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Paulsen's 2-run single lifts Rockies over Diamondbacks, 5-4

Sep 1, 2015 - 5:18 AM DENVER (AP) The Colorado Rockies struggled to get the big hit with runners on base all game. Down to their last outs, they finally came through.

Pinch-hitter Ben Paulsen hit a two-out, two-run single and the Rockies rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Monday night.

Charlie Blackmon had three hits and finished a home run short of the cycle for the Rockies, who snapped a three-game home losing streak.

The Rockies were held in check by Arizona starter Robbie Ray and two relievers before rallying in the ninth off closer Brad Ziegler (0-3).

''We've done that all year,'' Paulsen said. ''It almost seems like when the closers come in we kind of step our game up and everybody hones in. Our lineup is dangerous.''

Colorado was 0 for 15 with runners in scoring position when their bats came alive in the ninth. After Jose Reyes' double down the right-field line put runners at second and third, Nolan Arenado hit a two-run double off the top of the fence in left to pull the Rockies within a run. One out later Ziegler's errant throw to first on DJ LeMahieu's comebacker put the winning run at second.

''That was definitely the worst pitch I threw,'' Ziegler said of Arenado's hit. ''But even then, I had a chance on the chopper back to me and lost it in the lights, believe it or not. Then when I went to pick it up, I rolled my left ankle so I tried to spin and throw on one foot. It probably wasn't the smartest decision. I should've just ate the ball and kept it first and second.''

Nick Hundley walked to load the bases, finishing Ziegler. Matt Reynolds came on and Paulsen sent an 0-2 pitch up the middle to give Colorado the win.

''The guys kept fighting,'' Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. ''It seemed like we had some missed opportunities throughout but guys kept fighting and Benny gets a big hit.''

It was his second walk-off hit of the season.

''I dug myself a hole, he left one up and I handled it,'' Paulsen said.

Simon Castro (2-0) got the win after two hitless innings of relief.

A.J. Pollock homered and Chris Owings had three hits for the Diamondbacks.

Ray allowed one run and five hits and tied a season high with eight strikeouts but remains winless since beating Texas on July 7.

Ray threw 102 pitches while working out of a couple of big jams. In the fourth he stranded a runner at third with one out and in the fifth he retired Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez after issuing two one-out walks.

He faltered in the sixth when he gave up a single and hit a batter with two outs. Randall Delgado came on and got pinch-hitter Kyle Parker to fly out to end the inning.

Colorado's Chad Bettis allowed four runs and 11 hits in his second start since coming off the disabled list. He allowed three runs in the third on Ender Inciarte's RBI single and Pollock's two-run homer.

Colorado got one back in the bottom of the inning when Blackmon led off with a triple and scored on Reyes' groundout.

Paul Goldschmidt doubled and scored on David Peralta's single in the fifth to make it 4-1.

Ziegler, who had converted 22 consecutive save opportunities, couldn't close it out.

''It was a win we felt like we should've had,'' Pollock said. ''We could've scrapped (for) more runs. You never want to go that many innings without scoring runs. It just didn't feel great going into that last inning, and it came back to haunt us.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: 2B Aaron Hill didn't play for the second straight game due to a hand injury. Manager Chip Hale said Hill could be back for Tuesday's doubleheader.

Rockies: 1B Justin Morneau (concussion symptoms) is on a rehab assignment with Double-A New Britain and could rejoin the team Thursday. If he checks out, Morneau, who hasn't played since mid-May, could be activated at that time.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (3-3, 3.78) will get the ball in the first game of Tuesday's split doubleheader. RHP Rubby De La Rosa (11-6, 4.46) will pitch the second game.

Rockies: LHP Yohan Flande (3-1, 4.09) starts the first game while RHP Kyle Kendrick (4-12, 6.43) will return from the 15-day DL for the second game. Kendrick has been out since Aug. 1 with right shoulder inflammation.