sponsor


Homepage > Sports
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

Rockies Rally To Down Pirates

POSTED: 1:20 am EDT July 18, 2008

(Sports Network) - Chris Iannetta clubbed a two-run homer and the Colorado Rockies overcame a shaky beginning from Ubaldo Jimenez to down the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-3, in the opener of a four-game series at Coors Field.

Iannetta added an RBI single for the Rockies, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Jeff Baker doubled twice and knocked in a run, while Garrett Atkins finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Jimenez (5-9) went seven innings and allowed three runs on five hits to pick up the win. The 24-year-old right-hander has won three of his last four starts.

Paul Maholm (6-6) gave up five runs on eight hits and struck out seven to record his first lost since May 20 against Milwaukee. The lefty had won his last four decisions.

Adam LaRoche had two-run double for Pittsburgh, which has dropped three of its last four games.

Down 3-0, the Rockies narrowed the deficit with a pair of runs in the fourth. Willy Taveras singled to open the inning and Baker followed with an RBI double to right. It was the Rockies first run in 25 innings. After Maholm retired Matt Holliday and Atkins on grounders, Iannetta smacked a single to center to score Baker.

Colorado then pulled ahead in the sixth. Doubles by Baker and Atkins produced the tying run, then Iannetta drove the first pitch he saw -- shattering his bat in the process -- over the wall in left for a 5-3 lead.

"I don't know what to say," Maholm said. "I throw a first-pitch changeup away, he breaks his bat and hits it 10 rows deep."

Taylor Buchholz shut down the Pirates in the eighth and Brian Fuentes struck out the side in the ninth to notch his 15th save of the season and 100th of his career.

"You know, I never thought I would have more than 15 or 20 (saves)," Fuentes said. "It's not something I aspired to do when I got into baseball, but it's one of those addictive things. When you get a taste of it, that's all you want to do."

In the third inning, eight Pirates came to the plate as they broke open a scoreless game with a three-run surge. With one away in the frame, Nate McLouth hit a soft liner to left field that fell in for a single, then Jimenez plunked Freddy Sanchez. McLouth took third on Ryan Doumit's deep fly to right and scored when Jimenez uncorked his 14th wild pitch of the season.

After Jason Bay drew a walk, LaRoche stroked a two-run double to the alley in right-center. Doug Mientkiewicz then worked a four-pitch walk before a passed ball moved the runners to second and third, but Jimenez fanned Jose Bautista to end the inning.

Game Notes

The Pirates have lost each of their last four road games...Colorado left seven men on base, while the Pirates stranded five...Colorado's Clint Barmes had a triple and a double...Pittsburgh recalled pitcher Marino Salas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday...The Pirates took three of four games in their only visit to Coors Field last year from August 20-23...Pittsburgh's Ian Snell (3-7) and Colorado's Glendon Rusch (1-1) are scheduled to start on Friday.

HighSchoolPlaybook.com high school sports
Sinclair Expected To Compete For Starting QB Job   More

Gateway's Bell, Thomas Jefferson's DeCicco Honored By Maxpreps   More

Three WPIAL Wrestlers Repeat As Powerade Champs   More

Links We Like
Sponsored Content
Depression is more than just feeling sad. Find out its causes and how it can be treated. More

In many homes the kitchen is the focal point of the entire house. Keep your kitchen up to date and meet the needs of your family’s lifestyle. More

Setting goals is an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to making the most of your educational experience. More

The current economic climate in this country is making people feel quite unsure about their financial future. Learn how to weather the storm and make sound decisions with your money. More

Don’t be left out. Make the switch to Digital TV.
Sponsored Links

Online Degree Center

Find the Degree You Need to Succeed in your Career More