• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Reds take series opener in Colorado

Sep 10, 2011 - 7:17 AM Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Ryan Hanigan hit a two-run single during a four- run sixth inning, as the Cincinnati Reds took down the Colorado Rockies, 4-1, in the opener of a three-game series.

Paul Janish drove in a run for the Reds, who got 7 2/3 solid innings from starter Homer Bailey. Bailey (8-7) gave up one run on six hits to go along with six strikeouts.

The Reds had lost 10 in a row in the Rocky Mountains. Friday's win was Cincinnati's first at Coors Field since August 22, 2008.

Chris Nelson hit a homer for the Rockies, who have lost two in a row and four of five overall.

Jhoulys Chacin (11-11) allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 frames to take the loss. He struck out three and walked two.

Nelson broke a scoreless tie with a blast to center in the third. The Rockies went on to put runners on the corners with two outs, but Todd Helton flied out.

Colorado left men in scoring position in the fourth and fifth. Seth Smith got things started in the fourth with a one-out infield single. Smith stole second and advanced to third on catcher Hanigan's throwing error, but was thrown out at the plate on Wilin Rosario's grounder. Nelson was intentionally walked to put men on first and second. Chacin flied out to end the threat.

Dexter Fowler led off the fifth with single, moved to second on Bailey's throwing error on a pickoff attempt and advanced to third on Mark Ellis' groundout. Carlos Gonzalez was not happy after he struck out swinging. Gonzalez and Colorado manager Jim Tracy were both ejected by home plate umpire Mark Carlson. Helton grounded out to end the threat.

The Reds scored all the runs they would need in the sixth. Dave Sappelt reached base when he grounded into a fielder's choice. Joey Votto followed with a single to right. Smith and Nelson both committed an error on the play to allow a run to score. Jay Bruce walked and Matt Reynolds came in from the bullpen. Votto advanced to third on a wild pitch and Josh Roenicke took over on the mound with two outs.

Drew Stubbs walked to load the bases. Hanigan knocked in two runs with a single to center. Janish followed with an RBI single to left for a 4-0 lead.

"He's come up with some real clutch hits, especially two-out RBI hits," Reds manager Dusty Baker said of Hanigan. "That was the difference tonight. That was huge."

The Rockies left men on first and second in the eighth.

Francisco Cordero tossed a perfect ninth for his 32nd save of the season.

"One run isn't going to get you very far," Tracy said.

Game Notes

Cordero's 322 career saves are the most by any pitcher from the Dominican Republic...Bailey improved to 1-2 in five career starts against the Rockies...Colorado was without shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (left hip)...The Rockies went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine.