What looked to be another one-run loss for the Colorado Rockies turned into a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth. Huston Street allowed a two-run home run to Kelly Johnson, which led to the final score of 6-3.
But framing the story on that home run Street allowed veils the real issues with this team. Clayton Mortensen needs to step up with Jorge De La Rosa, but Thursday's performance was not a step in the right direction. In the fourth inning, Mortensen started the inning with two walks and then saw Miguel Montero place a ball over the right field wall. Mortensen allowed a fourth run in the sixth inning, but Melvin Mora ended any further threat when he was thrown out at second on the play.
The Rockies couldn't do anything against Micah Owings, who went five innings and allowed one run. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Carlos Gonzalez singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Troy Tulowitzki singled Gonzalez in for the first Rockies run. Todd Helton singled right after that, but Ty Wigginton ended any momentum with a double play.
The Rockies added two more runs in the seventh on a Jason Giambi sac fly and a Ryan Spilborghs single, closing the gap to 4-3. But then there was Street in for the top of the ninth.
The Rockies (24-25, 12-13) host the St. Louis Cardinals for the weekend.
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