Prospects looked dim for the Colorado Rockies early in Friday night's game vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks, but no lead is ever safe in Coors Field, and the Rockies were able to pull off a 7-6 victory despite a disaster start from Juan Nicasio.
Nicasio gave up six earned runs in 2.2 innings thanks to five hits and five walks before getting pulled in favor of Esmil Rogers, but the Rockies didn't make life any easier for Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson, who gave up six earned runs and 10 hits in only 3.2 innings of work. The game was tied at six heading into the top of the fifth, but both teams' middle relievers were able to shut off the seemingly endless supply of runs.
At least until the bottom of the eighth, that is, when the Rockies scratched out what would be the game winning run. Carlos Gonzalez got things going with one out when he singled off reliever Brian Shaw, who would soon make a fatal mistake. With Gonzalez leading off first, Shaw attempted to pick off the Rockies centerfielder, but he whipped the ball past Arizona first basemen Paul Goldschmidt, allowing Gonzalez to advance to third.
Shaw would then strike out Troy Tulowitzki, but with two out, Todd Helton dropped a double right inside the left field line. Gonzalez scored, and the run was the third one batted in on the night by Helton, who was responsible for both Colorado's game tying and game winning runs.
The two teams will go at it again on Saturday at 6:10 p.m MT.
For more on these teams, visit Rockies blog Purple Row and Diamondbacks blog AZ Snake Pit. Head over to MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the majors.