Recap: Arizona vs. Colorado
Sports Network | September 27, 2008
Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Chad Tracy's pinch-hit, two-run double in the eighth inning was the difference as the Arizona Diamondbacks edged Colorado, 6-4, in the first of three games with the Rockies.
Arizona starter Dan Haren allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk in seven innings, while striking out nine. Haren didn't factor into the decision, while Juan Cruz (4-0) took the win after throwing a scoreless eighth for the Diamondbacks, who were eliminated from playoff contention on Thursday.
Justin Upton finished with a triple, homer and three runs batted in for Arizona, while Stephen Drew went 2-for-4 with a solo home run.
Jason Grilli (3-3) took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief for the Rockies. Starter Jason Hirsh gave up three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 frames.
Ryan Spilborghs tallied three hits for Colorado, which had won three in a row, while Garrett Atkins went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
With the score knotted at 4-4 heading into the home eighth, Miguel Montero got on base with a two-out double. Jeff Salazar walked before Tracy drove both runners home with a double to right field.
Chad Qualls worked a perfect ninth inning to end the game and earn his eighth save of the season.
Colorado put three runs on the board in the first inning. After a leadoff walk to Seth Smith, Troy Tulowitzki smacked an RBI double. Brad Hawpe later hit an RBI double of his own, and Atkins followed with a run-scoring groundout to make it a 3-0 game.
Arizona got one run back on Upton's leadoff homer in the fourth, and Drew's solo shot with one away in the fifth drew the D'Backs within one. Later in that same inning, Upton tripled home two runs to give Arizona a 4-3 lead.
Joe Koshansky's RBI double in the seventh for Colorado tied the game.
Colorado manager Clint Hurdle was ejected in the eighth inning by second-base umpire Ron Kulpa, arguing the call after Tulowitzki was caught stealing...Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday was a late scratch with a stiff back...The D'Backs left eight runners on base, while the Rockies stranded five.
