played beautifully.
The two pillars stood tall again Saturday night, leading the Rockies to a much-needed 4-3 victory over the Tigers. Helton’s solo homer in the sixth off Armando Galarraga was the game-winner.
Marquis hung tough for 7-2/3 innings, limiting the Tigers to three runs (two earned) on six hits. He improved to 6-3. It was the sixth time in nine starts that he pitched at least seven innings.
Colorado, now 4-5 on its 10-game road trip, halted the Tigers’ seven-
game winning streak.
Huston Street nailed down the win, notching his sixth save and 100th of his career. It wasn’t easy. Street walked Magglio Ordoñez and pinch-hitter Jeff Larish before striking out Gerald Laird to end the drama.
On his game-winner, Helton attacked Galarraga’s 3-0 pitch, planting in deep into the right-field seats. It was Helton’s sixth homer, one shy of his total for all of last season. Even greater proof that a healthy back can work wonders is this stat: The home run gave Helton 29 RBIs in 143 at-bats. He finished last season with 29 RBIs in 299 at-bats.
Not all the news was good. Catcher Chris Iannetta strained his right hamstring in the sixth inning. He doubled and was looking to score from second on Garrett Atkins’ single. But as Iannetta rounded third, he pulled up lame and retreated to third. He was immediately pulled from the game, replaced by Yorvit Torrealba. Iannetta is officially listed as day to day, but a hamstring injury is especially tough on a catcher, so a trip to the disabled list is not out of the question.
Iannetta hit his eighth homer of the season in the second inning.
