Wigginton single gives Rockies first extra-inning win
Troy Tulowitzki scored from first on a two-out single in the bottom of the 13th inning to give the Colorado Rockies their first extra-inning win and first walkoff win of the season, 3-2 over the Chicago White Sox.
Tulowitzki, who walked with one out in the inning, was running on a 3-2 pitch to Ty Wigginton from White Sox reliever Will Ohman. Wigginton blooped a ball into shallow center that White Sox center fielder Brent Lillebridge was slow to return to the infield. Tulowitzki scored easily when the eventual throw from Lillibridge ended up well short of home.
The win rewarded a stellar performance by the Rockies bullpen, which allowed just three runners in six shutout innings in relief of Jason Hammel. Rex Brothers, the sixth reliever of the night, picked up his first major-league win after a one-two-three top of the 13th. He was preceded by Matt Lindstrom, Rafael Betancourt, Matt Reynolds, Huston Street and Matt Belisle, all of whom threw one inning.
Hammel pitched an efficient seven innings and ran into serious trouble in only one. With the game tied 1-1 in the fifth, Hammel allowed a single and a walk — on four pitches to pitcher Gavin Floyd — with one out before a Juan Pierre double put the White Sox up 2-1. After another walk to Brent Morel to load the bases, Hammel got an inning-ending double-play grounder from Carlos Quentin to escape further damage.
Hammel needed 23 pitches to get through the fifth but only 59 for his other six innings. He allowed six hits and walked two in his seven innings and struck out no one. White Sox starter Floyd had a nearly identical pitching line in his six innings. The only difference: Hammel’s first run came on a solo home run by Alexei Ramirez, while the Rockies didn’t homer off Floyd.
Rockies hitters had few chances against the White Sox starter. The Rockies’ first run came with a two-out rally in the fourth. Todd Helton singled, Tulowitzki walked and Seth Smith singled to scored Helton. Smith drove in the Rockies’ second run as well, scoring Chris Nelson with a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
The Rockies’ win snapped a three-game losing streak and was the first time in five chance they have won in extra innings.
Impressive work by the bullpen (both teams). Tulo relaxes, takes a walk and then runs harrd on a blooper. Basic, fundamental small ball. 3-2 on a hot dry night at Coors. Good game.
I’ll take any W. Our bullpen was worked, but not overworked. Heck, it was 13 innings…you’re going to have to use the BP and that’s what they get paid to do. I thought Chicago used its bullpen well for an AL team.
Nice send home by 3B coach at the end. Go for it at that point in the game and good read by Tulo to create the chance.
We’re almost at .500 again. I hate to admit again I will be happy with that at the ASB.
Just got in from the long train ride home. Coors to Arapahoe seems to take ages in a packed train.
Well, that was a hair puller, head shaker and eye roller from the offense, but the bullpen was marvelous. Hammell frustrated me big time, but he escaped.
Happy for the win, but in the end the day was a net loss since SF swept the Cubs. Just can’t find any help from the other teams can we?
Well I had a good time in sec 117. Some real fans today of both the Rox and Sox.
Unlike most of you, I’m a Hammel fan. Fantastic pitching again except for the two walks in that one inning. Only had about 85 pitches through seven. I wasn’t too happy when he was pulled with 2 outs and bases empty in bottom of 7th.
Another quality start for Hammel which I believe is by far most on the staff. Bullpen has huge advantage over the Chisox pen since all relievers only threw less than 15 pitches. Thornton and Ohlman are likely unavailable tomorrow as is Sales.
I can’t believe we won after all the blown chances.All those HR’s on the road and none tonight-go figure.Has anyone else noticed how Tulo seems to be out on his front foot too soon-thus all the ground outs and DP balls.Seems like league is feeding him alot of off speed sliders,splitters,etc.Second in the league in hitting into DP’s,but first in turning DP’s[I think-guessing].Also his desire actually won the game with true heads up baserunning tonight.
IMO the season turned on the Cubs loss. That’s a team we should beat (the Giants did, twice yesterday). No way we’re catching SF or Arizona. I’m a fan, but now I’m going to enjoy the individual games, the environment, the hot dogs. Not going to worry about or expect the playoffs.
Is DOD thinking of buying or selling at the deadline? I’m not sure we have much to sell except the guys we wont sell, the ones on long-term contracts.
I agree with Steve that Lillebridge was pretty nonchalant getting to that ball and that cost the Sox the game. It’s nice to take advantage of the other team’s mistakes for a change.
I like DRH’s attitude to enjoy the win for what it is worth – a win – and not get stressed by the standings. I’m relieved they finally got a walk-off. That wasn’t so hard now was it fellas?
DRH…
Going to the game and just enjoying the “environment” and/or the “fare” that is offered as concessions is why Coors Field has no energy; except for the opposing team’s fans…of which there are always an alarming amount.
DRH…nice post, and correct.
Gibson has got the D-Backs playing the way he used to play and the Giants have that pitching staff. As I’ve said numerous times, I’m hoping for the best but not expecting it, as I did coming out of spring training.
If we could get to 85 wins this year I(at present)will be O.K. with that.
We still have a good team with some very exciting players and we have Major League Baseball in our backyard, AND, it’s not the DH-addled American League.
DOD should go. What a flop he is as a GM. The talent he has squandered, the lost opportunities. The Rockies will always be pretenders as long as DOD is in town. Bet on it.
but he seems like a nice guy
Rocky, your last clause if funny. The problem with trying to criticize this team is you always have to use that clause, or else. “EY is a lousy baseball player, but he seems like a nice guy.” Or, “Fowler — seems like a nice guy — shouldn’t be hitting from the left side.”
That said, I don’t know that DOD is doing a bad job. We’re lucky to have Wigginton (I was too quick to criticize him) since Stewart tanked. The fact that some guys (Stewart, Fowler) have so far failed to live up to their potential or that injuries have killed the starting pitching (DLR and Rogers) is hard to pin on the GM.
Most of the commentators on this site, including me, thought this team was built for great success. The Rockies’ mediocrity is not one guy or the coach or the GM’s fault. It’s a team failure that is so disappointing to watch.
If they go on an 10-3 run leading up to the break, we’ll all be looking at the standings again with that hope for October baseball.
“The Rockies’ mediocrity is not one guy or the coach or the GM’s fault. It’s a team failure that is so disappointing to watch.”
Makes you wonder though, doesn’t it Colorado Thistle? What’s that cloud that keeps these players stuck in a revolving door of mediocrity? How can so many show success one year and then forget how to play the bleeping game the next? Why is situational hitting such a tough thing to master? Why does Hammel always have “that” inning, and how did Ubaldo’s mechanics get so screwed up? Sure, it’s all part of baseball and I’m pretty sure this is why the big dollar teams would rather pay for proven talent than invest in home grown talent. But still, Leo Durocher’s words continue to haunt me: “Nice guys, finish last.”
Hi guys, Instead of saying “he’s a nice guy” I think the wording you’re looking for is: Bless his heart people say the nasty things about a person and qualify if with a bless his/her heart. That said there is something in the water or air or whatever that makes this team very so-so. Look at all the players we have let go that are doing great for other teams or if not great at least helping that team win. Why did DOD figure they could not be a Rockie? Makes one wonder, I am not very keen on our manager either, bless his heart.
The “nice guys” comments are really annoying to me since it makes no sense to even talk about it. The Rox went to the post season with the nice guys not once but twice. Or would you rather have bad guys like a Milton Bradley or a Manny Ramirez?
It’s also bothering me when some of us have thrown in the towel on the season. Remember the Buster Douglas – Mike Tyson fight? I, like Tulo and Helton, still expect to win despite reality staring us down. This is the attitude fans, players, and coaches have to take in showing support of the Rockies.
Yea, what Liz said.
I don’t think we need guys like Milton or Manny, bless their hearts. They might provide a spark for a week, but then back to the same old same old.
I wouldn’t mind a more outspoken, controversial manager, but this is Denver not Chicago.