He is a menacing mass of muscle and hustle. Chris Iannetta swears he played other positions growing up. But one look at his body — broad shoulders, squatty legs — and it appears he was born to be a catcher.
The Rockies believe he can be an all-star someday. For that to happen, he has to hit. On a breezy, humidity-free Friday night along the Ohio River, Iannetta provided a stunning reminder of his power. His eighth-inning home run into the second deck not only clinched a 5-3 victory over the Reds, but steered the road trip back on track.
The win pulled the Rockies to within a half-game of the Giants in the wild-card standings pending their result later tonight.
Like most of his teammates, Iannetta stepped into the batter’s box battling a slump. He had one hit this week, sinking his average to .225. Watch him in the batting cage, and it’s hard to fathom that statistic.
Against David Weathers, he did something he hasn’t done enough of this season — punishing a mistake. With the score tied at 3-all, Iannetta smoked a hanging slider to fans who never thought they would get a souvenir. The estimated distance of his 12th home run was 435 feet. Throw in a wind gust and it might have reached Kentucky.
For good measure, center fielder Carlos Gonzalez swatted Weather’s very next pitch into the right-field seats for his second home run as a Rockie. It marked the sixth time the Rockies have gone back-to-back this season, the seventh time the Reds have been victimized by a double dose, and the 88th time one of their relievers has been booed off the mound.
The big swings helped camouflage some huge missteps early in the game. Reds’ right-hander Justin Lehr, making his first big-league appearance since 2006 and his first big-league start ever, walked six batters in five innings. Yet he slithered out of trouble, surrendering just three runs on a groundout, sacrifice fly and Troy Tulowitzki double.
Gripping a 3-1 lead, Aaron Cook, if only briefly, lost his clench. He surrendered consecutive home runs to Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. That deprived him of his eighth consecutive win, which would have tied Jeff Francis for the franchise record. Cook still left to a mini standing ovation from his personal fan section. Six bus loads of relatives and friends made the trip from nearby Hamilton see their favorite sons. Manager Jim Tracy and Cook received keys to the city before the game.
“It is special,” Tracy said.
Made even more so by the Rockies’ win.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
