NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">NL AT ARIZONA - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: R Speier relieved M Corpas. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 3 ARIZONA 2 BOTTOM, 11TH DUE UP FOR ARIZONA: A Ojeda (.250, 1-FOR-4)</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">NL AT ARIZONA - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: R Spilborghs in center field. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 3 ARIZONA 2 BOTTOM, 11TH DUE UP FOR ARIZONA: A Ojeda (.250, 1-FOR-4)</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">NL AT ARIZONA - MID INNING UPDATE PLAY: M Owings hit for D Slaten. SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 3 ARIZONA 2 BOTTOM, 11TH DUE UP FOR ARIZONA: M Owings (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">NL FINAL 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - - - - - - - - - COLORADO 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 ARIZONA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 11 R H E -- -- - - - COLORADO 0 1 3 7 1 ARIZONA 0 0 2 9 1 (FINAL 11) BATTERIES: COL - UBALDO JIMENEZ, MATT HERGES (6TH), LATROY HAWKINS (7TH), BRIAN FUENTES (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (9TH), RYAN SPEIER (11TH) AND YORVIT TORREALBA ARI - DOUG DAVIS, JUAN CRUZ (6TH), TONY PENA (7TH), BRANDON LYON (9TH), JOSE VALVERDE (10TH), DOUG SLATEN (11TH) AND CHRIS SNYDER HOME RUNS: COL - NONE ARI - NONE</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">NL FINAL 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - - - - - - - - - COLORADO 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 ARIZONA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 10 11 R H E -- -- - - - COLORADO 0 1 3 7 1 ARIZONA 0 0 2 9 1 (FINAL 11) BATTERIES: COL - UBALDO JIMENEZ, MATT HERGES (6TH), LATROY HAWKINS (7TH), BRIAN FUENTES (8TH), MANNY CORPAS (9TH), RYAN SPEIER (11TH) AND YORVIT TORREALBA ARI - DOUG DAVIS, JUAN CRUZ (6TH), TONY PENA (7TH), BRANDON LYON (9TH), JOSE VALVERDE (10TH), DOUG SLATEN (11TH) AND CHRIS SNYDER WP - MANNY CORPAS (1-0) LP - JOSE VALVERDE (0-1) SAVE - RYAN SPEIER (1) HOME RUNS: COL - NONE ARI - NONE TIME: 4:26 ATT: 48,219 PROBABLES: ARI - LIVAN HERNANDEZ (NR) COL - JOSH FOGG (NR)</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">COLORADO (3) VS ARIZONA (2) - FINAL IN 11 INNINGS COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg W Taveras cf 4 1 1 1 2 1 0 .222 R Speier p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 K Matsui 2b 4 0 1 0 1 1 3 .222 M Holliday lf 5 0 0 0 0 3 2 .125 T Helton 1b 4 1 0 1 0 1 2 .125 G Atkins 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 1 .286 M Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 c-R Spilborghs ph-cf 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000 T Tulowitzki ss 5 0 1 0 0 1 4 .222 B Hawpe rf 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 .500 Y Torrealba c 4 0 1 1 1 2 2 .143 U Jimenez p 2 0 0 0 0 2 4 .000 a-S Smith ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 M Herges p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 B Fuentes p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 b-J Carroll ph-3b 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .000 Totals 38 3 7 3 7 12 19 a-flied out to right for U Jimenez in the 6th; b-flied out to right for B Fuentes in the 9th; c-reached on infield single to pitcher for M Corpas in the 11th. BATTING: 2B - W Taveras (1, D Davis). S - K Matsui. SF - T Helton. RBI - Y Torrealba (1), T Helton (1), W Taveras (1). 2-out RBI - Y Torrealba, W Taveras. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T Helton 1, K Matsui 2, T Tulowitzki 1, U Jimenez 2. Team LOB - 11. FIELDING: E - K Matsui (1, throw). ARIZONA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg C Young cf 4 1 1 1 1 3 0 .167 S Drew ss 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 .250 E Byrnes lf 5 0 1 1 0 0 2 .333 T Clark 1b 4 0 2 0 1 0 2 .500 M Reynolds 3b 5 0 1 0 0 2 5 .125 J Salazar rf 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 .000 c-J Upton ph-rf 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 .000 C Snyder c 4 0 1 0 1 2 1 .250 A Ojeda 2b 5 0 1 0 0 2 5 .222 D Davis p 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1.000 a-A Callaspo ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 J Cruz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 b-C Jackson ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .200 T Pena p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 B Lyon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 d-M Montero ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500 J Valverde p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 D Slaten p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 e-M Owings ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 Totals 41 2 9 2 4 12 19 a-grounded to second for D Davis in the 5th; b-flied out to center for J Cruz in the 6th; c-struck out looking for J Salazar in the 8th; d-grounded to shortstop for B Lyon in the 9th; e-flied out to center for D Slaten in the 11th. BATTING: 2B - T Clark (1, U Jimenez); D Davis (1, U Jimenez). RBI - C Young (1), E Byrnes (2). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Ojeda 2, M Reynolds 2. Team LOB - 11. BASERUNNING: CS - C Young (1, 2nd base by U Jimenez/Y Torrealba). FIELDING: E - M Reynolds (1, ground ball). DP: 1 (T Clark). ---------------------------------------------------- COLORADO - 010 010 000 01 -- 3 ARIZONA - 001 000 001 00 -- 2 ---------------------------------------------------- COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era U Jimenez 5 5 1 1 4 6 0 1.80 M Herges (H, 2) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 L Hawkins (H, 1) 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 B Fuentes (H, 1) 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 M Corpas (W, 1-0; B, 1) 2 1 1 1 0 2 0 3.00 R Speier (S, 1) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 ARIZONA ip h r er bb so hr era D Davis 5 5 2 1 4 5 0 1.80 J Cruz 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 T Pena 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 0.00 B Lyon 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 J Valverde (L, 0-1) 1 2/3 1 1 1 3 2 0 5.40 D Slaten 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 WP - U Jimenez. IBB - T Clark (by U Jimenez). HBP - C Young (by M Corpas). Pitches-strikes: U Jimenez 94-50; M Herges 11-7; L Hawkins 18-11; B Fuentes 17-13; M Corpas 29-21; R Speier 13-9; D Davis 106-60; J Cruz 12-8; T Pena 24-20; B Lyon 12-8; J Valverde 42-25; D Slaten 3-2. Ground balls-fly balls: U Jimenez 4-4; M Herges 2-1; L Hawkins 0-2; B Fuentes 1-0; M Corpas 4-0; R Speier 0-2; D Davis 2-7; J Cruz 1-1; T Pena 1-2; B Lyon 0-2; J Valverde 0-3; D Slaten 0-1. Batters faced: U Jimenez 23; M Herges 4; L Hawkins 4; B Fuentes 4; M Corpas 8; R Speier 3; D Davis 24; J Cruz 3; T Pena 7; B Lyon 3; J Valverde 9; D Slaten 1. UMPIRES: HP--Mark Wegner. 1B--Larry Vanover. 2B--Tom Hallion. 3B--Angel Hernandez. LF--Jim Joyce. RF--Tim Mcclelland. T--4:26. Att--48,219. Weather: 87 degrees, clear. Wind: 15 mph, out to right.</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COLORADO (3) AT ARIZONA (2) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COLORADO 2ND: T Helton safe at first on error by third baseman M Reynolds. G Atkins struck out swinging. T Tulowitzki struck out swinging. B Hawpe singled to center, T Helton to third. Y Torrealba singled to right, T Helton scored, B Hawpe to third. U Jimenez struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 0. ARIZONA 3RD: D Davis doubled to deep center. C Young singled to center, D Davis scored. C Young caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. S Drew bunt grounded out to catcher. E Byrnes grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 5TH: W Taveras walked. K Matsui singled to left, W Taveras to second. M Holliday flied out to left, W Taveras to third, K Matsui to second. T Helton hit sacrifice fly to left, W Taveras scored. G Atkins reached on infield single to shortstop, K Matsui to third. T Tulowitzki popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 9TH: M Corpas relieved B Fuentes. J Carroll at third base. M Montero hit for B Lyon. M Montero grounded out to shortstop. C Young hit by pitch. S Drew singled to center, C Young to third. E Byrnes grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Young scored, S Drew to second on throwing error by second baseman K Matsui, S Drew out at third attempting to advance on play. T Clark grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Byrnes out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 2. COLORADO 11TH: R Spilborghs hit for M Corpas. R Spilborghs reached on infield single to pitcher. T Tulowitzki flied out to right. B Hawpe walked, R Spilborghs to second. Y Torrealba popped out to first. J Carroll walked, R Spilborghs to third, B Hawpe to second. W Taveras walked, R Spilborghs scored, B Hawpe to third, J Carroll to second. D Slaten relieved J Valverde. K Matsui lined out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2.</div>
NL: COLORADO at ARIZONA <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COLORADO (3) AT ARIZONA (2) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Colorado Starting Lineups -- W Taveras CF, K Matsui 2B, M Holliday LF, T Helton 1B, G Atkins 3B, T Tulowitzki SS, B Hawpe RF, Y Torrealba C, U Jimenez RHP. Arizona Starting Lineups -- C Young CF, S Drew SS, E Byrnes LF, T Clark 1B, M Reynolds 3B, J Salazar RF, C Snyder C, A Ojeda 2B, D Davis LHP. Umpires -- Mark Wegner (HP), Larry Vanover (1B), Tom Hallion (2B), Angel Hernandez (3B), Jim Joyce (LF), Tim Mcclelland (RF). Gametime Weather: 87 degrees, Clear, wind out to right at 15 mph. COLORADO 1ST: W Taveras bunt grounded out to pitcher. K Matsui walked. M Holliday lined into double play, to first, K Matsui doubled off first.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0, ARIZONA 0. ARIZONA 1ST: C Young struck out looking. S Drew grounded out to shortstop. E Byrnes popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 0, ARIZONA 0. COLORADO 2ND: T Helton safe at first on error by third baseman M Reynolds. G Atkins struck out swinging. T Tulowitzki struck out swinging. B Hawpe singled to center, T Helton to third. Y Torrealba singled to right, T Helton scored, B Hawpe to third. U Jimenez struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 0. ARIZONA 2ND: T Clark doubled to deep center. M Reynolds struck out swinging. J Salazar struck out looking. C Snyder walked. A Ojeda struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 0. COLORADO 3RD: W Taveras doubled to center. K Matsui sacrificed to third, W Taveras to third. M Holliday struck out swinging. T Helton flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 0. ARIZONA 3RD: D Davis doubled to deep center. C Young singled to center, D Davis scored. C Young caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. S Drew bunt grounded out to catcher. E Byrnes grounded out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 4TH: G Atkins popped out to shortstop. T Tulowitzki flied out to right. B Hawpe walked. Y Torrealba walked, B Hawpe to second. U Jimenez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 4TH: T Clark singled to right. M Reynolds fouled out to right. J Salazar flied out to center. C Snyder singled to left, T Clark to second. A Ojeda struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 1, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 5TH: W Taveras walked. K Matsui singled to left, W Taveras to second. M Holliday flied out to left, W Taveras to third, K Matsui to second. T Helton hit sacrifice fly to left, W Taveras scored. G Atkins reached on infield single to shortstop, K Matsui to third. T Tulowitzki popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 5TH: A Callaspo hit for D Davis. A Callaspo grounded out to second. C Young walked. S Drew walked, C Young to second. E Byrnes fouled out to catcher. C Young to third, S Drew to second on wild pitch by U Jimenez. T Clark intentionally walked. M Reynolds struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 6TH: J Cruz relieved D Davis. B Hawpe grounded out to shortstop. Y Torrealba struck out swinging. S Smith hit for U Jimenez. S Smith flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 6TH: M Herges relieved U Jimenez. J Salazar grounded out to first. C Snyder grounded out to second. A Ojeda singled to center. C Jackson hit for J Cruz. C Jackson flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 7TH: T Pena relieved J Cruz. W Taveras struck out looking. K Matsui struck out swinging. M Holliday struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 7TH: L Hawkins relieved M Herges. C Young struck out swinging. S Drew lined out to second. E Byrnes singled to right. T Clark flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 8TH: T Helton flied out to right. G Atkins fouled out to catcher. T Tulowitzki singled to center. B Hawpe grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 8TH: B Fuentes relieved L Hawkins. M Reynolds singled to left. J Upton hit for J Salazar. J Upton struck out looking. C Snyder struck out swinging. A Ojeda grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. COLORADO 9TH: J Upton in right field. B Lyon relieved T Pena. Y Torrealba struck out looking. J Carroll hit for B Fuentes. J Carroll flied out to right. W Taveras bunt popped out to catcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 1. ARIZONA 9TH: M Corpas relieved B Fuentes. J Carroll at third base. M Montero hit for B Lyon. M Montero grounded out to shortstop. C Young hit by pitch. S Drew singled to center, C Young to third. E Byrnes grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, C Young scored, S Drew to second on throwing error by second baseman K Matsui, S Drew out at third attempting to advance on play. T Clark grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, E Byrnes out at second. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 2. COLORADO 10TH: J Valverde relieved B Lyon. K Matsui flied out to left. M Holliday struck out swinging. T Helton struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 2. ARIZONA 10TH: M Reynolds grounded out to second. J Upton struck out swinging. C Snyder struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 2, ARIZONA 2. COLORADO 11TH: R Spilborghs hit for M Corpas. R Spilborghs reached on infield single to pitcher. T Tulowitzki flied out to right. B Hawpe walked, R Spilborghs to second. Y Torrealba popped out to first. J Carroll walked, R Spilborghs to third, B Hawpe to second. W Taveras walked, R Spilborghs scored, B Hawpe to third, J Carroll to second. D Slaten relieved J Valverde. K Matsui lined out to right. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2. ARIZONA 11TH: R Speier relieved M Corpas. R Spilborghs in center field. A Ojeda flied out to left. M Owings hit for D Slaten. M Owings flied out to center. C Young struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2.</div>
Taveras draws bases-loaded walk in 11th to give Rockies 2-0 lead <h3>COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2 (11 INNINGS)</h3>PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies couldn't close thedeal in the ninth, but took total control of the National LeagueChampionship Series two frames later. After closer Manny Corpas blew a save, Willy Taveras drew a walkwith the bases loaded in the top of the 11th inning and theRockies held on to take a commanding two games to none lead overthe Arizona Diamondbacks with a 3-2 victory Friday night atChase Field. The Rockies, who are the first NL team to win their first fivepostseason games since the Cincinnati Reds in 1976, won theopener, 5-1, on Thursday and will return home and try for a 20thwin in 21 games Sunday at Coors Field. Arizona closer Jose Valverde (0-1), pitching in his secondinning, reached uncharted waters after Ryan Spilborghs reachedon a swinging bunt down the third base line to open the 11th.Having never thrown more than 32 pitches in any of his outingsthis season, Valverde surpassed that total when he lost BradHawpe on a 3-2 pitch. After Yorvit Torrealba popped out, Jamey Carroll worked thewalk, setting the stage for Taveras, who walked on four straightpitches - the fourth being the 42nd and last by Valverde. The run was the first earned run over 17 innings in thepostseason by the Arizona bullpen. Doug Slaten entered and got Kaz Matsui on a fly ball to right toescape further damage. With another one-run lead to protect, the Rockies went to RyanSpeier, who worked a perfect frame for his first save in hismajor league career. Corpas (1-0), who pitched a scoreless 10th for the win, made abig mistake in the ninth by hitting Chris Young with a 1-2 pitchin the back with one out. Young raced to third when StephenDrew singled to right-center and Eric Byrnes then hit a chopperto second baseman Kaz Matsui, who pulled shortstop TroyTulowitzki off the bag with a high throw, allowing Young toscore. However, Drew didn't know that he was ruled safe, wondered offthe base and was tagged for the second out of the inning. TonyClark then grounded out hard to short to end the game and forceextra innings. The run was just the third allowed in 18 innings this postseasonby the bullpen.
Taveras draws bases-loaded walk in 11th to give Rockies 2-0 lead <h3>COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2 (11 INNINGS)</h3>PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies couldn't close thedeal in the ninth, but took total control of the National LeagueChampionship Series two frames later. After closer Manny Corpas blew a save, Willy Taveras drew a walkwith the bases loaded in the top of the 11th inning and theRockies held on to take a commanding two games to none lead overthe Arizona Diamondbacks with a 3-2 victory Friday night atChase Field. The Rockies, who are the first NL team to win their first fivepostseason games since the Cincinnati Reds in 1976, won theopener, 5-1, on Thursday and will return home and try for a 20thwin in 21 games Sunday at Coors Field. Arizona closer Jose Valverde (0-1), pitching in his secondinning, reached uncharted waters after Ryan Spilborghs reachedon a swinging bunt down the third base line to open the 11th.Having never thrown more than 32 pitches in any of his outingsthis season, Valverde surpassed that total when he lost BradHawpe on a 3-2 pitch. After Yorvit Torrealba popped out, Jamey Carroll worked thewalk, setting the stage for Taveras, who walked on four straightpitches - the fourth being the 42nd and last by Valverde. The run was the first earned run over 17 innings in thepostseason by the Arizona bullpen. Doug Slaten entered and got Kaz Matsui on a fly ball to right toescape further damage. With another one-run lead to protect, the Rockies went to RyanSpeier, who worked a perfect frame for his first save in hismajor league career. Corpas (1-0), who pitched a scoreless 10th for the win, made abig mistake in the ninth by hitting Chris Young with a 1-2 pitchin the back with one out. Young raced to third when StephenDrew singled to right-center and Eric Byrnes then hit a chopperto second baseman Kaz Matsui, who pulled shortstop TroyTulowitzki off the bag with a high throw, allowing Young toscore. However, Drew didn't know that he was ruled safe, wondered offthe base and was tagged for the second out of the inning. TonyClark then grounded out hard to short to end the game and forceextra innings. The run was just the third allowed in 18 innings this postseasonby the bullpen. The blown save by Corpas, just his second of the entire season,spoiled an electric outing from Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez,who made his third outstanding pressure-packed start. In the regular-season finale against Arizona, Jimenez allowedjust a run and a hit with a season-high 10 strikeous over 6 1/3innings in a game Colorado won, 4-3, to force a one-game playoffwith San Diego. In Game Three of the NLDS with Philadelphia,he yielded just a run and three hits in 6 1/3 additional frames. Against the Diamondbacks, Jimenez threw 96 pitches andsurrendered just a run and five hits with four walks and sixstrikeouts - many of them in key situations. Arizona got a leadoff double in the second by Clark before the23-year-old flamethrower regrouped and struck out threeconsecutive batters on 99 miles-per hour fastballs. The Dominican yielded a pair of singles in the fourth butwhipped another fastball past Augie Ojeda to end that framebefore getting himself in trouble in the fifth with one-outwalks to Young and Drew. Jimenez reached back again, getting Byrnes to pop up on a sharpslider and, after a wild pitch and an intentional walk to Clark,he struck out Mark Reynolds with three consecutive high-90 mphheaters. Matt Herges worked the sixth and LaTroy Hawkins worked around atwo-out single in the seventh when center fielder Willy Taverasmade a great diving catch of an extra-base bid by Clark thatwould have tied the game. Fuentes worked the eighth beforeCorpas let it get away. Colorado took an early 1-0 lead in the second. Todd Helton ledoff by reaching on an error by third baseman Reynolds, who let ahard grounder go right under his glove. After Davis struck out the next two hitters, Hawpe lined a hardsingle to center field after fouling off five consecutive 2-2pitches before Yorvit Torrealba fisted a ball over the firstbase bag that landed just inside the foul line. Arizona tied it in the third inning, when Arizona starter DougDavis led off by lining a double over Taveras' head and scoringon a line single to right-center by Young. Davis, one of the worst hitting pitchers in the game, was4-for-58 during the regular season and hadn't doubled in overtwo years. Colorado took a 2-1 lead in the fifth that stood up until theninth. Davis walked Taveras to lead off the frame, and the speedsteradvanced to second on a base hit by Matsui. Both runners movedup on a flyout to left field by Matt Holliday and Taveras scoredon a sacrifice fly to medium left field by Helton. Despite needing 106 pitches and walking four batters, Davis keptArizona in the game in his five innings, yielding two runs -one earned - and five hits with five strikeouts. He workedaround a leadoff double in the third inning and a pair oftwo-out walks in the fourth.
Taveras draws bases-loaded walk in 11th to give Rockies 2-0 lead <h3>COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2 (11 INNINGS)</h3>PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies couldn't close thedeal in the ninth, but took total control of the National LeagueChampionship Series two frames later. After closer Manny Corpas blew a save, Willy Taveras drew a walkwith the bases loaded in the top of the 11th inning and theRockies held on to take a commanding two games to none lead overthe Arizona Diamondbacks with a 3-2 victory Friday night atChase Field. The Rockies, who are the first NL team to win their first fivepostseason games since the Cincinnati Reds in 1976, won theopener, 5-1, on Thursday and will return home and try for a 20thwin in 21 games Sunday at Coors Field. "We're playing with a lot of momentum, all 25 (guys) are inplay, everybody counts or nobody counts," Colorado manager ClintHurdle said. "We're just locking into one game at a time andwe're starting to pick up some momentum, but this is a good ballclub that we're going to play." "We'll have the off day to regroup and head into Colorado andtake it one game at a time," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. Arizona closer Jose Valverde (0-1), pitching in his secondinning, reached uncharted waters after Ryan Spilborghs reachedon a swinging bunt down the third base line to open the 11th.Having never thrown more than 32 pitches in any of his outingsthis season, Valverde surpassed that total when he lost BradHawpe on a 3-2 pitch. "He's pitched out of a lot of jams over the course of theseason, so he was going to be out there until he gave up a run,"Melvin said. After Yorvit Torrealba popped out, Jamey Carroll worked thewalk, setting the stage for Taveras, who walked on four straightpitches - the fourth being the 42nd and last by Valverde. The run was the first earned run over 17 innings in thepostseason by the Arizona bullpen. Doug Slaten entered and got Kaz Matsui on a fly ball to right toescape further damage. With another one-run lead to protect, the Rockies went to RyanSpeier, who worked a perfect frame for his first save in hismajor league career. Corpas (1-0), who pitched a scoreless 10th for the win, made abig mistake in the ninth by hitting Chris Young with a 1-2 pitchin the back with one out. Young raced to third when StephenDrew singled to right-center and Eric Byrnes then hit a chopperto second baseman Kaz Matsui, who pulled shortstop TroyTulowitzki off the bag with a high throw, allowing Young toscore. However, Drew didn't know that he was ruled safe, wondered offthe base and was tagged for the second out of the inning. TonyClark then grounded out hard to short to end the game and forceextra innings. The run was just the third allowed in 18 innings this postseasonby the bullpen. The blown save by Corpas, just his second of the entire season,spoiled an electric outing from Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez,who made his third outstanding pressure-packed start. In the regular-season finale against Arizona, Jimenez allowedjust a run and a hit with a season-high 10 strikeous over 6 1/3innings in a game Colorado won, 4-3, to force a one-game playoffwith San Diego. In Game Three of the NLDS with Philadelphia,he yielded just a run and three hits in 6 1/3 additional frames. "It was a very gutsy performance," Hurdle said. "He had to makepitches. He pitched around some traffic. But he hung in thereand he's got a lot of confidence and he's got good stuff." Against the Diamondbacks, Jimenez threw 96 pitches andsurrendered just a run and five hits with four walks and sixstrikeouts - many of them in key situations. Arizona got a leadoff double in the second by Clark before the23-year-old flamethrower regrouped and struck out threeconsecutive batters on 99 miles-per hour fastballs. The Dominican yielded a pair of singles in the fourth butwhipped another fastball past Augie Ojeda to end that framebefore getting himself in trouble in the fifth with one-outwalks to Young and Drew. Jimenez reached back again, getting Byrnes to pop up on a sharpslider and, after a wild pitch and an intentional walk to Clark,he struck out Mark Reynolds with three consecutive high-90 mphheaters. Matt Herges worked the sixth and LaTroy Hawkins worked around atwo-out single in the seventh when center fielder Willy Taverasmade a great diving catch of an extra-base bid by Clark thatwould have tied the game. "I don't know if we have another guy on our club that can makethat play," Hurdle said. Fuentes worked the eighth before Corpas let it get away. Colorado took an early 1-0 lead in the second. Todd Helton ledoff by reaching on an error by third baseman Reynolds, who let ahard grounder go right under his glove. After Davis struck out the next two hitters, Hawpe lined a hardsingle to center field after fouling off five consecutive 2-2pitches before Yorvit Torrealba fisted a ball over the firstbase bag that landed just inside the foul line. Arizona tied it in the third inning, when Arizona starter DougDavis led off by lining a double over Taveras' head and scoringon a line single to right-center by Young. Davis, one of the worst hitting pitchers in the game, was4-for-58 during the regular season and hadn't doubled in overtwo years. Colorado took a 2-1 lead in the fifth that stood up until theninth. Davis walked Taveras to lead off the frame, and the speedsteradvanced to second on a base hit by Matsui. Both runners movedup on a flyout to left field by Matt Holliday and Taveras scoredon a sacrifice fly to medium left field by Helton. Despite needing 106 pitches and walking four batters, Davis keptArizona in the game in his five innings, yielding two runs -one earned - and five hits with five strikeouts. He workedaround a leadoff double in the third inning and a pair oftwo-out walks in the fourth.
Taveras draws bases-loaded walk in 11th to give Rockies 2-0 lead <h3>COLORADO 3, ARIZONA 2 (11 INNINGS)</h3>PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies couldn't close thedeal in the ninth, but took total control of the National LeagueChampionship Series two frames later. Willy Taveras drew a walk with the bases loaded in the top ofthe 11th inning and the Rockies held on to take a commanding twogames to none lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 3-2victory Friday night at Chase Field. The Rockies, who are the first NL team to win their first fivepostseason games since the Cincinnati Reds in 1976, won theopener, 5-1, on Thursday and will return home and try for a 20thwin in 21 games Sunday at Coors Field. "We're playing with a lot of momentum, all 25 (guys) are inplay, everybody counts or nobody counts," Colorado manager ClintHurdle said. "We're just locking into one game at a time andwe're starting to pick up some momentum, but this is a good ballclub that we're going to play." "We'll have the off day to regroup and head into Colorado andfocus on taking it one game at a time," Arizona manager BobMelvin said. "We have come back from difficult circumstancesthis year. It's two games and the team has to win four beforeit is over." Arizona closer Jose Valverde (0-1), pitching in his secondinning, reached uncharted waters after Ryan Spilborghs reachedon a swinging bunt down the third base line to open the 11th.Having never thrown more than 32 pitches in any of his outingsthis season, Valverde surpassed that total when he lost BradHawpe on a 3-2 pitch. "He's pitched out of a lot of jams over the course of theseason, so he was going to be out there until he gave up a run,"Melvin said. "You gotta keep him in there he's the closer. Inthere for two innings and once he gives up a run you go get him.You gotta at least go with your best until they get a run." After Yorvit Torrealba popped out, Jamey Carroll worked afull-count walk, setting the stage for Taveras, who walked onfour straight pitches - the fourth being the 42nd and last byValverde. "I wasn't tired," Valverde said. "I just didn't throw goodpitches. "But we still have a lot of confidence." The run was the first earned run over 17 innings in thepostseason by the Arizona bullpen. Doug Slaten entered and got Kaz Matsui on a fly ball to right toescape further damage. With another one-run lead to protect, the Rockies went to RyanSpeier, who worked a perfect frame for his first save in hismajor league career. Manny Corpas (1-0), who blew the save in the ninth, pitched ascoreless 10th for the win. The righthander made a big mistake in the ninth by hitting ChrisYoung with a 1-2 pitch in the back with one out. Young racedto third when Stephen Drew singled to right-center and EricByrnes then hit a chopper to second baseman Kaz Matsui, whopulled shortstop Troy Tulowitzki off the bag with a high throw,allowing Young to score. However, Drew didn't know that he was ruled safe, wondered offthe base and was tagged for the second out of the inning. TonyClark then grounded out hard to short to end the game and forceextra innings. "It looked like he touched the bag from my standpoint and when Ilooked back there was no call so I figured I was out," Drewsaid. "I started heading back but I was told to get back but bythat time I got into a pickle." The run was just the third allowed in 18 innings this postseasonby the bullpen. The blown save by Corpas, just his second of the entire season,spoiled an electric outing from Colorado starter Ubaldo Jimenez,who made his third outstanding pressure-packed start. In the regular-season finale against Arizona, Jimenez allowedjust a run and a hit with a season-high 10 strikeouts over 6 1/3innings in a game Colorado won, 4-3, to force a one-gameplayoff with San Diego. In Game Three of the NLDS withPhiladelphia, he yielded just a run and three hits in 6 1/3additional frames. "It was a very gutsy performance," Hurdle said. "He had to makepitches. He pitched around some traffic. But he hung in thereand he's got a lot of confidence and he's got good stuff." Against the Diamondbacks, Jimenez threw 96 pitches andsurrendered just a run and five hits with four walks and sixstrikeouts - many of them in key situations. Arizona got a leadoff double in the second by Clark before the23-year-old flamethrower regrouped and struck out threeconsecutive batters on 99 miles-per hour fastballs. "I wasn't trying to throw that hard but I got little bit excitedand my fastball was working," Jimenez said. "I had to go withmy best pitch and I threw my fastball with everything I had andwas able to get some strikeouts when I needed to." The Dominican yielded a pair of singles in the fourth butwhipped another fastball past Augie Ojeda to end that framebefore getting himself in trouble in the fifth with one-outwalks to Young and Drew. Jimenez reached back again, getting Byrnes to pop up on a sharpslider and, after a wild pitch and an intentional walk to Clark,he struck out Mark Reynolds with three consecutive high-90 mphheaters. Matt Herges worked the sixth and LaTroy Hawkins worked around atwo-out single in the seventh when center fielder Willy Taverasmade a great diving catch of an extra-base bid by Clark thatwould have tied the game. "I don't know if we have another guy on our club that can makethat play," Hurdle said. "I don't think he (Clark) crushed that ball, he hit it good butthe ball hung up a little," Taveras said. "I just took offrunning and tried to make it for the team. It was a great catchand might have saved the tie right there." Fuentes worked the eighth before Corpas let it get away. Colorado took an early 1-0 lead in the second. Todd Helton ledoff by reaching on an error by third baseman Reynolds, who let ahard grounder go right under his glove. After Davis struck out the next two hitters, Hawpe lined a hardsingle to center field after fouling off five consecutive 2-2pitches before Yorvit Torrealba fisted a ball over the firstbase bag that landed just inside the foul line. Arizona tied it in the third inning, when Arizona starter DougDavis led off by lining a double over Taveras' head and scoringon a line single to right-center by Young. Davis, one of the worst hitting pitchers in the game, was4-for-58 during the regular season and hadn't doubled in overtwo years. Colorado took a 2-1 lead in the fifth that stood up until theninth. Davis walked Taveras to lead off the frame, and the speedsteradvanced to second on a base hit by Matsui. Both runners movedup on a flyout to left field by Matt Holliday and Taveras scoredon a sacrifice fly to medium left field by Helton.
