Black Day for D-Backs: Even Uniform Change Fails to Stop Amazing Streak By Colorado

Oct 13, 04:04 AM

Current Headlines: By Bruce Pascoe, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

Oct. 13--PHOENIX -- For a second straight night, the Diamondbacks found out that luck is not the only factor behind the Colorado Rockies' scorching play.

Forcing the Rockies out of their "lucky" black uniforms by wearing black tops themselves, the D-backs lost 3-2 to Colorado in the 11th inning of Game 2 in the National League Championship Series while the Rockies wore gray jerseys -- and played smart, opportunistic baseball.

The Rockies had worn black since their last lost, on Sept. 28 to the D-backs at Coors Field. They have won 19 of 20 games since Sept. 16.

D-backs closer Jose Valverde walked in the winning run on four pitches in the 11th inning, having clearly lost his control while being stretched into a rare two-inning appearance. He had given up an infield single by Ryan Spilborghs and two walks to load the bases and, after the winning run scored, Doug Slaten recorded the final out.

"He's gotten through a lot of jams over the course of the season," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said, referring to Valverde. "We're going to give it to him."

Now, Arizona will probably need more than just luck to somehow get to the World Series. They will head to Colorado today to resume the series in Game 3 Sunday, down 0-2, with Brandon Webb and Doug Davis both having lost despite solid pitching efforts. Monday's Game 4 and Wednesday's Game 5, if necessary, are also scheduled to be played in Denver.

Arizona will play Games 3, 4 and a possible Game 5 in Colorado, with Game 3 scheduled for Sunday at Coors Field. D-back right-hander Livan Hernandez is scheduled to start against Colorado right-hander Josh Fogg.

"We've come back from some difficult circumstances this year," Melvin said. "It's only two games, they have to get four to win."

Much like they did it during a 5-1 Game 1 victory on Thursday, the Rockies took advantage of mistakes and scraped together just enough offense to get by. They scored two runs off Davis despite getting only one extra-base hit off him, a soft fly ball into left-center by Willie Taveras.

The D-backs left 15 runners on base entering the ninth, but still might have won the game in the ninth if not for a baserunning error by Stephen Drew. With one out, Chris Young was hit by a pitch and Drew singled to right-center, moving Young to third.

But when Eric Byrnes hit a grounder up the middle, Rockies second baseman Kaz Matsui failed to get a sliding Drew out in time -- and Drew inexplicably got up and jogged off the bag despite motion from second base umpire Tom Hallion indicating that he was safe. With Drew off the bag, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki threw to third baseman Garrett Atkins to tag out Drew.

"He just assumed he was out, and took his eye off the umpire," Melvin said. "Unfortunately that happened. When he slid in there it was like you assume you're just going in there to break it up."

Young scored on the play to tie the game at 2-2 but a fielder's choice ground ball from Tony Clark then ended the inning and the game went into the 10th.

Colorado held a 2-1 advantage from the fifth to the ninth innings. The Rockies took advantage of a fielding error by Mark Reynolds to score an unearned run in the second, then pieced together another run in the fifth on two singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly.

Rockies centerfielder Willie Taveras singlehandedly kept the Diamondbacks from tying the game in the seventh inning with a diving catch of a deep fly ball from Tony Clark, with Eric Byrnes on first base and two outs.

The D-backs failed to score in the fifth inning despite loading the bases.

With runners on first and second, Eric Byrnes struck out when he chased a low pitch and popped it foul to catcher Yorvit Torrealba for the second out. Then, after Tony Clark was intentionally walked, Mark Reynolds lunged at a third strike -- and first base umpire Larry Vanover ruled that he went around on it.

The Rockies took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth by stringing together two ground-ball singles and a walk from D-backs starter Doug Davis. Willie Taveras walked to lead off the inning, advanced to third on a single and fly out, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Todd Helton.

Both starting pitchers left the game with similar lines after five innings. Davis allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out five and walking four. Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez gave up one run on five hits while striking out six and walking four.

In the third inning, Diamondbacks fans booed the umpires again but this time did not toss trash on the field.

Young singled home Davis, who doubled to center field, to score the D-backs' first run in the third inning. But Young was later thrown out stealing second base by umpire Tom Hallion. Replays indicated Young touched the ankle of Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and the base before Tulowitzki tagged him.

In the second inning, Reynolds let a ground ball from Helton pass right through his legs and Helton scored after the Rockies singled twice off D-back left-hander Doug Davis. Davis struck out two batters in a row before the run scored.

The D-backs failed to match the score in the second despite getting a leadoff double to center from Clark. Rockies starter Jimenez struck out Reynolds and Jeff Salazar and then, after walking Chris Snyder, struck out Augie Ojeda on a 3-2 pitch.

Manager Bob Melvin made two lineup changes Friday against Rockies right-hander Jimenez, starting the switch-hitting Tony Clark at first base in the cleanup spot, while inserting former Rockie outfielder Jeff Salazar in right over Justin Upton.

Red Sox topple Tribe

--Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia gives up eight earned runs in a duel with fellow Cy Young candidate Josh Beckett as Boston wins Game 1 of the ALCS in a rout.

NLCS GLANCE --All games on TBS

Thursday Colorado 5, Arizona 1

FRIDAY Colorado 3, Arizona 2 (11 inn.) Colorado leads series 2-0

Sunday Arizona (Hernandez 11-11) at Colorado (Fogg 10-9), 5:37 p.m.

Monday Arizona (Owings 8-8) at Colorado (Morales 3-2), 7:18 p.m.

Wednesday Arizona (Webb, 18-10) at Colorado, 5:37 p.m.*

Oct. 19 Colorado at Arizona, 5:37 p.m.*

Oct. 20 Colorado at Arizona, TBD*

* If necessary

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