The Colorado Rockies erased the ghosts of Progressive Field for at least one night with their 8-7 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday. Jason Giambi's three-run homer and an error-scoring throw gave the Rockies the edge.
Troy Tulowitzki gave the Rockies and early lead in the first inning with an RBI single, but Juan Nicasio allowed a three-run homer in the bottom of the first and then gave up a solo shot to Carlos Santana in the fourth inning.
But the Rockies came back with a vengeance in the fifth inning. Todd Helton drew a bases-loaded walk to score one, while Tulowitzki doubled in Carlos Gonzalez and Chris Nelson. Jason Giambi capped things off with a three-run shot (7) to center field. That ended Fausto Carmona's night, which ended up with seven runs allowed on nine hits.
Juan Nicasio's start also ended at 4.2 innings after he allowed a two-run single to Shin-Shoo Choo, narrowing the lead to 7-6. Rex Brothers got the final out of the inning and then gave way to Matt Lindstrom in the sixth inning. He came up with a line out, a single and a double play, recovering from a string of poor outings.
In the top of the eighth inning, Charlie Blackmon and Chris Iannetta walked and singled, respectively, to start the inning. Frank Herrmann relieved Rafael Perez at that point, but catcher Lou Marson flubbed the throw to third base, allowing Blackmon to score for the 8-6 lead.
Cord Phelps brought the game back to a one-run lead in the eighth inning, but Huston Street shut the Indians down in the bottom of the ninth. Street did allow a deep fly ball to right field by Grady Sizemore, but Seth Smith got the ball at the warning track. Lindstrom picked up the win and Street recorded his 21st victory.
This series continues at 5:05 p.m. MT on Tuesday. Jhoulys Chacin and Mitch Talbot are the scheduled starters.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Check out Let's Go Tribe and SB Nation Cleveland for more on the Indians.