Behind another gutsy start by starter Jason Marquis, clutch hits from Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe, and two costly throwing errors by Mariners reliever Mark Lowe, the Rockies eked out a 5-3 win Saturday night at Coors Field.
It was Colorado’s 10th consecutive victory, the second-best streak in franchise history, trailing only the 11-game run during their storybook 2007 season.
No. 10 wasn’t locked up until closer Huston Street struck out Endy Chavez with two men on for his 13th save.
The Rockies came to bat in the eighth with the game tied 3-all and watched the Mariners implode and surrender two unearned runs.
Troy Tulowitzki pool-cued a ball to the third-base side of the mound where Lowe grabbed the ball and threw wildly to first, allowing Tulowitzki to advance to second. Tulowitzki moved to third on another squibber back to Lowe, this time by Carlos Gonzalez. Lowe’s throw to third to try and nail Tulowitzki was off the mark. Given that gift, Chris Iannetta hit a sacrifice fly to right, driving in the winning run.
Two walks by Lowe, and a sacrifice fly by Clint Barmes completed the ugly inning.
The Rockies had established what looked like a safe 3-1 lead in the seventh on a run-scoring single by Todd Helton that drove in Seth Smith, followed by Brad Hawpe’s double off the right-center field wall that allowed Helton to cruise home.
But that lead vanished in a flash in the eighth. Ken Griffey Jr. drew a walk off setup man Manny Corpas before Jose Lopez lined Corpas’ next pitch to left for a two-run homer.
Marquis, the sinkerballer extraordinaire, allowed one run on seven hits in seven innings. He was on pace to win his National League-leading ninth game until the Mariners broke through against Corpas in the eighth.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
