GAME THREAD: NL: COLORADO (45-46) at PITTSBURGH (40-51)

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Carroll at third base.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: COLORADO 10
PITTSBURGH 8 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J Bay (.250, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 5 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 8 2
PITTSBURGH 1 0 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 8 13 3 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: COL - TAYLOR BUCHHOLZ, MATT HERGES (5TH), TOM MARTIN (6TH), LATROY
HAWKINS (6TH), JORGE JULIO (7TH), MANNY CORPAS (9TH) AND
YORVIT TORREALBA

PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN, TONY ARMAS (3RD), MASUMI
KUWATA (6TH), DAMASO MARTE (6TH), SALOMON TORRES (8TH), MATT
CAPPS (9TH) AND RYAN DOUMIT

HOME RUNS: COL - NONE

PIT - NONE</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
COLORADO 5 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 8 2
PITTSBURGH 1 0 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 8 13 3 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: COL - TAYLOR BUCHHOLZ, MATT HERGES (5TH), TOM MARTIN (6TH), LATROY
HAWKINS (6TH), JORGE JULIO (7TH), MANNY CORPAS (9TH) AND
YORVIT TORREALBA

PIT - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN, TONY ARMAS (3RD), MASUMI
KUWATA (6TH), DAMASO MARTE (6TH), SALOMON TORRES (8TH), MATT
CAPPS (9TH) AND RYAN DOUMIT


WP - LATROY HAWKINS (1-4)
LP - JOHN VAN BENSCHOTEN (0-4)
SAVE - MANNY CORPAS (2)

HOME RUNS: COL - NONE

PIT - NONE


TIME: 3:29 ATT: 16,423

PROBABLES: COL - JOSH FOGG (4-6, 5.36)
PIT - SHANE YOUMAN (2-0, 3.00)</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">COLORADO (10) VS PITTSBURGH (8) - FINAL

COLORADO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
W Taveras cf 3 3 1 1 0 1 1 .325
K Matsui 2b 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .299
M Holliday lf 3 1 1 3 0 0 2 .339
T Helton 1b 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 .310
G Atkins 3b 5 1 1 0 0 0 3 .251
M Corpas p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Hawpe rf 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 .304
J Julio p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-J Carroll ph-3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .210
T Tulowitzki ss 3 1 1 2 0 0 0 .285
Y Torrealba c 4 1 1 2 0 1 0 .271
T Buchholz p 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 .158
M Herges p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Martin p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
L Hawkins p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
R Spilborghs rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317

Totals 35 10 8 10 2 5 12

a-grounded to third for J Julio in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - M Holliday (31, J Van Benschoten); Y Torrealba (10, J Van
Benschoten). SF - M Holliday 2, W Taveras. RBI - M Holliday 3 (73), B Hawpe
(62), T Tulowitzki 2 (42), Y Torrealba 2 (28), T Buchholz (1), W Taveras (20).
Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Carroll 1, G Atkins 1, T Buchholz
1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - W Taveras 2 (22, 2nd base off J Van Benschoten/R Doumit 2),
K Matsui (17, 2nd base off J Van Benschoten/R Doumit).

FIELDING: E - T Helton 2 (4, catch, ground ball). DP: 1 (G Atkins-T Helton).



PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 4 2 1 1 0 1 2 .232
F Sanchez 2b 5 2 2 0 0 2 4 .294
A LaRoche 1b 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 .238
X Nady rf 3 0 1 1 1 1 2 .284
R Doumit c 5 1 2 2 0 1 2 .307
J Bay lf 4 1 1 1 1 2 4 .249
J Castillo 3b 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .243
J Wilson ss 5 1 2 1 0 0 1 .259
J Van Benschoten p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
T Armas p 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 .250
a-M Kata ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .250
M Kuwata p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
b-R Davis ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .244
S Torres p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000

Totals 37 8 13 8 3 8 20

a-singled to center for T Armas in the 5th; b-singled to right for D Marte in
the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - N McLouth (9, T Buchholz); F Sanchez (22, T Buchholz). S - N
McLouth , J Van Benschoten. SF - A LaRoche , X Nady. RBI - R Doumit 2 (26), J
Bay (57), J Wilson (26), A LaRoche (52), X Nady (51), M Kata (1), N McLouth
(9). 2-out RBI - R Doumit, J Wilson. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
T Armas 1, F Sanchez 2, N McLouth 1, J Bay 1. GIDP - J Bay. Team LOB - 9.

FIELDING: E - F Sanchez (4, ground ball); J Wilson (7, pop up); J Castillo
(7, ground ball).


----------------------------------------------------
COLORADO - 513 001 000 -- 10
PITTSBURGH - 103 220 000 -- 8
----------------------------------------------------

COLORADO ip h r er bb so hr era
T Buchholz 4 9 6 4 1 5 0 4.92
M Herges 1 2 2 2 1 1 0 7.36
T Martin (H, 1) 1/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 4.97
L Hawkins (W, 1-4) 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.86
J Julio (H, 5) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.52
M Corpas (S, 2) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.40

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
J Van Benschoten (L, 0-4) 2 6 9 9 2 0 0 8.17
T Armas 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 7.57
M Kuwata 2/3 0 1 0 0 0 0 6.92
D Marte 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.57
S Torres 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.10
M Capps 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.32

J Van Benschoten pitched to 3 batters in the 3rd.

HBP - W Taveras (by J Van Benschoten); T Tulowitzki (by J Van Benschoten).
Pitches-strikes: T Buchholz 84-50; M Herges 20-12; T Martin 14-7; L Hawkins
23-13; J Julio 14-8; M Corpas 15-10; J Van Benschoten 62-37; T Armas 34-26; M
Kuwata 14-10; D Marte 13-9; S Torres 10-6; M Capps 11-9. Ground balls-fly
balls: T Buchholz 4-3; M Herges 1-1; T Martin 0-1; L Hawkins 3-1; J Julio 2-1;
M Corpas 1-1; J Van Benschoten 4-2; T Armas 1-5; M Kuwata 1-1; D Marte 3-0; S
Torres 0-2; M Capps 3-0. Batters faced: T Buchholz 23; M Herges 6; T Martin 3;
L Hawkins 5; J Julio 4; M Corpas 3; J Van Benschoten 17; T Armas 10; M Kuwata
3; D Marte 4; S Torres 3; M Capps 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Bruce Dreckman. 1B--Jerry Meals. 2B--Adam Dowdy. 3B--Larry
Poncino.

T--3:29. Att--16,423.
Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, out to
center.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
COLORADO 10
PITTSBURGH 8 FINAL</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COLORADO (10) AT PITTSBURGH (8) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COLORADO 1ST: W Taveras hit by pitch. W Taveras stole second. K Matsui
grounded out to first, W Taveras to third. M Holliday doubled to left,
W Taveras scored. T Helton walked. G Atkins reached on infield single to third,
M Holliday to third, T Helton to second. B Hawpe walked, M Holliday scored,
T Helton to third, G Atkins to second. T Tulowitzki singled to right, T Helton
and G Atkins scored, B Hawpe to third. Y Torrealba grounded out to third,
B Hawpe scored, T Tulowitzki to second. T Buchholz grounded out to third.
(5 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth doubled to deep center. F Sanchez grounded out
to shortstop. A LaRoche struck out looking. X Nady walked. R Doumit singled
to right, N McLouth scored, X Nady to second. J Bay struck out looking.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, PITTSBURGH 1.

COLORADO 2ND: W Taveras singled to left. W Taveras stole second. K Matsui
safe at first on error by second baseman F Sanchez, W Taveras to third.
M Holliday hit sacrifice fly to center, W Taveras scored. K Matsui stole second.
T Helton grounded out to shortstop. G Atkins flied out to right. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 1 Error) COLORADO 6, PITTSBURGH 1.

COLORADO 3RD: B Hawpe singled to right. T Tulowitzki hit by pitch, B Hawpe
to second. Y Torrealba hit a ground rule double to deep left center, B Hawpe
scored, T Tulowitzki to third. T Armas relieved J Van Benschoten. T Buchholz
singled to left, T Tulowitzki scored, Y Torrealba to third. W Taveras hit
sacrifice fly to left, Y Torrealba scored. K Matsui struck out swinging.
M Holliday flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: F Sanchez singled to right center. A LaRoche singled to
right, F Sanchez to second. X Nady struck out swinging. R Doumit singled to
right, F Sanchez scored, A LaRoche to third. J Bay singled to left, A LaRoche
scored, R Doumit to second. J Castillo flied out to center, R Doumit to third.
J Wilson singled to left, R Doumit scored, J Bay to second. T Armas grounded
out to pitcher. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 4.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: N McLouth safe at first on error by first baseman T Helton.
F Sanchez doubled to deep left, N McLouth to third. A LaRoche hit sacrifice
fly to shortstop, N McLouth scored, F Sanchez to third. X Nady hit sacrifice
fly to left, F Sanchez scored. R Doumit struck out looking. (2 Runs, 1 Hit,
1 Error) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 6.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Herges relieved T Buchholz. J Bay walked. J Castillo
popped out to second. J Wilson singled to right, J Bay to second. M Kata hit
for T Armas. M Kata singled to center, J Bay scored, J Wilson to third.
N McLouth sacrificed to pitcher, J Wilson scored, M Kata to second. F Sanchez
struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 8.

COLORADO 6TH: M Kuwata relieved T Armas. W Taveras safe at second on error
by shortstop J Wilson. K Matsui grounded out to second, W Taveras to third.
M Holliday hit sacrifice fly to center, W Taveras scored. D Marte relieved
M Kuwata. T Helton grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 1 Error) COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.</div>

 

NL: COLORADO at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COLORADO (10) AT PITTSBURGH (8) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Colorado Starting Lineups -- W Taveras CF, K Matsui 2B, M Holliday LF, T Helton 1B,
G Atkins 3B, B Hawpe RF, T Tulowitzki SS, Y Torrealba C, T Buchholz RHP.

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N McLouth CF, F Sanchez 2B, A LaRoche 1B, X Nady RF,
R Doumit C, J Bay LF, J Castillo 3B, J Wilson SS, J Van Benschoten RHP.

Umpires -- Bruce Dreckman (HP), Jerry Meals (1B), Adam Dowdy (2B),
Larry Poncino (3B).

Gametime Weather: 81 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to center at 7 mph.


COLORADO 1ST: W Taveras hit by pitch. W Taveras stole second. K Matsui
grounded out to first, W Taveras to third. M Holliday doubled to left,
W Taveras scored. T Helton walked. G Atkins reached on infield single to third,
M Holliday to third, T Helton to second. B Hawpe walked, M Holliday scored,
T Helton to third, G Atkins to second. T Tulowitzki singled to right, T Helton
and G Atkins scored, B Hawpe to third. Y Torrealba grounded out to third,
B Hawpe scored, T Tulowitzki to second. T Buchholz grounded out to third.
(5 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth doubled to deep center. F Sanchez grounded out
to shortstop. A LaRoche struck out looking. X Nady walked. R Doumit singled
to right, N McLouth scored, X Nady to second. J Bay struck out looking.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 5, PITTSBURGH 1.

COLORADO 2ND: W Taveras singled to left. W Taveras stole second. K Matsui
safe at first on error by second baseman F Sanchez, W Taveras to third.
M Holliday hit sacrifice fly to center, W Taveras scored. K Matsui stole second.
T Helton grounded out to shortstop. G Atkins flied out to right. (1 Run,
1 Hit, 1 Error) COLORADO 6, PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: J Castillo singled to center. J Wilson grounded into
fielder's choice to first, J Castillo out at second. J Van Benschoten
sacrificed to pitcher, J Wilson to second. N McLouth struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 6, PITTSBURGH 1.

COLORADO 3RD: B Hawpe singled to right. T Tulowitzki hit by pitch, B Hawpe
to second. Y Torrealba hit a ground rule double to deep left center, B Hawpe
scored, T Tulowitzki to third. T Armas relieved J Van Benschoten. T Buchholz
singled to left, T Tulowitzki scored, Y Torrealba to third. W Taveras hit
sacrifice fly to left, Y Torrealba scored. K Matsui struck out swinging.
M Holliday flied out to left. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: F Sanchez singled to right center. A LaRoche singled to
right, F Sanchez to second. X Nady struck out swinging. R Doumit singled to
right, F Sanchez scored, A LaRoche to third. J Bay singled to left, A LaRoche
scored, R Doumit to second. J Castillo flied out to center, R Doumit to third.
J Wilson singled to left, R Doumit scored, J Bay to second. T Armas grounded
out to pitcher. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 4.

COLORADO 4TH: T Helton flied out to center. G Atkins flied out to center.
B Hawpe grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9,
PITTSBURGH 4.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: N McLouth safe at first on error by first baseman T Helton.
F Sanchez doubled to deep left, N McLouth to third. A LaRoche hit sacrifice
fly to shortstop, N McLouth scored, F Sanchez to third. X Nady hit sacrifice
fly to left, F Sanchez scored. R Doumit struck out looking. (2 Runs, 1 Hit,
1 Error) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 6.

COLORADO 5TH: T Tulowitzki lined out to left. Y Torrealba struck out
swinging. T Buchholz struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 6.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Herges relieved T Buchholz. J Bay walked. J Castillo
popped out to second. J Wilson singled to right, J Bay to second. M Kata hit
for T Armas. M Kata singled to center, J Bay scored, J Wilson to third.
N McLouth sacrificed to pitcher, J Wilson scored, M Kata to second. F Sanchez
struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 9, PITTSBURGH 8.

COLORADO 6TH: M Kuwata relieved T Armas. W Taveras safe at second on error
by shortstop J Wilson. K Matsui grounded out to second, W Taveras to third.
M Holliday hit sacrifice fly to center, W Taveras scored. D Marte relieved
M Kuwata. T Helton grounded out to pitcher. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 1 Error) COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: T Martin relieved M Herges. A LaRoche walked. X Nady
singled to left, A LaRoche to second. R Doumit popped out to shortstop.
L Hawkins relieved T Martin. J Bay grounded into double play, third to first,
A LaRoche out at third.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.

COLORADO 7TH: G Atkins grounded out to shortstop. B Hawpe struck out
swinging. T Tulowitzki grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: J Castillo grounded out to shortstop. J Wilson lined out
to second. R Davis hit for D Marte. R Davis singled to right. N McLouth safe
at first on error by first baseman T Helton, R Davis to second. J Julio
relieved L Hawkins. R Spilborghs in right field. F Sanchez struck out looking.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.

COLORADO 8TH: S Torres relieved D Marte. Y Torrealba fouled out to first.
R Spilborghs flied out to center. W Taveras struck out looking. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: A LaRoche grounded out to second. X Nady grounded out to
second. R Doumit flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 10,
PITTSBURGH 8.

COLORADO 9TH: M Capps relieved S Torres. K Matsui bunt grounded out to
third. M Holliday safe at first on error by third baseman J Castillo.
T Helton singled to left, M Holliday to second. G Atkins grounded into fielder's
choice to third, M Holliday out at third, T Helton to second. J Carroll hit
for J Julio. J Carroll grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error)
COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: M Corpas relieved J Julio. J Carroll at third base. J Bay
struck out swinging. J Castillo grounded out to second. J Wilson flied out to
center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8.</div>

 

Rockies hold on to top Pirates

<h3>COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8</h3>PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies had just enough.



In a game in which the teams used a combined 12 pitchers, Colorado out-slugged the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-8, on Monday and kept the Pirates winless in four games since the All-Star break.



Four players drove in at least two runs for Colorado, which won for just the third time in its past 14 on the road.



The Rockies were coming off two consecutive losses in which they scored just four runs combined, but they put up five in the first frame off Pirates starter John Van Benschoten.



Colorado tacked on one in the second and three more in the third to open up a 9-1 lead.



Van Benschoten (0-4) was charged with all nine of those runs in his two-plus innings, giving up six hits, two walks and hitting two batters.



It was the second consecutive start where he failed to make it out of the third inning. On July 7 against the Chicago Cubs he lasted 2 2/3, giving up five runs. He is winless in six starts since joining the rotation June 16.



The Pirates chipped away at that Rockies' lead, plating three in the third on five singles and then scoring two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings.



<div class="pre">Both runs in the Pirates' fourth came via sacrifice flies from Adam LaRoche and Xavier Nady. The Rockies also had three sacrifice flies of their own in the game two by Matt Holliday making the game's combined total five, which tied a major league record.</div>



The last time two teams in the National League combined for five sacrifice flies in a game was June 7, 2006 in Colorado in a matchup between these same teams.



Pittsburgh relievers Tony Armas, Masumi Kuwata, Damaso Marte, Salomon Torres and Matt Capps kept the Pirates close, tossing seven combined innings while allowing an unearned run and just two hits.



In the end, the damage done against Van Benschoten was too much to overcome.



Van Benschoten struggled from the start, as he hit the Rockies' Willy Taveras with the first pitch of the game. Taveras then stole second, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on Holliday's RBI double.



Taveras had two RBI, two runs and two stolen bases in the game, while Holliday drove in three.



Van Benschoten then walked Todd Helton and gave up an infield single to Garrett Atkins to load the bases. A walk to Brad Hawpe forced home Holliday and a two-run single by Troy Tulowitzki made it 4-0.



Yorvit Torrealba finished the scoring when his groundout plated Hawpe to give the Rockies a 5-0 cushion before the Pirates even came to bat.



Rockies starter Taylor Buchholz didn't have his best stuff in his first start since June 1. He went four innings, surrendering six runs and nine hits while striking out five.



He had been working out of the bullpen but was inserted back into the rotation to fill the spot of Jason Hirsh, who is on the disabled list.



Colorado reliever LaTroy Hawkins (1-4) got the win for Colorado, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Manny Corpas pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season.



Ten different players had at least one hit for the Pirates, led by Ryan Doumit's two hits and two RBI.

 

Rockies hold on to top Pirates

<h3>COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8</h3>PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies had just enough.In a game in which the teams used a combined 12 pitchers,Colorado out-slugged the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-8, onMonday and kept the Pirates winless in four games since theAll-Star break.


Four players drove in at least two runs for Colorado, which wonfor just the third time in its past 14 on the road.

The Rockies were coming off two consecutive losses in which theyscored just four runs combined, but they put up five in thefirst frame off Pirates starter John Van Benschoten.

Colorado tacked on one in the second and three more in the thirdto open up a 9-1 lead.


Van Benschoten (0-4) was charged with all nine of those runs inhis two-plus innings, giving up six hits, two walks and hittingtwo batters.


It was the second consecutive start where he failed to make itout of the third inning. On July 7 against the Chicago Cubs helasted 2 2/3, giving up five runs. He is winless in six startssince joining the rotation June 16.


The Pirates chipped away at that Rockies' lead, plating three inthe third on five singles and then scoring two runs each in thefourth and fifth innings.


Both runs in the Pirates' fourth came via sacrifice flies fromAdam LaRoche and Xavier Nady. The Rockies also had three<div class="pre">sacrifice flies of their own in the game two by Matt Holliday</div>making the game's combined total five, which tied a major leaguerecord.


The last time two teams in the National League combined for fivesacrifice flies in a game was June 7, 2006 in Colorado in amatchup between these same teams.


Pittsburgh relievers Tony Armas, Masumi Kuwata, Damaso Marte,Salomon Torres and Matt Capps kept the Pirates close, tossingseven combined innings while allowing an unearned run and justtwo hits.


In the end, the damage done against Van Benschoten was too muchto overcome.


Van Benschoten struggled from the start, as he hit the Rockies'Willy Taveras with the first pitch of the game. Taveras thenstole second, advanced to third on a ground out and scored onHolliday's RBI double.


Taveras had two RBI, two runs and two stolen bases in the game,while Holliday drove in three.


Van Benschoten then walked Todd Helton and gave up an infieldsingle to Garrett Atkins to load the bases. A walk to BradHawpe forced home Holliday and a two-run single by TroyTulowitzki made it 4-0.


Yorvit Torrealba finished the scoring when his groundout platedHawpe to give the Rockies a 5-0 cushion before the Pirates evencame to bat.


Rockies starter Taylor Buchholz didn't have his best stuff inhis first start since June 1. He went four innings,surrendering six runs and nine hits while striking out five.

He had been working out of the bullpen but was inserted backinto the rotation to fill the spot of Jason Hirsh, who is on thedisabled list.


Colorado reliever LaTroy Hawkins (1-4) got the win for Colorado,tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Manny Corpas pitched aperfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

Ten different players had at least one hit for the Pirates, ledby Ryan Doumit's two hits and two RBI.

 

Rockies hold on to top Pirates

<h3>COLORADO 10, PITTSBURGH 8</h3>PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies had just enough.

In a game in which the teams used a combined 12 pitchers,Colorado out-slugged the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-8, onMonday and kept the Pirates winless in four games since theAll-Star break.


Four players drove in at least two runs for Colorado, which wonfor just the third time in its past 14 on the road.

The Rockies were coming off two consecutive losses in which theyscored just four runs combined, but they put up five in thefirst frame off Pirates starter John Van Benschoten. Coloradotacked on one in the second and three more in the third to openup a 9-1 lead.


"When you're playing against a major league team, they are notgoing to lay down," Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras said."They just want to come back and make something happen. Whenyou have an eight-run lead and they come back and almost tie thegame ..."


Van Benschoten (0-4) was charged with all nine of those runs inhis two-plus innings, giving up six hits, two walks and hittingtwo batters.


It was the second consecutive start where he failed to make itout of the third inning. On July 7 against the Chicago Cubs helasted 2 2/3, giving up five runs. He is winless in six startssince joining the rotation June 16.


"I think they picked up on what I was doing," Van Benschotensaid. "It seemed like they were taking some pretty healthyhacks at whatever I was throwing up there."


The Pirates chipped away at that Rockies' lead, plating three inthe third on five singles and then scoring two runs each in thefourth and fifth innings.


"If you look at this game, it's a tough loss to take, but at thesame time, you take the positives out of it and the fact thatwe swung the bats (well)," Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson said."Obviously we were pretty cold in Atlanta (scoring six runs inthree games) and to be able to come out here and bang out somehits, down 9-1, that's a good sign for us."


Both runs in the Pirates' fourth came via sacrifice flies fromAdam LaRoche and Xavier Nady. The Rockies also had threesacrifice flies of their own in the game - two by Matt Holliday- making the game's combined total five, which tied a majorleague record.


The last time two teams in the National League combined for fivesacrifice flies in a game was June 7, 2006, in Colorado in amatchup between these same teams.


Pittsburgh relievers Tony Armas, Masumi Kuwata, Damaso Marte,Salomon Torres and Matt Capps kept the Pirates close, tossingseven combined innings while allowing an unearned run and justtwo hits.


"Our bullpen did a terrific job tonight," Pittsburgh manager JimTracy said. "If there's any further damage as that gameunfolds, you would have had no chance to even get back in thegame."


In the end, the damage done against Van Benschoten was too muchto overcome.


Van Benschoten struggled from the start, as he hit the Rockies'Willy Taveras with the first pitch of the game. Taveras thenstole second, advanced to third on a ground out and scored onHolliday's RBI double.


Taveras had one RBI, two runs and two stolen bases in the game,while Holliday drove in three.


Van Benschoten then walked Todd Helton and gave up an infieldsingle to Garrett Atkins to load the bases. A walk to BradHawpe forced home Holliday and a two-run single by TroyTulowitzki made it 4-0.


Yorvit Torrealba finished the scoring when his groundout platedHawpe to give the Rockies a 5-0 cushion before the Pirates evencame to bat.


"It was an unbelievable game tonight, a big win, especiallyconsidering we did score so many runs early and they were ableto come back," Taveras said.


Rockies starter Taylor Buchholz didn't have his best stuff inhis first start since June 1. He went four innings,surrendering six runs and nine hits while striking out five.

He had been working out of the bullpen but was inserted backinto the rotation to fill the spot of Jason Hirsh, who is on thedisabled list.


"I really felt rusty tonight, I could never get that rhythm thatI've had coming out of the pen," Buchholz said. "But it's allabout winning in the end and we did that tonight. It was closerthan it should have been but it's always good to win."

Colorado reliever LaTroy Hawkins (1-4) got the win for Colorado,tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Manny Corpas pitched aperfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

Ten different players had at least one hit for the Pirates, ledby Ryan Doumit's two hits and two RBI.


"We almost coughed up an eight-run lead, but they weren't goingto let it happen," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "It wasa well-needed win for us."