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Culbersons' 2-run shot powers Rockies over Mets

May 4, 2014 - 7:21 AM Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Charlie Culberson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to catapult the Colorado Rockies to an 11-10 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday.

Troy Tulowitzki singled to lead off the ninth. After Nolan Arenado popped up to center, Culberson smashed a 1-2 fastball from Kyle Farnsworth (0-2) over the center field fence.

"I don't hit many home runs, but for some reason right there I hit it and I just knew it had to go out," said Culberson. "It was a great feeling."

Arenado hit a grand slam and Jordan Pacheco added two hits and an RBI for the Rockies, who have won six of seven. Charlie Blackmon, Drew Stubbs, Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Wheeler all drove in a run.

Rockies starter Franklin Morales allowed six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits while fanning five in five frames. LaTroy Hawkins (1-0) earned the win after Culberson pinch-hit for him in the ninth.

Daniel Murphy had four hits and three runs scored and Chris Young, Curtis Granderson and Anthony Recker had two hits and two RBI apiece for the Mets, who saw starter Jenrry Mejia get touched for eight runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings.

"We fought back time and again tonight," said Mets manager Terry Collins. "We swung the bats very well."

In the top of the ninth, Hawkins yielded a two-out RBI single to Juan Lagares, who drove in Eric Young Jr. to give the Mets a 10-9 lead. Bobby Abreu doubled and Young Jr. came in to pinch-run a batter before the Lagares' single.

Hawkins ended up loading the bases, but got Young to line out to end the threat.

Earlier, the Mets put up three runs in the first. Murphy tripled before Wright doubled to plate him. Chris Young was walked and Reckers hit a single that brought Wright in to score. Lucas Duda then singled home Young.

New York added three more in the third. Wright hit a leadoff single and stole second before a groundout sent him to third. Granderson plated Wright with a single and after a wild pitch, Recker doubled home Granderson. An Arenado error allowed Recker to score, making the cushion six runs after three.

Colorado broke through in the fifth in a big way. Wheeler set the tone, going deep to open the inning. Pacheco singled, DJ LeMahieu walked and Brandon Barnes hit into a fielder's choice setting runners on the corners. Blackmon and Stubbs hit back-to-back singles to plate Pacheco and Barnes, repectively.

Later in the inning Carlos Gonzalez singled before Tulowitzki was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Arenado then hit a grand slam to put the Rockies ahead 8-6 to cap the big inning.

The Mets knotted the game at 8-8 in the sixth. Young drove in Murphy with a double before Granderson plated Young with a single.

In the seventh, Pacheco plated Tulowitzki with a sacrifice fly to center to give Colorado a 9-8 lead.

Murphy doubled to leadoff the eighth and after a Wright strikeout, Young singled in Murphy to knot the game at 9-9.

Game Notes

Justin Morneau had a 13-game home hitting streak snapped ... Arenado extended his hitting streak to 23 games ... New York went 9-for-21 with runners in scoring position, stranding 12 men ... Lagares extended his hitting streak to 12 games ... The Rockies went 5-for-9 with RISP and left six men on base.