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Giambi leads Rockies over Indians

Jun 21, 2011 - 4:20 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Jason Giambi belted a three-run homer to cap a six-run fifth inning, Charlie Blackmon scored the eventual game-winning run in the eighth on a throwing error, and the Colorado Rockies held on to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 8-7, in the opener of a three-game series.

Troy Tulowitzki drove in three runs while Carlos Gonzalez went 3-for-5 and scored twice for Colorado, which got its fifth win in six games.

Matt Lindstrom (2-1) picked up the win after tossing a scoreless sixth inning, while starter Juan Nicasio allowed six runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 frames.

Travis Hafner had a three-run homer, Carlos Santana notched a solo shot and Shin-Soo Choo drove in a pair of runs for the Indians, who were 6-0 in interleague games this season entering Monday, including a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh over the weekend.

Fausto Carmona (4-9), who posted a troubling 8.33 earned-run average over his previous seven starts, allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. He yielded nine hits and walked two.

Carmona had a devastating fifth inning to erase Cleveland's 4-1 lead. Oddly, he got the first two outs rather easily, inducing groundballs from Ty Wigginton and Blackmon.

However, control became an issue for Carmona when he walked Chris Iannetta and surrendered consecutive singles by Gonzalez and Chris Nelson to load the bases. Carmona continued his control problems when he walked Todd Helton to bring home Iannetta unchallenged.

Meanwhile, luck started to sway toward the Rockies while the bases remained jammed. Tulowitzki hit a high chopper down the third base line and the ball clipped the back corner of the bag and bounced near the rolled-up tarp for a two-run double to tie the game at 4-4.

Giambi put the final nail in Carmona's outing with a three-run blast over the center field wall.

"My first couple at-bats I was crawling out of my skin," Giambi said. "I get a chance to take a few at-bats tonight, and by the third one, I calmed down. I was happy to contribute and get the ballclub a win."

The Indians came charging back, though. With the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth, Choo hit a blooper into shallow center to bring around two runs and cut the deficit to 7-6.

Colorado added an insurance run in the eighth as Lou Marson's pickoff attempt sailed over first base and allowed Blackmon to score from second.

The insurance run proved to be needed after the Indians drew within one in the eighth. Santana scored on a single from Cord Phelps, who was then tagged out while trying advance to second.

Huston Street pitched the ninth for the Rockies to get his 21st save of the season.

"Usually when you score this many runs you win," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "That fifth inning killed us. It's too bad because Fausto was throwing the ball so good."

Colorado struck first during their opening at-bat when Tulowitzki laced a line drive into left to plate Gonzalez.

However, The Indians would respond with a three-run homer from Hafner to go up 3-1. Santana then sneaked a home run just inside the right foul pole during the fourth for his 10th home run and a 4-1 Indians lead.

Game Notes

The Rockies swept a three-game series from the Indians in Denver back in 2008. With Monday's win, Colorado improved to 2-5 all-time at Progressive Field...Both teams had 12 hits...Colorado left seven men on base and were 6- for-14 with runners in scoring position.