It looked like the Rockies were going to play yet another one-run game, just as they had in five of their previous seven games. And then Carlos Lee stepped up Wednesday night and hit a grand slam that, if you wait five minutes, might land. Or not.
The Rockies and Houston Astros were locked up in a 2-2 game at Coors Field when Matt Belisle served up the 15th grand slam of Lee’s career, a towering drive to left field that gave the Astros a 6-2 win in 10 innings.
One night earlier, the Rockies had scored three runs in the first inning, only to get shut out for the next eight innings. This time, they scored once in the first and once in the sixth.
That was it. Two runs. At Coors Field. Yes, manager Jim Tracy is growing weary of his team’s low-octane offense.
“For me to sit here and tell you it’s not a concern, I’m lying to you, and I don’t make a habit of doing that with anyone,” Tracy said. “It is a concern. I also know how good this team will be if that situation improves.”
It didn’t Wednesday. Instead, the Rockies lost their 12th one-run game out of 20. Tracy used a lineup that included Jonathan Herrera at second base, Melvin Mora at first base and Chris Iannetta behind the plate, but it didn’t shake the Rockies out of their hitting funk.
Astros starter Felipe Paulino is used to low-scoring games. He went into the game 1-7, but his ERA was a respectable 4.01. How could that be? Paulino has received the lowest run support in the majors over the past two seasons at 2.35 runs per.
Like Paulino, Aaron Cook wasn’t around to get a decision. Cook (2-3, 4.76) scattered five hits and allowed two runs in seven innings. The Astros had won seven out of 10 and were hitting an NL-leading .290 in June, but Cook shut them out for the first four innings.
Humberto Quintero led off the fifth with a single to right, setting the stage for a two-run rally. Tommy Manzella followed with another single and both runners advanced when Cook’s throw to third on Felipe Paulino’s sacrifice bunt was too late to get Quintero.
Michael Bourn singled up the middle for one run and Manzella scored moments later when Jeff Keppinger grounded into a double play, giving Houston a 2-1 lead.
The lead lasted one inning as Brad Hawpe lined a double down the right-field line to score Jonathan Herrera in the sixth.
Jim Armstrong: 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com
